WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
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II. TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES: FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES 
1. Since the end of the civil war in 2002, and even  before that, Angola has been revising much 
of its trade-and investment-related legislati on.  A new Customs Code has been adopted 
(Chapter III(2)), and the customs tariff was revised in 2005.  New foreign investment legislation was 
introduced in 2003, and new laws on the petroleu m and diamonds sectors in 2004;  investors benefit 
from a wide range of tax and customs privileges.  Much work on the revision of legislation is still 
ongoing, and is intended to be achieved before elec tions planned for 2006.  The present situation is 
therefore one of “work in progress” in many areas.   
2. Angola applied the provisions of the GATT 1947 on a de facto  basis from independence in 
1975 to 1994, when it became a full member of GATT.  It is an original Member of the WTO.  At 
regional level, it is a member of the African Uni on, of the Southern African Development Community 
(SADC) of the Economic Community of Centra l African States (ECCAS/CEEAC), and of the 
African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States (ACP ).  Together with some other SADC member 
states, it is negotiating an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Communities.  
A standing bilateral commission with Namibia has recently been revised and a number of new 
agreements have been signed.  According to th e authorities, Angola maintains 31 bilateral trade 
agreements with various countries.1  As a least-developed country, Angola benefits from duty-free 
preferential terms in developed ma rkets, including under the EC’s “Everything but Arms” declaration 
(EBA) and the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 
3. Following a WTO Trade Policy Clinic in 2004, Angola has identified areas where it requires 
technical assistance from the WTO and other relevant international organizations  (Annex II.1).  It is a 
beneficiary of the Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance (the IF), and the present trade policy review is intended inter alia  to assist in presenting Angola’s situation and needs 
to the international community.  
(1) I
NSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK  
4. Angola’s institutional framework for trade and i nvestment is based on the Constitutional Law 
of August 1992, and a series of laws, regula tions and decrees noted in section (2) below.2   
5. Angola has a republican system of government.  The President of the Republic is elected by 
universal suffrage of all citizens over the age of  18.  Under the Constitutional Law of 1992, the 
President serves for a five-year term of office and may be re-elected for two consecutive or 
discontinuous terms of office.3  In practice, no elections have been held since 1992:  elections are 
scheduled for 2006. 
6. The President appoints the Prime Minister, and ma y dismiss him or her after consultation with 
the Council of the Republic, which is the Pr esident’s main political consultative body.4  On the Prime 
                                                      
1 WTO document WT/TPR/G/158, section 2.3, 10 January 2006. 
2 Under the Angolan legal system, laws are legal provisions passed by the National Assembly;  decree-
laws are issued by the Executive with the force of laws, pending authorization by the National Assembly;  
decrees are legal provisions issued by the Executive;  despatches are legal/administrative acts issued by 
administrative authorities, and regulations are legal norms emanating from an administrative authority in the exercise of its administrative power (information supplied by the Angolan authorities). 
3 Constitutional Law, Chapter II. 
4 The Council of the Republic is composed of the President of the National Assembly, the Prime 
Minister, the President of the Constitu tional Court, the Attorney-General, th e former President of the Republic, Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 15 
 
 
Minister’s proposal, the President may appoint or dismiss other members of the Government and the 
Governor of the National Bank.  The President pr esides over the Council of Ministers, but may also 
delegate the Prime Minister to do so.  
7. The unicameral National Assembly comprises 223 Members, including three Members 
representing expatriate Angolans.  Members are el ected by universal suffrage under a system of 
proportional representation for periods of four years.5  Ministers in the Government cannot be 
members of the National Assembly.6 
8. Angola’s juridical structure consists of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, 
provincial courts and municipal courts.  Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President of the 
Republic after hearing the High C ouncil of the Judicial Bench.7  The High Council also has the task of 
appointing, placing, transferring, and promoting other judges.  There are no specific commercial 
courts.  However, the Minister of Finance announced  recently that the Government would re-activate 
a special court with respon sibility for customs matters.8 
9. Angola has 18 provinces, each with a Governor appointed by the President on the proposal of 
the Deputy Minister.  Provincial Governors are answ erable to the Government and the President of 
the Republic;  their task is to ensure the normal functioning of local administrative bodies.9 
(2) POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  
10. In Angola, economic policy as a whole is manage d by the Economic Cabinet, chaired by the 
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister.  This body normally meets weekly.  The Economic Cabinet 
coordinates the activities of several Ministries res ponsible for different aspects of economic and trade 
policy. 
11. Although the Ministry of Commerce is respons ible for operational aspects of both external 
and internal trade conditions, the Ministries of Pl anning, and Finance, and the National Bank have 
principal responsibility for the longer-term and ma croeconomic aspects of economic policy.  The 
Ministry of Finance, in which the Directorate-Gene ral of Customs is situated, is responsible for the 
management of tax policy, including tariffs.  Se ctoral ministries also involved in trade policy 
development and implementation include the Minist ry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the 
Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Mi nistry of Industry, the Ministry of Transport, the 
Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Geol ogy and Mines, the Ministry of Petroleum, the 
Ministry of Urbanism and the Environment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Tourism. 
12. Angola’s principal laws relating to economic a nd trade policy are contained in Table II.1.  
 
  
 
