Angola’s reconstruction creates major opportunities

Road transport dominates the Angola route, due in part to the need to circumvent port congestion, says Chavda Freight managing director Hannes Rust. “We have built up a valuable relationship with some contractors we’ve used over and over again, ensuring our clients get the best service,” said Rust. But the foundation for a company fleet was laid with the recent purchase of an eight-ton truck to handle demand for road freight express and consolidation loads to Angola. “This vehicle together with a few other smaller vehicles will be carrying consolidation cargo and we’ll have one vehicle leaving Johannesburg for Luanda every week,” said Rust. Despite a recent drop in business sector activity that Rust believes is caused by a shortage of foreign currency in Angola that retards payments, and the introduction of new documents required for bank transfers, a country in the process of rebuilding offers ample opportunities. “The government has determined plans to build roads, bridges, shops and hotels. This together with Angola’s large number of natural resources provides good prospects for growth and consequently for investment and trade,” Rust said.