India Angola Business and Cultural Council
About Angola
Angola, a country located in southwestern Africa. A large country, Angola takes in a broad variety
of landscapes, including the semi-desert Atlantic littoral bordering Namibia’s “Skeleton Coast,” the
sparsely populated rainforest interior, the rugged highlands of the south, the Cabinda exclave in
the north, and the densely settled towns and cities of the northern coast and north-central river
valleys. The capital and commercial centre is Luanda, a large port city on the northern coast that
blends Portuguese-style colonial landmarks with traditional African housing styles and modern
industrial complexes.
At the beginning of the 21st century, it was a country ravaged by war and the related effects of
land mines and malnutrition, and it was often dependent on the international community for the
basics of survival. It is a country that is nevertheless rich in natural resources, including
precious gems, metals, and petroleum; indeed, it ranks among the highest of the oil-producing
countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest and wealthiest of the Portuguese-speaking African
states, and Portuguese influences have been felt for some 500 years, although Angola acquired its
present boundaries only in 1891. An anticolonial struggle that began in 1961 finally led to
independence in 1975.
In precolonial
times, Angolans of various groups followed broadly similar religious traditions that
revolved around
venerating ancestors and worshipping territorially oriented deities under a creator high god
(often
known as Nzambi or Suku). The Portuguese government regarded Angola as its overseas crown
jewel
during the colonial period. It made the colony a target of ambitious settlement schemes and
encouraged investment in the economy.
Objectives
Business Council
To promote bilateral trade between India and Angola To boost businesses of all the sectors, particularly MSMEs, and create business opportunities To promote businesses of all sizes across the two countries Establish business to business and people to people contact Create tie-ups amongst chambers of commerce and have businesspeople as part of this council.
Cultural Council
To promote cultures and exchange ideas and values through this council Facilitate cultural exchanges in the form of music, dance, history, artifacts, exhibitions, expos and even through online mediums Create opportunities for student exchanges, training and courses to promote cultural relations between India and Angola To promote artists through shows, exhibitions, etc. either in person or through online mediums.