                                                                                                                                                                     
the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly, and ten other citizens appointed by the 
President. 
5 Constitutional Law, Article 79. 
6 Constitutional Law, Article 82. 
7 The High Council, chaired by the President of th e Supreme Court, is made up of three lawyers 
nominated by the President of the Republic, at least one of whom must be a judicial judge; five lawyers nominated by the National Assembly; and ten judges elected by judicial judges from among their own number. 
(Constitutional Law, Chapter V). 
8 See Jornal de Angola, 15 August 2005, "Governo vai reorganizar justiça aduaneira". 
9 Constitutional Law, Article 148. WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
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Table II.1 
Main trade-related legislation in force or under revision, October 2005  
Area Legal instrument 
General Constitutional Law of August 1992  
Economic structure Law No. 05/02, Law on delimitation of sectors of economic activity 
Economic crimes 
and misdemeanours  Decree-Law No. 5/96 setting out the structure of th e Government, Council of Ministers and Permanent 
commission of Council of Ministers 
 Law No. 9/89 (Law on Crimes Against the Economy) 
 Law  No. 6/99, Law on Infractions against the Economy 
 Law No. 13/03 modifying Law No. 6/99 
Foreign trade Decree-Law No. 5/00, Organic Statute  of Ministry of Commerce 
 Decree No. 29/00 regulating the licensing of commercial ac tivity and the provision of merchant services (see 
also "Internal Trade" below) 
 Decree No. 43199 of  29 September 1960 (Portuguese colonial era), Organic Law on Overseas Customs 
 Decree No. 33531 of 21 February 1944 (Portugue se colonial era) on customs disputes 
 Decree No. 55/00 approving procedures for import, export and re-export operations  
 Decree No. 75/00 approving rules for registry and activities of foreign trade operators 
 Decree No. 76/00 approving procedures for the exercise of foreign trade operations 
 Decree No. 29/02 regulating the postponement of consum ption tax on import of goods to be used in the 
production process 
 Decrees No. 34/02 and 5/04 and corrigendum relating to  pre-shipment inspection;  Despatch No. 192/02 
Domestic trade Decree No. 29/00 regulating the licensing of commercia l activity and the provision of merchant services  
 Decree No. 43/00 regulating and or ganizing the activities of [informa l trade]  (comercio precario) 
 Executive Decree No. 44/00 regulating and or ganizing the operation of rural markets 
 Executive Decree No. 45/00 regulating and or ganizing the operation of urban markets 
 Executive Decree No. 46/00 regulating the issuan ce and attribution of commercial licences 
 Executive Decree No. 47/00 regulating market traders 
 Executive Decree No. 48/00 regulating ambulant traders 
 Executive Decree No. 55/00 regulating and establishing the definition, cla ssification and organization of the 
commercial register 
 Executive Decree No. 56/00 defining and establishing obligat ory inspection of the infras tructure and services of 
merchants 
Customs system, duties and charges Decree-Law No.13/99 establishing a Customs Code and schedule of import a nd export duties, based on 
HS 1999 
 Decree-Law No. 11/01 establishing a general customs charge of 2% 
 Law No 17/03 (Law on Fiscal and  Customs Tax Incentive s for Private Investment) regulating the payment of 
duties in the context of the Pr ogramme of Private Investment 
 Decree No 34/02 and Despatch 192/02 regul ating the preshipment inspection system. 
 Decree No. 05/04 establishing a list of goods exempt from the pre-inspection regime (first phase of process of 
reduction of the scope of the regime) and Correction of 11 May 2004 
 Decree No. 11/04 establishing the customs regime for petroleum related activities (see also Petroleum below)  
 Decree-Law No. 2/05 establishing a revised Tariff C ode for import and export, based on the Harmonized 
System (HS) 2002 
Internal taxation Decree No 73/97 establishing general and simplifie d regimes of fiscal and financial incentives 
 Decree No. 75/97 establishing levels of internal  taxes on imports and domestically produced goods 
 Executive Decree No. 85/99 establishing stamp duty 
 Decree-Law No. 41/99 on consumption  tax 
 Decree-Law No. 11/01 on general customs charge 
 Decree No. 29/01 on consumption  tax 
 Decree No. 29/02 regulating delayed payment of  consumption tax on imports of input goods 
Standards, health 
and sanitary regulations Law No. 5/87 on public health regulations 
 
Table II.1 (cont'd) Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 17 
 
 
Area Legal instrument 
 Decree No. 31/96 establishing Angolan Institute  for Standardization and Quality (IANORQ) 
 Law No. 17/02 on weights and measures 
 Decree No. 83/02, regulation on quality assurance systems 
 Decree No. 58/03 establishing National Committee for Codex Angola 
 Decree No. 53/04:  Genera l Regulation on Metrology 
 Decree No. 92/04 relating to genetically m odified organisms (see also Agriculture) 
 Joint Executive decree No. 44/05,  organic statute of IANORQ 
Private investment Decree No. 73/97 on tax and financial incentives for investment projects 
 Decree No. 38/00 establishing accoun ting procedures for companies 
 Law No. 4/03 on general clauses of contracts 
 Law No. 11/03, Basic Law on Foreign Investment  
 Law No. 14/03, Law on the Development of Domestic Business 
 Law No. 17/03, Law on Fiscal and Customs Incentives for Private Investment  
Price regulation Decree No. 20/90 establishing a national system of prices 
 Decree No. 14/96 establishing maximum prices of goods  and services on the internal market (amended by 
Decree No. 74/97) 
 Executive Decree No. 33/96 establishing maximum margins of 25% for goods in the free price regime 
 Executive Decree No. 35/96 regulating prices of oil products 
 Decree No. 72/97 establishing maximum wholesale and retail margins 
 Executive  Decree No.33/00 regulating and fixing  prices in commercial establishments 
 Decree No. 3/04 regulating public service prices 
Competition and 
consumer protection Law No. 15/03, on consumer protection 
Public enterprises Law No. 9/95 on public enterprises 
Privatization Law No. 10/94, Law on Privatizations 
 Resolution No. 16/01, establishing th e privatization programme 2001-2005 
 Law No. 8/03, law amending the Privatization Law 
Intellectual property Law No. 4/90 on authors' rights 
 Law No. 3/92, Law on Industrial Property  
 Decree No. 30/96 establishing the Angol an Institute of Industrial Property 
Agriculture Law No. 9/04, Land Law 
 Decree No. 92/04 prohibiting import of ge netically modified seeds or grain 
Fisheries Decree No. 2/93 defining the amounts to be  paid for infraction of fishing rights  
 Executive Decree No 517/95 regulating char ges for issuance of fishing licences 
 Executive Decree No. 10/97 regulating fi shing and shell-fishing activities 
 Decree No. 297/96 on standards for preparati on and sale of salt for human consumption 
 Decree No. 25/98 on fuel subsidies for sm all-scale fisheries (pesca artesanal) 
 Decree No. 31/98, approving the regime for export, import and re-export of goods  
 Executive Decree No. 33/98 regulating the management of fishery resources in Angolan territorial waters 
 Executive Decree No. 35/98, Mechanism of conformi ty for charter contracts for fishing vessels 
 Joint Executive Decree No. 13/99 approving regulations  for production and quality inspection of fishery 
products 
 Joint Executive Decree No. 14/99 approving the regular progr amme of inspection of vessels and establishments 
for processing of fish and their derivatives 
 Executive Decree No. 37/02, establishing a monitoring system for health and sanitary quality of fish products 
Joint Executive Decree No. 44/02,  establishing chemical and biological sta ndards for analysis of fish products 
 Law No. 6-A/04, Law on Aquatic Biological Resources  
Mining Law No. 1/92, Law on Geological and Mining Activities 
 Law No. 16/94, Law on Diamonds 
 Law No. 17/94, Law on Special Regime for Diamond Reserves 
 Decree-Law No. 4-B/96, Regulation of th e Customs Regime for the Mining Industry 
Table II.1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 18 
 
