Angolan authorities continue to work to improve the country’s ranking in the “Doing Business” ranking, from 175th (2018) to 173rd (2019). To this end, legislative measures were taken last year in order to make the business environment attractive.
The new management paradigm, based on the approval of the Competition Law and the Private Investment Law, as well as speed of procedures, legalization of companies and low cost, has allowed advances in the World Bank ranking, although still “timid”.
In this list, made up of 190 economies, Angola ranked 175th in 2018 and improved its position compared to 2017 (182nd).
Despite this slight improvement in the ranking of the business environment, the country continues to lose, at Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) regional bloc level, to Namibia (107th), Botswana (86th) and South Africa (82nd). While in Portuguese Speaking Countries, it only surpasses Guinea-Bissau (175th).
According to Angolan economist Hernany Pena the moralization and credibility of the state have contributed to the improvement of the business environment, and the team of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, is working in this direction.
At the level of legislative production, in addition to the approval of the new Private Investment Law, the Competition Law and the entry into force of the New Customs Tariff, the Government approved the visa exemption for citizens of 61 countries.
This exemption is intended for those who wish to develop tourism or business activity in Angola, and must present only proof of accommodation and means of subsistence, in the application for a tourist visa, which will be issued upon arrival in Luanda.
In the simplification component of the granting of this visa, covering 61 countries, including Portugal, Cabo Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Brazil and East-Timor, Presidential Decree 56/18, of 20 February, defines the need to present proof of hotel or accommodation reservation by citizen residing in Angola.
He also considers necessary the proof of means of subsistence and of updated International Card of Vaccination, besides ticket of round trip and passport with validity higher to six months.
The legal document ends the need for a letter of support, signed and recognized in Angola, in which the citizen residing in the country assumes responsibility and for invitation of visit of a foreigner, one of the biggest obstacles to the entry of tourists in the country.
Source: Angop
