Doing business
Visiting Angola
Experiences of other Dutch companies

Doing business

A visit to Angola is highly recommended as personal relations are crucial in doing business in the country. Most Dutch companies rely on a local representative to handle affairs once contact has been established. A few points of advice:

• Agreements are normally only made once a personal relation is established; take therefore time to socialise during the visit. Because of the importance of this, agreements are often made at a late phase during negotiations.
  
  
• Angolans are often relatively formal in the first few meetings. Formal clothing in these occasions is highly appreciated.
  
  
• Bureaucracy and corruption have diminished but have not fully disappeared.
  
  
• The preferred language is often Portuguese as few people have mastered English. It therefore might be advisable to use Portuguese or hire a translator during a visit or correspondence.
  
  
• Have direct communication by phone before sending any (general) e-mails. 

Visiting Angola

Please be advised of the following:

• Hotels in Angola and also flights are often fully booked long in advance despite of the high prices. Thus it is wise to book early.
  
  
• The use of credit cards is limited, even at hotels; therefore take US dollars in cash.
  
  
• As there are no taxies available at the airport or in Luanda, try to arrange transport before arrival.  
  
  
• Consult the    reisadvies before travelling to Angola
  
  
• The application procedure for a business visa takes on average a week and requires among other things an invitation letter from a contact in Angola. Please visit the Consular Affairs pages of the website for further information on obtaining visas for Angola.

Experiences of other Dutch companies

The following are abstracts of a published article in the Dutch magazine BM (Foreign Markets) in October 2006.

“ Henk Bussink is managing director in Angola with Offshore Contractors. The company lays pipes and builds installations on the sea. Bussink was clear on his views: ‘If you want to earn money, you have to be in Angola right now. Opportunities are everywhere, there is a shortage in everything. The other time I needed new airco systems for one of my ships. Three companies have taken a look at it but simply say: ‘I am sorry, we are to busy to do that!’. All materials have to be imported and there is a shortage in expertise. On the other hand there is money enough.’ ”

“ Gerard Kreeft, director of Energywise, a company that organises worldwide seminars for the gas and oil sector, sees opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). ‘Innovative SMEs in the area of water management, technology and high-technology should take a look around here. There is also a lot of room for improvement in logistics. The harbours are not fully effective for example.’ On doing business Kreeft said: ‘It is important to create your own base in Angola. There are trade agents, but they often limit you in getting in touch with exactly those people you want to speak to. It is advisable to visit a few times and not decide directly who your trade partner is going to be. Think long term, business will come eventually, simply because the need exists.’ Kreeft also offered a possible explanation why Angola is missed out on as a market: ‘people have watched too much CNN; they still think unjustly that Angola is a disaster area.’ ”