 
Area Legal instrument 
 Decree No. 12-B/96 establishing a special  tariff regime for mining enterprises 
Petroleum Decree No. 37/00 defining the regime to be applied to pr ocessing, distribution, transport, and sale of petroleum 
products (Amended by Joint Executive Decree No. 122/04 (Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of 
Environment) 
 Law No. 10/04, Law on Petroleum-related Activities  
 Decree No. 11/04 establishing the Customs regime for petroleum activities 
Electric power Law No. 14-A/96, General Electricity Law 
Industrial 
development Joint Executive Decree No. 36/04 es tablishing the Angolan Industrial Development Institute   
Foreign Exchange BNA Notice No. 9/96 establishing conditions for Exchange Offices 
 BNA Notice No. 10/96 establishing a single exchange rate 
Financial regulation Law No. 5/97, Foreign Exchange Law 
 Law No. 6/97, National Bank of Angola Law 
 Law No. 1/99, Law on Credit Institutions and Finance Companies 
Insurance and 
pension funds Decree No. 25/98 on the regulation of pension funds 
 Law No. 1/00, General Law on Insurance Activities 
 Decree No. 6/01 on re-insurance and co-insurance 
 Decree No. 2/02 on insurance contracts 
 Decree No. 7/02 on infractions in in surance and pension fund activities 
 Executive Decree No. 58/02 on insurance tariffs 
 Decree No. 79-A/02 on accounting principles for pension funds 
 Council of Ministers Resolution No. 2/03 on th e restructuring and relaunching of ENSA 
 Executive Decree No. 5/93 on conditions of access to and functioning of insurers 
 Executive Decree No. 6/03 on financial guarantees 
 Executive Decree No. 7/03 on insurance broking 
 Circular No. 1/ISS/MF/03 on ob ligatory periodical information 
 Despatch No. 9/03 establishing solvency margins for pension funds 
 Executive Decree No. 16/03 establishing rules for pension fund operations 
 Decree No. 96/04 creating FUNSEG, the F und for regularization of insurance  
Postal services Law No. 4/01 on postal services  
 Decree No. 76/02  regulating postal activity 
 Joint Despatch No. 11/04 regulating fees and ch arges for private operators in the sector 
 Resolution No. 30/04: Directive Plan for De velopment of Postal Services in Angola 
Telecommunications White Paper on telecommunications policy in Angola 
 Law No. 08/01, Basic Law on Telecommunications 
 Decree No. 44/02  defining a regime for establishmen t, management, and exploita tion of telecommunications 
for public use 
 Decree No. 45/02 establishing general and specific cond itions for contracts between operators and users of 
public telecommunications 
 Decree No. 10/03 regulating th e National Frequencies Plan 
 Decree No. 13/04 relating to interconnection 
Information 
technology Decree No. 5/01 establishing the National Inform ation Technology Development Strategy 2000-2010 
 Decree No.6/02 relating to the Nationa l Commission on Information Technologies 
 Resolution No. 18/04 on the implementation of the Information Technology Strategy 2000-2010 
 Resolution No. 33/04 concluding an agreement with WISeKEY 
 Decree No. 95/04 relating to digital signatures, etc. 
Environment Law No. 5/98, Basic Law on Environment 
 Law No. 9/04, Land Law (see also Agriculture) 
 Joint Executive Decree No. 122/ 04, amending Decree 37/00  
Table II.1 (cont'd) Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 19 
 
 
Area Legal instrument 
 Decree No. 51/04 on the evaluation of environmental impact 
Maritime transport Despatch No. 16/78 creating the National Council of Tr ansporters (Conselho Nacional de Carregadores) and 
Decree No. 67/89 approving the regulations of the Council 
 Decree No. 18/94  defining a policy of cargo-sharing be tween national and foreign carriers in terms of the 
Geneva Convention of 1974 
 Executive Decree No. 47/89 approving regulatory stan dards for access to maritime passenger and goods 
transport, and a cabotage regime 
 Decree No. 68/89 approving the status of Transit  Agent (Transitário) 
 Joint Executive Decree No. 68/95 regulating cargo- sharing in traffic from and to Angola 
Air transport Decree No. 5/05 regulating domestic air transport  
 Law No. 3/00 (Law on Civil Aviation) 
Labour services Law No. 3/94 on the legal regime for foreigners 
 Decree No. 6/01 regulating the professional activities of non-resident foreign workers 
Source: Information provided by the Angolan authorities. 
(3) TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES  
13. Angola’s stated trade policy objectives are the development and diversification of exports, 
together with the substitution of imports by dome stic production, where possible, for reasons of 
comparative advantage.  Protection of domestic production is foreseen during the phase of rebuilding 
the economy, but a protectionist policy is not considered by the authorities as valid in the medium-term.  
14. The authorities state that this policy is desi gned as a response to the situation prevailing 
following the civil war, and to the transition from a largely State-controlled economy to a more open 
market economy.  They note that Angola has to overc ome the effects not only of the civil war but also 
of consequent difficulties in attracting foreign inv estment, technology, and assistance;  and inadequate 
financial and economic policies.  It has been difficult  to re-launch industries other than in the oil and 
diamond sectors, and Angola has been required to import almost all goods to satisfy the needs of the population.
10 
(4) TRADE AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS  
(i) World Trade Organization  
15. From independence from Portugal in 1975 until 1994, Angola applied the provisions of the 
GATT 1947 on a de facto basis, pursuant to the recommendation of the CONTRACTING PARTIES 
of 11 November 1967.11  On 8 April 1994, the Government comm unicated to the Director-General of 
GATT its decision to become a contracting party u nder the provisions of Article XXVI (c), and 
Angola was accepted as the 122nd contracting party to GATT on that date, with rights and obligations 
dating from 11 November 1975.12   
16. Angola became a Member of the WTO on 23 November 1996, qualifying as an original 
Member of the WTO and thus not being required to go through a process of accession.  It has 
submitted Schedules on goods and services.13  By virtue of its WTO membership, it is party to all the 
                                                      
