Luanda, 20-24 February 2017 - As follow up of the activities related to Sub-Saharan Africa Region, UNIDO ITPO Italy jointly with other Italian stakeholders, Confimi Industria, Coopermondo and Etimos conducted an official mission to Angola in order to discuss with the local Government about the project "Programa de Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável em Cooperativas Lideradas por Mulheres" (Sustainable Rural Development Programme for Cooperatives guided by Women). The mission took place in Luanda, from the 20th until the 23rd February 2017.

During the mission, the Italian Delegation met high level governmental representatives of the Angola Government, as the Minister of Family and Women Promotion; the Minister of Industry; the Minister of Fisheries; the Secretary of State for Forestry; the Secretary of State for Internal Trade, National Bank of Angola and entrepreneurial associations in order to discuss about the potential implementation of this project. The Ministry of Family and Women Promotion of Angola (MFWPA) proposed to the Delegation to sign a MoU with the aim to draft a road map for the implementation of the project.

Furthermore, during the mission, a workshop was organized by the Technology Unit for Private Investment from the Presidency of the Republic of Angola, in order to meet  private investment projects promoters. The delegation met more than 60 local operators, who presented commercial and productive collaboration projects, funding requests, lists of machines for the production upgrading.

On the last day the Italian Delegation visited a production facility of a fruit and vegetable company. A company that currently meets 30% of the Angolan market needs and it is already able to export some products. A large delegation from Angola is expected to participate at the forthcoming edition of Macfrut Trade Fair.