HAPPY THANKSGIVING - NOVEMBER 25, 2021
Dear USACC Members, Friends and Partners,

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States that provides an opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for your confidence and loyalty. The United States (U.S.) - Angola Chamber of Commerce (USACC) has promoted trade and investment between the U.S. and Angola for over 30 years. The COVID-19 outbreak affected all population segments and was detrimental to companies and partner organizations with more years of establishment closing operations. Through the support of members and partners, USACC continues to be a formidable partner for both the U.S. and Angolan governments assisting the cooperation between the two in reaching new highs of mutual benefit. 

This year, with restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, most USACC events were held online. USACC organized two events in person: a dinner with the U.S. Embassy in Angola for a visiting Congressional delegation and a farewell lunch for the U.S. Ambassador to Angola, Nina Fite, who has been a great partner and supporter of USACC and its members. To view the events USACC organized in 2021, see the list below and click to view the video of the online events.

Last month, USACC began sending membership contribution renewal via email. If you have not received your invoice, don't hesitate to contact Laihla Evora at levora@us-angola.org.

On a personal note, I have had the pleasure of serving this great organization for over 15 years, of which four years I have been its President & CEO. I want to take this occasion to thank you for your friendship, support, and positive interactions throughout the years.

I thank you and extend USACC's best wishes for a happy and healthy *Thanksgiving Day.

Sincerely,

Maria da Cruz
USACC President & CEO

*Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving 2021 occurs on Thursday, November 25. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

USACC 2021 EVENTS
Angola Tax Code Updates

Lawyers from law firms Fátima Freitas & Associados and Miranda & Associados shared information on two relevant legal developments: (a) The new local content regime for the Angolan oil and gas sector; and (b) Tax changes approved in 2020 and 2021, including the General Tax Code and the Industrial Tax, Personal Income Tax, VAT, Stamp Duty, Property Tax, as well as the Angola/Portugal and Angola/UAE Double Taxation Treaties. This event was held via zoom.
U.S. Financing Opportunities for Investing in Angola

Senior Commercial Officer U.S. Embassy in Angola, Thomas A. Strauss; Africa Investment Advisor, Lusophone Africa International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Jacob Flewelling; Director of Africa Export-Import Bank of the United States (ExIm), Rick Angiuoni discussed U.S. financing facilities available for investing in projects in Angola and was to push forward the U.S.-Angola business partnership. This event was held via zoom.
U.S.-Angola Relations Under the Biden Administration

U.S. Ambassador Nina Fite discussed U.S. policy for Africa writ large and how that relates to Angola. Fite also discussed the U.S. companies that recently signed agreements in the energy and telecom areas and opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in the Angolan market. This event was held via zoom.
Investment Opportunities with BODIVA

CEO of Angola Debt and Stock Exchange (in Portuguese: Bolsa de Dívida e Valores de Angola - BODIVA), Walter Pacheco, discussed the public companies seeking companies interested in investing in its privatization process. The GoA plans to privatize 100 public companies before the end of 2021. BODIVA is a stock exchange in Angola and the organizational body leading the privatization process of public companies for local and international investors looking to gain exposure to Angola. This event was held via zoom. 
Privatization of ENSA

Chairman of Angola's State-owned Insurance Company ((in Portuguese: Seguros de Angola-ENSA), Carlos Duarte, discussed ENSA's plan for privatization. The first phase of the privatization process of the insurance company started with the sale of 51 percent of the share capital. ENSA has been in the market for 43 years and holds 37 percent of the market share. This event was held via zoom.
Dinner Reception for U.S. Congressional Delegation

A dinner event welcomed a U.S. Congressional Delegation in Angola to promote better bilateral ties between the United States and Angola. The dinner also included Managing Directors from key U.S. companies operating in Angola.
Farewell Lunch for U.S. Ambassador to Angola

Ambassador Fite said her farewells to USACC members at lunch in her honor. The lunch was attended by the Governor of BNA, José Massano, Minister of Economy and Planning, Mario João, Managing Directors of U.S. and Angolan companies.