10 Information supplied by the authorities. 
11 GATT, BISD, 15th Supplement, page 64;  and GATT document L/4388. 
12 GATT document L/7442, Certifi cation by the Director-General. 
13 Angola’s goods schedule is Schedule CXXIX, approved by the WTO General Council on 
31 May 2005 and annexed to the Marrakesh Protocol on 21 December 1995;  its Schedule of Specific WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 20 
 
 
multilateral trade agreements.  It is not party to the Plurilateral Agreements on Government 
Procurement or on Trade in Civil Aircraft. 
17. At recent WTO Ministerial Conferences, Angola has expressed its belief in trade 
liberalization policies as means for establishing secu re foundations for sustainable economic growth 
and poverty reduction;  however, it has noted that, de spite promises to facilitate  the integration of the 
least-developed countries into the multilateral tradin g system, the prospects for their development 
remain bleak.  It has welcomed the Decision on the TRIPS Agreement and public health, but is 
concerned that the Doha Declaration mandate has s till not been fulfilled in certain areas of importance 
to the least-developed countries.  Angola takes the view that opening markets does not in itself 
constitute the solution to the soci o-political, economic and financia l problems that hinder progress in 
Africa, and seeks a balanced conclusion to th e Doha Round.  In the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial 
Conference, Angola sought substantial progress in:  modalities for agriculture, and the rapid solution 
of the cotton problem;  market access for non-ag ricultural products;  a critical mass of offers 
concerning market opening in services;  progress on ru les and trade facilitation;  and concentration on 
development issues.14 
18. Angola’s notifications to the WTO relate to three areas (Table II.2):  services, where Angola 
has notified its contact and enquiry points15, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), where 
Angola has notified its national notification authority16, and trade-related aspects of intellectual 
property rights (TRIPS), where Angola has notif ied its contact point under Article 69 of the 
Agreement.17  Angola has notified its operational tariff to  the Integrated Data Base of tariff and trade 
statistics through the process of preparation for this Trade Policy Review.18  
Table II.2 
Status of WTO notifications, October 2005 
WTO Agreement  Requirement  Periodicity Symbol of latest notification  
SPS (Annex B, para. 3) Notify national enqui ry point Once, then as required by 
changes G/SPS/ENQ/17 
SPS (Annex B, para. 10) Notify national notification 
authority Once, then as required by 
changes G/SPS/NNA/8  
Services (Articles III.4 and 
IV.2) Notify national enquiry and 
contact points Once then as required by 
changes S/ENQ/78/Rev.7 
TRIPS (Article 69) Notify national contact point Once, then as required by 
changes IP/N/3/Rev.7/Add.2 
Source:  WTO documents. 
                                                                                                                                                                     
Commitments under the GATS is in GATS/SC/115, dated 30 August 1995, and its list of MFN exemptions 
under the GATS is in GATS/EL/115. 
14 WTO document WT/MIN(05)/ST/132, 17 December 2005. 
15 WTO document S/ENQ/78/Rev.7. 
16 WTO document G/SP/NNA/8. 
17 WTO document IP/N/3/Rev.7/Add.2. 
18 In the 1999 Appraisal of the Operation of the TPRM, the TPRB encouraged a two-way flow of 
information between the TPRD and other parts of the WTO Secretariat, including the Integrated Data Base 
(WTO document WT/MIN(99)/2). Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 21 
 
 
19. Other documentation relating to Angola’s partic ipation in WTO activities include a note by 
the International Federation of Inspection Agenci es, defining Angola’s Customs Department as the 
relevant pre-shipment inspection agency19, and a note by the WTO Secretariat mentioning Angola’s 
membership of the World Organization for Animal  Health (OIE) and the FAO Codex Alimentarius.20 
20. Angola has implemented a Customs Code b ased on the Harmonized Commodity Description 
and Coding System (the HS) since September 1999 (Law 13/99).  The Customs Code of 1999 
introduced a considerable simplification of the stru cture of customs duties, reducing the number of 
rates from 43 to six and the highest rate from 135% to 35%.  In 2005, a new Customs Tariff was 
introduced, reducing the maximum rate to 30% (C hapter III(3)(iv)) and a new Customs Code based 
on HS 2002, and including the provisions of the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement, is about to be brought into force (Chapter III(2)). 
21. Angola has a plan to create a National Executive Secretariat for the WTO, coordinated by the 
Ministry of Commerce, but with administrative autonomy, and containing a Multisectoral Consultative Committee.  This secretariat will ha ve the tasks of promoting, overseeing, and 
coordinating all activities relating to implementati on of the WTO Agreements, and supporting training 
activities.
21 
(ii) Other multilateral organizations related to trade 
22. Angola is a member of the United Nations, and hence of UNCTAD, FAO, and other relevant 
UN agencies;  of the International Trade Cent re UNCTAD/WTO;  of the International Coffee 
Organization;  of the International Convention of the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT);  and 
of the Common Fund for Commodities.  Angola h as ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the 
Sea. 
(iii) Regional agreements  
(a) African Union 
23. Angola is a co-founder of the African Union, ha ving joined its predecessor organization, the 
Organization for African Unity, in 1975.  The A frican Union (AU) is expected to become an 
economic and monetary union;  its institutional setti ng (including a Conference of Heads of State and 
Government and a Council of Ministers) is under preparation.22  Ongoing AU activities include peace 
keeping, increased sub-regional in tegration programmes, the establishment of an African standby 
force, and harmonization of education policies. 
(b) COMESA and SADC 
24. Although still formally a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 
(COMESA), Angola has withdrawn from its activiti es, according to the authorities because of 
duplication between COMESA and SADC re garding trade policies in the region. 
25. Angola is a co-founder of the Southern Afri can Development Community (SADC), which 
aims, among other things, to create a common market among the member States by 2015.  It has 
                                                      
19 WTO document G/VAL/W/63/Rev.5. 
20 WTO document G/SPS/GEN/49/Rev.6. 
21 Information received from the authorities. 
22 The organs of the AU comprise:  the Peace and Se curity Council, the Co mmission, the Pan-African 
Parliament, a Central Bank, a Monetary Fund, the Afri can Investment Bank, the Court of Justice (statute 
prepared), the Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), and specialized technical committees.  AU online information.  Available at:  http://www.africa-union.org/ home/Welcome.htm. WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 22 
 
