Bié Province Governor Celeste Adolfo called on Friday for stronger human intervention and higher technical capacity in the transformation of the region's natural and strategic resources, arguing that unlocking their full economic potential is essential to Angola's broader diversification agenda.
Adolfo was speaking at the opening of the Economic Forum on the Investment Advantages of Central Angola and Its Impact on the National Economy, held in Cuito as part of the third edition of Expo Bié, which officially opened on Thursday in the provincial capital.
In her address, the governor stressed that Bié possesses an extensive range of strategic assets spanning mineral deposits, agriculture, tourism, water and forestry, all of which remain underexplored and underfunded.
Against that backdrop, she advocated for greater human engagement backed by technical expertise in processing and transforming those assets, so they can actively serve economic diversification and improve living standards for the local population.
'It is important to transform these resources with their economic impact in mind, in favour of developing the economy and improving living conditions for families,' Adolfo said.
The governor also highlighted the role of the Lobito Corridor in the socioeconomic development of central Angola, and of Bié in particular, both in the movement of people and goods and in the promotion of tourism, trade and broader regional progress.
She said the provincial government intends to use the forum to take stock of the real economy — reviewing actions taken over the past four years, the challenges encountered, the progress achieved, and the strategies best placed to stimulate local production.
Adolfo called on participants to engage deeply with the topics on the agenda so as to help identify practical solutions to structural problems in Bié's productive sector and beyond.
The forum is structured around three panels covering distinct but interrelated themes.
The first panel, focused on 'Boosting Production by Integrating ICT into the Productive Process,' addresses topics including the modernisation of agricultural production through technological solutions and strategies for promoting the production of cereals and legumes in Bié.
The second panel examines infrastructure support for the productive sector, covering the role of industrial parks and poles in attracting investment and adding value to local production, as well as the Lobito Corridor's function as a mechanism supporting production, logistics and trade.
The third and final panel centres on access to finance, with presentations on the banking sector's role in materialising investment initiatives and the use of insurance as a credit guarantee instrument.
The third edition of Expo Bié has drawn 636 exhibitors — up from 446 at the previous edition — representing both local businesses and companies from provinces including Namibe, Huíla, Luanda, Cuanza-Sul, Benguela, Huambo, Cabinda, Bengo, Icolo e Bengo, Moxico Leste and Uíge. The event runs under the theme 'Boost Production and Transform for Food Self-Sufficiency.'
The fair, which is scheduled to close on Sunday, showcases products, equipment, technologies and services with a particular emphasis on local production, positioning itself as a platform to highlight Bié's economic potential, forge partnerships and attract new investment.
Organisers report that more than four thousand tonnes of various products are on display, with projected business transactions exceeding 490 million kwanzas.
Beyond the exhibition floor and the economic forum, this year's Expo Bié features a broader programme of activities, including a Livestock Fair and Auction and a Technology and Science Fair (FETIC 2026).
The expo has also generated close to one thousand temporary jobs, and organisers expect the event to attract more than 30,000 visitors over its duration.
Source: ANGOP / Original article: www.angop.ao
