In an interview marking Angola's 50th anniversary of independence, Victor Pereira Dias, a CCIPA director for almost 40 years, recalls the founding story of the institution that works to foster trade relations between the two countries.
"I ran Tradingpor, a company that forwarded exports to Angola, and one day Hermínio Escórcio invited me to organize Sonangol's 10th anniversary party," the businessman recalled in a statement to Lusa.
"He sent me the money for the parties, we used it for shows and meetings, but we ended up with money left over, which is rare, and I called him to let him know, but he told me to wait," the businessman recalls.
A few months later, another phone call, but this time Hermínio Escórcio already knew what to do: "Look, let's create a Portugal-Angola Chamber of Commerce," the then-president of Sonangol told him, using the remaining funds to launch this entity dedicated to fostering business between the two countries.
The CCIPA, with 175 Portuguese and Angolan member companies, celebrates its 38th anniversary on July 21st, organizing the traditional meeting of Portuguese and Angolan businesspeople at the Epic Sana Hotel in Luanda, but this time with a different format.
The 'Business Networking 2025' business forum will involve six international chambers of commerce present in Angola, bringing together businesspeople in a series of meetings and gatherings this Monday.
Thus, the Portuguese Chamber is also joined by counterparts from Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Switzerland in organizing the event, which will take place on the eve of the Luanda International Trade Fair (FILDA).