 
accepted the SADC Trade Protocol (Box II.1), and is participating actively in negotiations for an EPA 
both within SADC and in broader negot iations with the European Communities.23  
Box II.1:  The SADC Trade Protocol 
The SADC Trade Protocol, signed in August 1996 and entered into force in January 2000, is aimed at 
creating a free-trade area among the member States.  In particular, 85% of intra-regional trade in goods is to 
be duty-free by 2008 and at least 98% by the end of 2012.  
Free trade among the members is to be es tablished under a three-step schedule: 
 - Goods in Category A (essentially, capital goods and equipment, which currently comprise some 
 47% of goods traded) should acquire duty-free treatment with in the sub-region immediately 
 upon implementation of the Protocol.   
 - Goods in Category B (products that currently constitute major sources of customs revenues) 
 should be duty free by 2008.  Trade liberalization on these goods is to be undertaken  “asymmetrically” among the members but, overall, the target is for 85% free trade by 2008, in 
 order to reach a level that may satisfy th e “substantially all trad e” provisions of GATT 
 Article XXIV.   
 - Goods in Category C (sensitive products for local industries) should account for a maximum of 
 15% of the goods trade of each member; they are to be fully liberalized among the membership 
 by 2012. 
The Trade Protocol also envisages the creation of a Customs Union among SADC countries (originally by 
2010) and a fully fledged common market by 2015. 
The Protocol calls for other trade and investment facilitation measures, including harmonization of customs 
rules and procedures; attainment  of internationally acceptable st andards, quality, accreditation and 
metrology, and harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary measures  
Annexes to the Protocol define the rules of origin to be applied in intra-area trade; establish a dispute 
settlement procedure among the members; and set up a sp ecial protocol for trade in sugar and a separate 
agreement relating to trade in textiles and clothing. 
Angola acceded to the Trade Protocol in March 2003, but has yet to nego tiate a tariff liberalization schedule 
with other member States.   
Source:  SADC online information.  Available at:  h ttp://www.sadc.int.  For a co mmentary on the Trade   
Protocol, see also Kalenga, Paul (2004), Implementation of the SADC Trade Protocol: Some 
Reflections .  Available at:  http://www.tralac.org/scripts/content.php?id=3045.  
26. Angola is also actively involved in other trad e-related areas of SADC, notably concerning 
infrastructure;  trade and investme nt;  and agriculture, food security and natural resources (Table II.3).  
It has accepted the SADC Memorandum of Unders tanding on Standardization, Quality Assurance, 
Accreditation and Metrology (SQAM) (Chapter III(3)(xi)(a)). 
27. Angola has asked the SADC secretariat fo r assistance in establishing a schedule for 
implementing the provisions of the Trade Protocol. In its assessment report, the SADC Secretariat 
made the following recommendations24:  "(a) Angola should adopt an outward-looking approach to 
regional integration."  Most of Angola’s exports are sold on world markets, and there exist few 
possibilities for expanding exports to the SADC zone  in the short to medium term.  The SADC 
secretariat recommended that Angola should link its implementation of the Trade Protocol with 
continued tariff reform on an MFN basis.  "(b) Angola should avoid using tariff protection as a means 
                                                      
23 A complete list of the SADC Protocols signed and ratified by Angola is contained in 
WT/TPR/G/158. 
24 SADC Secretariat (2004).  Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 23 
 
 
of industrial development."  The SADC secretariat was of the opinion that the scale of the Angolan 
economy (in 2001-02) was too small to develop region ally competitive industries, and notes that tariff 
protection is in any case an inefficient means of  promoting industrial development.  An overly 
cautious approach to intra-regional liberalization s hould be avoided.  "(c) The list of “sensitive” 
industries should be kept to a minimum."  The SADC secretariat noted that tariff receipts, particularly 
from regional imports, do not constitute a major sour ce of revenue for Angola; taxation of external 
trade was only some 2.1% of budget receipts in 2002 .  In contrast, tariff reductions could have a 
positive indirect effect, resulting from trade liberaliz ation. Instead of following an import-substitution 
policy, Angola should reduce trade barriers on an MFN basis.  "(d) As a least developed country 
(LDC), Angola should differentiate its tariff reduc tion offers to South Africa and to other SADC 
members."  The process should be completed by 2012 in line with the general SADC tariff reduction schedule. 
28. Angola is also a co-founder of the Economic Community of Central African States 
(ECCAS/CEEAC) grouping Angola;  Burundi;  Camer oon;  Central African Republic;  Chad;  Congo 
(D.R.);  Congo (Rep.);  Equatorial Guinea;  Gabon;  Rwanda;  and São Tomé and Principe.  Members 
of ECCAS are required to pay a “Community Integra tion Contribution” (CCI in Portuguese) of 0.4% 
of customs value of goods imported from third countries for the running of the organization. 
Table II.3 
SADC trade-related programmes and projects involving Angola  
Infrastructure and services  
Projects specific to Angola: Lobito Corridor redevelopment, linking with Congo, D.R.  and Zambia 
 Lubango-Santa Clara road, linking with Namibia 
 Angoferro project to rehabilitate Angolan railways 
 Hydrographic studies of the Cunene/Cuvelai zone 
 Pilot project on supply of water and sewage in Ondjiva municipality 
Broader SADC projects: Single SADC visa (UNICISA) – linked by Angola with SADC Protocol on Facilitation of 
Movement of Persons 
 SADC Energy Pool 
 Regional Petroleum and Gas Association (REPGA) 
 Hydrographic programmes, including plans for development of a regional water policy, a project 
to establish the Zambezi Basin Commission, and a project on the Okavango hydrographic basin 
Trade, finance, and investment  
SADC Trade Protocol: Angola is participating in the Trade Protocol, but has withdrawn from the mid-term evaluation 
as it is not yet in a position to implement the Protocol, including because it does not have up-to-
date trade statistics 
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Angola is responsible for coordinating the areas of agriculture and fisheries within the SADC 
EPA.  The Government has created a negotiating group on the EPA 
 The Government is analysing various proposed SADC memoranda of understanding on 
exchange control, payments systems, compensation and liquidation, information technology in 
communication among central banks, and other finance-related topics 
Agriculture and food security  
SADC Action Plan, approved in 2004: In agriculture:  supply of factors of production;  animal and plant health;  development of 
farming, livestock, and fisheries;  in infrastructure and production support;  water and irrigation 
management;  market access and price reduction;  supply, development and dissemination of 
technology;  sustainable development of water resources;  management of pastures and 
development of tsetse-fly-free zones 
 In fisheries:  Project for monitoring, control and supervision of fisheries activities;  Benguela 
Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme (BCLME);  Benguela Environment-Fisheries 
Interaction and Training Programme (BENEFIT);  programme on small-scale inland water fisheries and fish farming 
 In environment:  participation in development of SADC biodiversity support programme;  
development for cross-frontier environmental conservation areas;  regional project on wetlands 
conservation;  and establishment of a report on the state of the environment in Angola 
Source:  Ministry of Planning, National Committee for SADC ( 2005):  Memorando síntese sobre as principais linhas de 
actuação de Angola nos trabalhos da cimeira da SADC, Luanda. WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 24 
 
