• GDP: US$61.4 billion (2007).
• Main exports: Crude oil, diamonds, gas, coffee and cotton.
• Main imports: Machinery and electric equipment, food product, textiles and medicines.
• Main trade partners: Portugal, Brazil, France and USA.

Agriculture employs over 50% of the population but production has declined so much that, from being a net exporter, Angola now imports over half its food requirements.

Fishing, which almost ceased to exist, is now being rejuvenated with foreign aid. New oil and gas fields off the shore of Cabinda (an enclave in the north of the country) are being developed. However, Angola has only one refinery and so exports most of its oil in the crude form. The only other industry of any size is diamond mining.

Angola has successfully reduced inflation from 300% in 1999 to 12% in 2007, with growth at 21%.

Lightweight suits are recommended. Many Angolan businesspeople dress casually, wearing open-neck shirts. Any dark colours can be worn for social occasions. As Portuguese is the official language, a knowledge of this is an advantage in business transactions; French and Spanish are also useful. There are limited translation services. Avoid June to September as Angolans tend to take their holidays at this time.

Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0730-1230 and 1430-1830, Fri 1430-1730; some offices open Sat 0830-1230.

Câmara de Comércio e Indústria de Angola (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Largo do Kinaxixi 14, 1 Andar, CP 92, Luanda, Angola
Tel: (2) 444 566.
Website: www.ccia.ebonet.net

The US-Angola Chamber of Commerce in the USA
1100 17th Street, Suite 1000, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 223 0540.
Website: www.us-angola.org