The award comprises three categories, with three winners in each. Thus, according to a statement from INAPEM, to which VerAngola had access, in the 'Micro Companies' category, the winners were Diombe Têxtil, Lda (Cuanza Sul); Qualidade de Vida, Lda (Huíla) and the Sociedade Agrícola Kuolola Vinawaihe, Lda (Moxico).
The second category was 'Small Businesses' and was won by the companies Holísticos – Serviços, Estudos e Consultoria, Lda (Luanda); INDU AGRI Angola, Limitada (Benguela) and MBT, Limitada (Huíla).
The third and final category was 'Medium-Sized Enterprises'. In this category, the winners were Jardins da Yoba, Lda (Huíla); SOAPO, Sociedade Anónima (Luanda) and QUIMICOIL, Lda (Luanda).
The winners of this award, which is an initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in partnership with INAPEM, were announced at a press conference held at the Aníbal de Melo Press Center (CIAM).
According to the INAPEM note, the micro, small and medium-sized companies that won this award "receive public recognition through the delivery of trophies and honorable mentions, valuing excellence and performance in specific categories".
"As a financial incentive, prizes worth 15,000,000 kwanzas are awarded to medium-sized companies, 10,000,000 kwanzas to small companies and 5,000,000 kwanzas to micro companies. In addition, they benefit from a 50 percent reduction in the costs of participating in FILDA and exemption from paying the Made in Angola stamp for one year," the note reads.
In addition, "the awarded companies also have access to business training programs, free participation in the United States-Africa Summit and support to integrate international business missions, promoting their internationalization", as well as "benefit from institutional visibility through priority participation in INAPEM events and the promotion of their products and services on the institution's platforms, expanding their opportunities for growth and expansion".
INAPEM also informs that the official awards ceremony will take place next Thursday, "where a public tribute will be paid to these companies that today represent the best of what is done in the national business fabric".
After the application period had closed and a "rigorous evaluation process conducted by the jury committee, chaired by Redento Pedro Carlos Maia and composed of experts in the areas of economics, management, innovation and sustainability, had taken place, the final report was presented, which revealed that 1404 applications had been received, of which 56 companies were approved for the second phase".
From this process, the note says, "nine companies that stood out the most in the categories of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises were selected, both at provincial and national level".
"The National Award for MSMEs aims to stimulate and recognize the business merit of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Angola, valuing their contribution to the country's economic and social development. This distinction is aligned with measures to support increased national production, access to financing and improvement of the business environment, rewarding companies with a positive impact in areas such as innovation, social and environmental responsibility," the statement also reads.