 
(iv) Bilateral agreements and arrangements 
29. Angola and Namibia have increasingly close c ooperation in the framework of a standing 
bilateral commission.  In October 2005, agreemen ts were signed on suppressing visa requirements, 
opening border posts, free circulati on of people and goods, and radio broadcasting.  Angola has also 
signed bilateral agreements on trade with Argentina;  Bulgaria;  China;  Cuba;  Congo (Rep.);  Congo 
(D.R.);  Czech Republic;  Gabon;  Germany;  Ghan a;  Guinea-Bissau;  Hungary;  India;  Korea 
(DPR);  Morocco;  Mozambique;  Poland;  São To me and Principe;  Slova k Republic;  Tanzania;  
Viet Nam;  Zambia;  and Zimbabwe;  a trade and payments agreement with Cape Verde;  and economic and trade cooperation agre ements with Cameroon;  Russian  Federation;  and Ukraine. 
(v) Other agreements and arrangements 
(a) The Cotonou Agreement and the "Everything But Arms" initiative 
30. Angola is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries 
associated with the European Communities under the Cotonou Agreement.  Angola is engaged in 
negotiations for an EPA with the EC, along with  six other SADC members, Botswana, Lesotho, 
Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Tanzania.
25  Seven clusters of t opics for negotiation have 
been identified:  agriculture and fisheries (w here Angola is the coordinator for SADC);  
non agricultural market access;  standards, and SPS;  le gal issues, rules of origin and statistics;  trade 
facilitation and development coope ration;  TRIPS and TRIMs;  and services, investment, and 
competition policy.   
31. For Angola, the creation of an economic partne rship area leading to greater integration among 
SADC member states, and the negotiations for an EPA with the European Communities are seen as 
two sides of the same coin. 
32. Angola's former bilateral agreement on fisheri es with the European Union, concluded in 
1987, expired in 2004 and has not been renewed (Chapter IV(2)(ii)(d)). 
(b) African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) 
33. Angola has been a beneficiary of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act 
(AGOA) since December 2003.  Angola benefits  from the AGOA provisions for least developed 
countries under which goods from any country, used in the manufacturing process in Angola, may 
qualify for AGOA origin of the final product.  The AGOA programme extends until 2015.  U.S. data 
show that between 2002 and 2004, U.S. impor ts from Angola rose from US$2.8 billion to 
US$4.5 billion;  Angola is the third largest sour ce of imports (concentrated in energy-related goods) 
to the United States from AGOA-elig ible sub-Saharan African count ries, after Nigeria and South 
Africa.26  In January-June 2005, U.S. imports from Angol a were valued at US$3.3 billion, up from 
US$2 billion in the corresponding period of 2004.27 
                                                      
25 Other SADC parties in this group, except Tan zania, are also members of the Southern African 
Customs Union (SACU).  South Africa participates in the group as an observer.   
26 AGOA online information.  Available at:  http://www.agoa.info/?view=country_info&country=ao. 
27 AGOA online information.  Available at:  http://www.agoa.info/?view=country_info&country= 
ao&story=trade. Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
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(c) Community of Portuguese-Language Countries (CPLP) 
34. Angola is a co-founder of the CPLP, which al so includes Brazil;  Cape Verde;  Guinea-
Bissau;  Mozambique;  Portugal;  São Tomé and Principe;  and East Timor (since August 2002).28  A 
co-operation agreement among CPLP me mbers was signed in July 1998, and regulations for the CPLP 
Special Fund and a Project Manual were agreed in July 1999.  It is reported that, under CPLP 
auspices, a Centre for the Development of Entrep reneurial Skills is bei ng established in Luanda.29 
(d) Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) a nd Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) 
35. As a least-developed country, Angola benefits  generally from LDC te rms in all developed 
countries’ GSP schemes.  
36. Within the Global System of Trade Preferen ces among developing countries (GSTP), Angola 
has held negotiations with Mozambique and Cuba , but no concessions have been extended, as Angola 
has not ratified the GSTP Agreement. 
(e) South East Atlantic Fisheries Organization (SEAFO) 
37. Angola has signed the convention establishing SEAFO (Chapter IV(2)(ii)(d)). 
(5) INVESTMENT REGIME  
(i) General provisions regarding investment 
38. Angola’s general regime for private investment  is specified in two recent laws:  Law No. 11 
of 2003 (Basic Law for Private Investment) and Law No. 17 of 2003 (Law on Fiscal and Customs 
Incentives for Private Investment).30  Investment in oil, diamonds , other minerals and financial 
institutions is governed by separate legislation (Law  10/04, the Law on Petroleum-Related Activities;    
Law 16/94, the Diamonds Act;  Law 1/92, the Mine ral and Geological Activities Act and Law 1/99, 
Law on Credit Institutions and Financial Companies). 
39. The National Private Investment Agency (ANIP)  oversees private investment activity.  The 
Government ministries competent to approve invest ment projects in the areas of petroleum, diamonds, 
minerals, and financial institutions  must provide information to ANIP on the total value and location 
of investments, their form and regime, the numbe r of new jobs created, and all other information 
necessary for the registration of investment.   
40. The Basic Act establishes two regimes for appr oval of foreign investments:  the “prior 
declaration regime” for projects up to US$5 million,  under which ANIP is empowered to approve the 
project and must make a decision within 15 days of submission of the project31;  and the “contractual 
regime” for projects equal to or above US$5 mill ion, under which the Council of Ministers is 
empowered to approve the project, on the recommendati on of ANIP, and must do so within 30 days of 
submission of the project.32 
41. Documentation required to invest foreign capital in Angola comprises:  a proposal to ANIP;  a 
Certificate of Admissibility where it is proposed  to set up a company in Angola;  a business 
description and, as appropriate, power of attorney for a legal representative;  a criminal record 
certificate (for individual investors), a list of equi pment and facilities to be incorporated into the 
                                                      
28 The Instituto In ternacional de Macao has observer status in CPLP. 
29 CPLP online information.  Available at:  http://www.cplp.org/;  and Cidade Lusofona online 
information.  Available at:  http://www.cidade-lusofona.com. WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 26 
 
