Angola is expected to maintain its Luanda International Fair (FILDA) 2020, despite the current coronavirus pandemic. The announcement was made by Bruno Albernaz (pictured), chairman of the board of directors of Eventos Arena group, the company organizing the event.

Scheduled to be held from 14 to 18 July 2020 in the premises of the Luanda-Bengo Special Economic Zone (ZEELB), FILDA 2020 is expected to bring together more than 700 exporters and other participants. While the covid-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of several restrictive measures, the organizers indicate that the event will not be postponed or even less canceled.

“The events that are scheduled for the second half of this year will all be carried out, but we are considering aspects of the evolution of the pandemic, as we plan to comply with the guidelines of the health authorities,” said Bruno Albernaz.

The Luanda International Fair is an opportunity for President Joao Lourenço's government to promote entrepreneurship in Angola, one of the main axis of its economic diversification program. Twenty-one countries participated in the event in 2019 (three times more than the previous year); an opportunity for many exporters to conclude new business contracts.

While the collapse of oil prices has pushed the government to revise its general budget downwards for the year 2020, the current health crisis underlines more than ever the need for the country to diversify its economy.

A total of 19 cases of covid-19 have been officially confirmed in Angola to date, including two deaths.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou