Luanda: President Joo Louren§o announced on Monday that the newly inaugurated Luanda Convention Centre is a significant development for Angola, meeting the nation's growing need for advanced facilities capable of hosting major international events. The President emphasized that this marks a substantial step toward enhancing Angola's openness to the world.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Head of State expressed his satisfaction at the completion of the project, which was long overdue due to the increasing number of international gatherings in Angola. Previously, the country often relied on temporary tents and hotel facilities to accommodate large events, but the new Convention Centre will provide a dedicated space for conferences and related activities.
President Louren§o highlighted the state-of-the-art working conditions and comfort offered by the complex, which includes 12 meeting rooms-four more than initially planned-and an amphitheatre with a capacity of 3,000 people. This facility is expected to play a crucial role in hosting the upcoming African Union Summit.
The President also pointed out the importance of attracting international events to the centre, a task he believes lies with the Executive, particularly the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism. He noted that several international organizations have already shown interest in the facility, having visited it during its final construction stages.
He further stressed the need for increased private investment in the hotel sector to address the shortage of accommodation in Luanda, essential for hosting major event participants. The private development planned around the Convention Centre includes hotels and restaurants, although the President urged for a broader expansion throughout the city.
President Louren§o affirmed Angola's readiness to attract private investment in tourism, citing improvements in the business environment, anti-corruption efforts, and visa exemptions for citizens from around 90 countries as factors increasing investor confidence. He noted that these improvements are part of ongoing reforms aimed at facilitating business operations.
The Luanda Convention Centre, a three-storey complex, now joins the network of national infrastructures aimed at bolstering Angola's capacity to host large-scale events and promote business tourism. It features a multi-purpose theatre, conference hall, multifunctional rooms, and various event spaces, contributing to the country's strategy to enhance its international profile and promote events tourism.