 
project; and by-laws and corporate minutes where th e investor proposes to become a partner in an 
existing company. 
42. In the petroleum  sector (Chapter IV(3)(ii)(a)), SONANGOL, the national oil company, holds 
all mineral rights.33  Prospecting licences are allocated by the Ministry of Petroleum, which also 
defines areas of concessions; mineral concessions are issued by the Government.34  Exploration 
licences and concessions are granted for periods of  three years, which may, exceptionally, be 
extended.35   
43. Mining  industries (Chapter IV(3)(i)(a)) in gene ral (except for earths and hydrocarbons) are 
covered by the Geological and Mining Activities Act (L aw 1/92).  All minerals belong to the State, 
under the Constitutional Law.  The Ministry of Ge ology and Mines manages mineral exploration and 
development through the granting of prospecting and mining titles.   
44. Foreign investment in the diamonds sector (Cha pter IV(3)(i)(b)), is subject to a three-stage 
process under Law 16/94.  At the stage of mineral and geological investigation, a potential investor 
must present a declaration of intention to invest to ENDIAMA, the State diamond enterprise, defining 
the area and programme of work.  At the exploratio n phase, an investor must present a technical and 
economic feasibility study, which, once approved, be comes an integral part of the mining concession 
contract.  If the project's estimated reserves warrant an immediate feasibility study, ENDIAMA 
should undertake a public or limited competition, the te rms of which are to be agreed in advance with 
the Ministry of Geology and Mines, the Ministry of Finance, the National Bank, and the Governor of 
the relevant province.  Diamond mining concessions  are negotiated with ENDIAMA, which must 
again obtain the permission of these bodies before su bmitting them for approval to the Cabinet via the 
Ministry of Geology and Mines.  ENDIAMA speaks  for the State in the matter of diamond mining 
contracts.  Once approved by the Cabinet, diamond mining contracts are sent to the Ministry of Geology and Mines, which passes copies to the Mini stry of Finance, the National Bank, and the 
Governor of the province.
36 
(ii) Tax and customs privileges for investors 
45. A wide range of tax and customs privileges are available for private investors (domestic and 
foreign) (Box II.2).  They are determined in rela tion to the priority sectors mentioned above, or the 
location of the investment, within three zones.37  
46. The petroleum sector also benefits from a wi de range of tariff exemptions covering capital 
equipment, components, spares, and inputs , defined in Law 11/04 (Table AII.1). 
47. The general tax regime for the mining sector  is set out in Decree-Law 4-B/96, under which  
all natural and juridical persons in the mining industry are subject to an income tax of 35%.38  The 
Law allows for deduction of all exploration costs a nd contributions to the mineral development fund, 
and defines specific depreciation rates for all costs of fixed or movable mining equipment, 
                                                                                                                                                                     
30 ANIP online information.  Available a t:  http://www.investinangola.org/ingles. 
31 Law 11/03, Articles 26 to 30. 
32 Law 11/03, Articles 33 to 40. 
33 Law 10/04, On Petroleum Activities, Article 4.  See also Chapter IV for more detailed discussion of 
the petroleum sector. 
34 Law 10/04, Articles 8 and 11. 
35 Law 10/04, Article 12. 
36 Law 16/94, Article 4. 
37 Law 17/03, Articles 6 and 7.  These provisions are not cumulative. 
38 Decree-Law 4-B/96, Article 7. Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 27 
 
 
mineralogical tools and equipment, camping and office equipment, other goods, and products 
incorporated in production.39  Mining enterprises are also subject to royalty payments ranging from 
2% (on minerals other than precious stones and meta ls, semi-precious stones, and metals) to 5% (for 
precious stones and metals) on the value of mi nerals extracted or concentrates for refining.40  Holders 
of prospecting licences must also pay a land area ta x, which rises from US$1 per square kilometre in 
the first year to US$4 per sq. km. in the third year  and, for additional prospecting licences in adjacent 
areas, up to US$12 per sq. km.41  
Box II.2: Tax privileges under Angola’s general investment legislation   
Specific tax exemptions and concessions are available under Law 17/03, for all investments between 
US$50,000 and US$250,000. 
For all investments covered by Law 17/03, 100% of expenses incurred in construction and repair of roads, 
railways, telecommunications, water supply, and social infrastructure may be deducted from income tax; 
companies that promote investments covered by the la w are also exempt from the payment of conveyance 
tax on land and real property acquired and used in the project (on application to the relevant tax department). 
The normal rate of 20% income tax on private schools, colleges, and clinics integrated into the national 
education and health services is reduced to 10% wher e such establishments offer 10% of their capacity, 
free of charge, to poorer students. 
Investments in the three priority zones may benefit from the following tax concessions: 
Zone A (the province of Luanda, the capital municipalities of the provinces of Benguela, Cabinda and 
Huíla, and the municipality of Lobito):  three years’ exemption from customs duties and fees on all imports 
(except for stamp duty and fees levied on the provision of services and on goods and equipment used in the 
launching and development of an investment operation);  eight years’ exemption from payment of industrial tax (both for main contractors and for sub-contractors);  and five years’ exemption from capital 
gains tax (CGT). 
Zone B (other municipalities in the provinces of Benguela, Cabinda and Huíla, and the whole of the 
provinces of Bengo, North Cuanza, South Cuanza, North Lunda, South Lunda, and Uige):  four years’ 
exemption from customs duties on all imports, 12 years’ exemption from industrial tax, and ten years’ 
exemption from CGT. 
Zone C (the provinces of Bié, Cuando, Cubango, Cunene, Huambo, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, and Zaire):  
six years’ exemption from customs duties on all imports, 15 years’ exemption from industrial tax and 15 years’ exemption from CGT. 
In all zones, imports of goods incorporated or consumed directly in the production of other goods are 
exempt from customs duty for five years.  For second-hand goods, including second-hand vehicles not over three years old, the customs duty exemption periods are cut by half and the concession for goods 
incorporated is reduces to 50%.  Imports by transporters of coastal vessels and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes 
gross weight are exempt from customs duty. 
Relief of 50% of customs duties (25% for second hand goods) is also granted for investments in new 
undertakings that involve construction and/or rehab ilitation of economic and social infrastructure;  in 
expansion, rehabilitation or modernization of commercial or industrial units that were destroyed in the war;  in priority sectors or in Zone C;  and investments that ensure the creation of more than ten full-time jobs for 
national workers.  This concession is only available wh en satisfactory import-substitutes are not available.  
Source :  Law 17/03. 
 
                                                      
39 Decree-Law 4-B/96, Article 3. 
40 Decree-Law 4-B/96, Article 14. 
41 Decree-Law 4-B/96, Article 19. WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 28 
 
 
48. In the mining sector, including for diamonds, imports of a large number of goods for 
exploration and working of mineral resources, as well as office, residential, and other equipment for the industry, are importable free of customs duty un der Article 2 of Decree 12-B/96.  The products 
covered by these exemptions are contained in  the annex to the decree (Table AII.2). 
49. Conditions for foreign investment in the financia l sector (Chapter IV(5)(iii)) are laid out in 
Articles 31 to 42 of the Law on Credit Institutions and Financial Companies.
42  Foreign banks and 
financial institutions may establish branches or legi slative offices in Angola subject to authorization 
by the National Bank of Angola (BNA).  
50. To establish branches, foreign financial institutions must present to the BNA, inter alia , their 
programme of activities and organizational structure;   a certificate from their national supervisory 
authority stating that they are authorized as a credit institution and that there is no impediment to their 
opening a branch in Angola; demonstration of suff icient technical and financial means for the type 
and volume of operations they plan to undertake;  projected accounts for each of the first three years of activity of the branch;  copies of their statutes;  and a promise to make a deposit not less than that 
required from Angolan financial instituti ons to demonstrate capital adequacy.
43 
51. Representative offices of foreign financial ins titutions are listed in a special registry 
established by the BNA.  They must be establis hed within three months of their registration 
(extendible by three months).  They may not undert ake operations that are within the ambit of credit 
institutions, acquire shares of any companies or immovable property that is not essential to their 
installation and functioning. 
52. The Angolan authorities seek to encourage investment  in three main groups of industries:  (a) 
agro-industry, fish and meat products, hygien e and cleaning products, textiles and clothing, 
construction materials, the printing industry, fertili zers, wood-based industries including paper, tyres 
and inner tubes, mineral processing, steel, metallu rgy and metal-based mechanical industry;  (b) 
energy-intensive metal production and mineral refi ning;  and (c) construction materials, including 
glass, sanitary fittings, plaster pipes, paper pulp and packaging. 
 
