Catumbela:At least 15 industrial units are presently under construction in the first phase of the Catumbela Industrial Development Zone (PDIC) in Benguela Province, announced Miguel Etossi Correia, the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the PDIC currently hosts 30 operational industries out of a total of 105 established companies. Among the ongoing constructions, one industrial unit is set for inauguration on November 11, coinciding with the 51st anniversary of National Independence.
Correia pointed out the increasing interest from business groups in investing within the industrial zone, attributing this to the influence of the Lobito Corridor, which has spurred industrial growth and enhanced the region's appeal for new projects. Investors are actively seeking plots for factory construction, with recent interest from a new investor keen on establishing operations at the PDIC.
To accommodate this growth, a project to enhance the zone's infrastructure is being prepared. The first phase of this project is set to begin soon, with a later phase planned for the Biópio area. Improving infrastructure is a priority to meet business interest and provide suitable conditions for industrial operations.
However, unauthorised land occupation within the PDIC poses challenges, as it hinders the zone's expansion. The land, spanning 2,000 hectares, is divided into plots for industrial projects but is not yet physically demarcated. Such encroachments reduce available plots for industrial use and complicate financing for the project's expansion.
The land is an asset of the Angolan Industrial Development Institute (IDIA), and its unauthorised occupation represents a loss of public assets, limiting opportunities for new factories. The second phase of the project in Biópio faces delays due to financing issues from Saudi Arabia, with funds awaited to resume work and a consultancy firm expected to manage procedures.
The PDIC currently employs approximately 3,800 workers. The administration reviews statistical indicators annually to track industrial activity and its employment contribution, anticipating an increase in the workforce by the year's end as new units become operational.
