Luanda, Angola, 27 July – The 40 Brazilian companies that took part in the 2010 Luanda International Fair (Filda) did business deals estimated at US$50 million, as compared to US$30 million in the 2009 edition, export and investment promotion agency Apex-Brasil said in Luanda Monday.

In a statement Apex said that the Brazil pavilion at Filda 2010, which was held between 20 and 25 June, received at least 20,000 visitors and was the second largest at the fair, after Portugal’s pavilion.

“Filda is Angola’s biggest multi-sector fair and this year was attended by over 30 countries. Brazil has been taking part since 2003, organised by Apex-Brasil and has already confirmed its presence at the next fair in 2011,” the statement said.

According to the statement, Angola is Brazil’s main trading partner in Africa and trade between the two countries rose by 188 percent between 2005 and 2009, from US$520 million to US$1.5 billion.

The statement from apex-Brasil, to which news agency Angolahub had access, noted that in 2009 Brazilian exports to Angola totalled US$1.3 billion, as a result of exports mainly of vehicles, machinery and equipment, meat and furniture, with Brazil importing oil and its derivatives from Angola.

The statement noted that, by the end of the year, Apex-Brasil is planning to open a Business Centre in Luanda, to boost business between Brazilian and Angolan businesspeople. (macauhub)