Africa-Press – Angola. At least 20 thousand people visited the 13th Edition of the Benguela International Fair (FIB) – 2024, which took place from the 22nd to the 26th of May, at the Ombaka National Stadium.
The number of visitors reflects an increase of around 7 thousand visits compared to the 2023 edition, which had a registration of 13,500 people.
The justification for the increase in the number of visits in this edition, which took place under the motto “Driving potential to transform the economy”, lies in the fact that one day of exhibition was also increased, going from 4 to 5.
The administrator of the Eventos Arena business group, Manuel Novais, explained, when taking stock of the event, that the results of the 13th Edition of the FIB, which ended yesterday, are positive.
“For this edition, another day was increased, compared to the last edition, to favor families, with the creation of the amusement park, which was very visited”, he stated, highlighting that the objective was to allow families to visit the fair.
On the first day (Wednesday), he highlighted, the visits were mostly from institutions that accompanied the provincial governor of Benguela, Luís Nunes, who did and gave the organization and guests the honor of visiting all the stands.
Qualifications were limited to contacts already made. There were some companies that had already been contacted to be present, do business and establish medium and long-term contracts.
On the last two days of the event (Saturday and Sunday), the organization opened its doors to families, thus marking days of intense visits and a lot of work, as a vehicle was drawn.
The source said that, based on the reality experienced and illustrated by the exhibitors, contacts were made and there were good results in terms of sales.
After the end of this edition, work is already underway for the next one and the organization’s satisfaction lies in the fact that more than 95 percent of participating companies have already confirmed their presence in the next edition, ensuring that some companies have already expressed an increase in their area. The companies that occupied nine square meters in this edition now want more square meters for the next edition.
Representativeness
Companies operating in the agribusiness, industry and transformation sectors were very well represented, in addition to services.
The presence of banking, it was also highlighted, allows the survival of any company, with financing.
For this edition, he indicated, there was a positive presence of most banks, synonymous with the province of Benguela being very interesting for this segment (banking).
“The bank was present at FIB with the aim of informing the investment projects they have for companies, specific products for development”, he said.
Employment increased
At least 2 thousand jobs, both direct and indirect, were generated by the organization of the 13th Edition of the Benguela International Fair (FIB).
The manager said that in addition to the direct and indirect jobs generated by the organization, the exhibitors also created other jobs.
Solution for agribusiness
Solar panels for farms, water pumps, public lighting with appropriate solutions for agribusiness were presented by the company SISTEC, during the 13th Edition of the Benguela International Fair.
The company’s director in Benguela, Emanuel Rodrigues, said that during the event there was a lot of interest from businesspeople, exhibitors and the general population in learning about the solutions presented.
According to the person responsible, the solutions contribute to the reduction of operational costs, which, if well used by companies operating in the agribusiness sector, create advantages, including the reduction of costs linked to energy.
In the Energy sector, the solutions are ecological and contribute to reducing the ecological footprint, especially in rural areas.
“On farms, the current solution is the use of fuel generators, which are polluting the environment”, he clarified, adding that, with these solutions, “we contribute to reducing this pollution”.
Regarding telecommunications, SISTEC presented a satellite Internet solution (Vsat system) during FIB.
This system, said the source, allows access to the Internet in any part of Angola, especially in places where traditional providers are not yet implemented.
Companies showed potential
Companies operating in the agribusiness sector made a big appearance at the 13th edition of the Benguela International Fair (FIB).
Among the companies, press found, is INDU-Agri Angola, headquartered in the commune of Dombe Grande, municipality of Baía Farta, province of Benguela.
The company’s owner, António Noé, validated the event, which according to him, served to exchange experiences and find new buyers. At FIB, the company presented vegetables (onion, tomato and gindungo), and in fruits it brought watermelon and melon. The farm has 31 permanent workers and 170 casual workers.
Sales could increase, based on the demand registered, especially from buyers in large supermarkets, not only in Benguela, but also in Luanda, Huíla and others.
Currently, the company INDU-Agri works in an area of 60 hectares for vegetables, beans and corn.
At Dombe Grande, he indicated, production is carried out all year round. There is little rain in Dombe Grande, but the water table is permanent, which makes it easier to use the fertigation system (drip).
On average, he explained, the company harvests more than a thousand tons of various products, including corn, beans, tomatoes, onions and fruit during the year. The concern lies in the lack of energy and logistics for product conservation, to meet the shortage phases to regulate the market.
The manager praised the Angolan Executive’s programs, which aim to finance agribusiness, despite never having benefited from it, ensuring that it is one of those contemplated, because it has been running, with the Angola Development Bank (BDA), for more than three years your order.
The producer, well known in the province of Benguela, as one of the largest bean producers, said that with the financing, it will be possible to build cold stores for conservation, calibration and treatment of production, to guarantee a healthy and sustainable diet.
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