Lisbon, Portugal, 6 May – Banco BIC Portugal wants to be the gateway for Angolan investments in Europe, the bank said in a statement ahead of its presentation to the press Thursday.

The statement said that the new bank would focus on managing transactions between the two countries, corporate banking and supporting Portuguese companies in operations with Angola and Angolan companies that wish to expand into Portugala nd Europe as well as private banking.

It also noted that the bank planned to deal with a lack of available options on the market, especially at a time when Angolan companies are focusing on internationalisation because they have surplus assets from the oil business.

In Angola, Banco BIC began its activities in May 2005 and currently has 71 branches, 9 business centres, a private banking office and 12 business branches, employing around 945 staff. (macauhub)