The aforementioned project will be implemented in five phases, over a period that should take between eight and 10 years. After completing all phases of the project, the factory will be capable of producing aluminum ingots, aluminum alloy ingots, among others.
"Once the entire industrial chain has been completed, the project in its final phase will produce aluminum ingots, aluminum alloy ingots, aluminum tram poles, aluminum rods, aluminum sheets, aluminum rolls and other products, with the involvement of a total investment of around 1.6 billion dollars, covering an area of around 10 square kilometers, generating around 12 thousand jobs and revenue that could be around three billion dollars", informed the provincial government of Bengo, in a statement to which VerAngola had access.
The first phase of the project, with an investment of approximately 250 million dollars, will come into operation next year and will be capable of producing around 120 thousand tons of electrolytic aluminum per year, "generating 250 million dollars in revenue annually and employing around 1200 workers, of which 1000 are nationals".
"The second phase will be completed and will come into operation within four years with an investment of 450 million dollars", the note said.
The implementation of the first two phases of the project - which is the result of bilateral cooperation between Angola and China, within the scope of the "construction of the Aluminum Industrial Park in Angola, materialized by Huatong Angola Industry, Lda, which is an association of the companies HT International Trading Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Huatong Holding (Sea) Pte Ltd, both subsidiaries of Hebei Huatong Wire & Cable Group Co. and China Ltd" - will generate approximately 3500 jobs for Angolan workers, and will have an "estimated production of worth more than 500 million dollars".
On the occasion, the Secretary of State for Industry, Carlos Manuel de Carvalho Rodrigues, who presided over the ceremony, highlighted that "this important and significant investment undoubtedly materializes another notable milestone in the Angola and China economic cooperation agenda".
Quoted in the statement, the official highlighted the "important role of the manufacturing industry" at a time when the country is seeking to diversify its economy.
The Secretary of State, "who guaranteed the institutional support of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for this project", also took the opportunity to praise the "institutional support provided by the Executive bodies, specifically to AIPEX and the Sociedade de Desenvolvimento da Barra do Dande (SDBD) in combining efforts and aligning with the project promoters".
Edson Cruz, vice-governor for Technical Services and Infrastructures, who witnessed the ceremony, was satisfied with the benefits of this project to promote employment and develop the province of Bengo.
Quoted in the statement, the person responsible reiterated "the availability of the Bengo provincial government for institutional support in the continuation of this project".
In turn, Zhang Wendong, PCA of Hebei Huatong Wire & Cable Group Co., Ltd, clarified that the decision to invest in an aluminum industrial park in Angola was based on the functioning of Angolan government departments and job creation initiatives. Quoted by Angop, he said that they are looking to develop a lasting partnership, promote broad collaboration, as well as respect Angolan laws and traditions.
Joaquim Piedade, PCA of the Barra do Dande Free Trade Zone Development Society, was pleased to bring the fourth largest aluminum producer to the country and that the next stage involves sending Angolan technicians to China to receive training and work from next year onwards.
Zhang Bin, Chinese ambassador to Angola, hopes that the aforementioned industrial park will attract more companies from China to invest in the country.
"We hope that the Angolan government can continue to improve the investment environment, offer necessary support and facilities for Chinese companies that have investments in Angola and create a safer, more open and fair market competition environment", said the diplomat Chinese, who, cited by Angop, also reported that the new summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will take place in September.
According to Angop, the company estimates that it will export more than half of its production (above 80 percent), enabling the generation of at least 400 million dollars per year in foreign exchange for Angola, promoting the generation of jobs and increased tax revenue collection and the industrial growth of the country, with a positive impact on the entire economy.