                                                      
42 Law No. 1/99. 
43 The capital adequacy requirement is defined by the BNA by public notice (Aviso).  The most recent 
notice is Aviso No. 3/00 of 31 March 2000, determining the limits and conditions for the concept of “own 
funds” of financial institutions.  Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 29 
 
 
Annex II.1:  Trade-related technical assistance  
1. Between 1998 and end-2005, the WTO has undertak en 111 technical assistance activities with 
Angolan participation (Annex Table II.1).  Activities in Angola  include the creation (in 1998) and the 
upgrading (in 2004) of a national WTO reference centre in the Ministry of Commerce;  a national 
seminar on the WTO Agreements in 2000;  seminars on agriculture, TRIPS, services, and SPS 
measures (the last for the Portuguese-speaking Afri can countries as a group) in 2002; and in 2003, a 
technical mission on anti-dumping measures, competition policy, and SPS, and a national seminar on negotiating techniques.  In 2004, the WTO also conducted a Trade Policy Clinic and a national 
workshop on the Doha Development Agenda and cu stoms questions in Angola.  In 2005, Angola 
benefited from a national intensive course on trade negotiation skills and a seminar on WTO 
Agreements.  In addition to the WTO Reference Cent re in Luanda (installed in June 1998, revised in 
February 2004) another centre was created in th e Angolan mission in Geneva in April 2005. 
Annex Table II.1 
WTO technical cooperation activities with  Angolan participation:  summary, 1998-05 
 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total 
National seminars    1  1    2 
Regional seminars  2 2 2 1 8 2 3  20 
National 
workshops       1   1 
Regional 
workshops  4 1 1 4 9 9 8 36 
Regional training 
courses 1 1 1 1 2 4 4 6 20 
National training 
courses        1  1 
Technical 
missions 1      1 3 5 
Others 1 1 1  4 5 7 7 26 
Total 5 8 6 3 19 20 25 25 111 
Source:  WTO Secretariat. 
2. Angolan officials have also participated in WTO regional or global technical assistance 
activities held in Africa, in Geneva, and in ot her countries.  Geneva-based activities include, inter 
alia: the three-month trade policy course in which tw o Angolan officials participated;  short trade 
policy/introduction courses for LDCs;  specialized  courses on dispute settlement and sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures;  WTO global seminars/s ymposiums on TRIPS and public health, cross-
border supply of services, and trade and environment.   
3. At the regional level, Angola has benefited fro m all activities targeting francophone Africa.    
These include a three-month regional trade policy course in Morocco and a two-week trade policy 
course coordinated by the WTO, the African Development Bank (ADB), and the UN Economic 
Commission for Africa (ECA).  In addition, Angola participated in regional seminars on:  cotton; 
safeguards;  technical barriers to trade;  SPS;  competition policy;  TRIPS;  special and differential treatment and small economies;  transparency in  government procurement;  services negotiations; 
regional agreements and WTO rules;  non-agricultural market access;  the Integr ated Data Base;  trade 
and investment;  the agriculture negotiations;  th e GATS;  customs valuation;  dispute settlement;  
trade facilitation;  the Doha Development Agenda;  trade and environment;  and telecommunications 
regulation.  WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 Trade Policy Review 
Page 30 
 
 
4. Angola has also been accepted as a beneficiar y of the Integrated Framework for Trade-
Related Technical Assistance, the joint programme  combining the WTO, UNCTAD, the International 
Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO, the International Mo netary Fund, the UNDP, and the World Bank.  A 
World Bank mission to Angola was scheduled to take  place in October 2005.  Angola is not a member 
of JITAP, the joint integrated technical assist ance programme for African countries coordinated 
jointly by the WTO, UNCTAD, and the International Trade Centre. 
5. The 2004 trade policy clinic identified a clear ne ed to raise awareness of WTO issues, and in 
this context proposed that a trade policy review be held soon. It also identified needs for additional 
assistance in the fields of customs (in particular customs valuation and customs statistics);  SPS and 
TBT;  and training on the GATS, particularly in  relation to tourism, service infrastructure, 
telecommunications, and transportation.  The miss ion also noted that the WTO would support the 
process within the IF, which is already u nder way, to speed up Angola's entry. 
6. The Angolan authorities have clearly identified th eir current technical assistance needs from a 
number of international organizations, including the WTO, in their reply to a question for this Trade 
Policy Review regarding technical assistance need s in respect of the WTO Agreements and by 
conducting a needs assessment exer cise for technical assistance and training following the WTO 
Secretariat's guidelines.  The needs identified form  a coherent programme that will need to be 
prioritized in consultation with the authorities.  Ot her international organizations from which help is 
sought include the World Customs Organization (WCO), the FAO Codex Alimentarius, UNCTAD, 
the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Inte rnational Organization for Standardization (ISO).  
The areas on which assistance is sought include: 
- Customs procedures:  training courses by the WCO on rules of origin, and combating 
counterfeit; and seminars on simplification of customs procedures. 
-  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures:  technical assistance from FAO and Codex 
Alimentarius aimed at elaborating or stre ngthening food quality controls and reform 
of national regulations on f oodstuffs and consumer products  to bring them into line 
with the FAO Codex Alimentarius and othe r relevant international agreements;  
strengthening of the domestic veterinary service and the inspection system for fishery products, animal and fish health and food safet y;  the creation of a rapid alert system 
to detect goods unsuitable for human or animal consumption, and assistance on 
regulation of production, import, and use of transgenic or genetically modified 
products. 
- Multilateral trade negotiations: assistance from WTO and UNCTAD for capacity 
building in the areas of special and differe ntial treatment, competition policy, export 
diversification, trade and the environment, market access, and trade in services. 
-  Standards:  ISO assistance in the traini ng of technical staff and the elaboration and 
publication of national standard s and technical regulations. 
-  Intellectual property: assistance from WIPO, the African Intellectual Property 
Organization (OAPI) and, as appropriate, the WTO, to create a patent registry and a data bank that can be used by local professi onals in the fields of intellectual property 
and authors’ rights, and the organization of  seminars to promote better understanding 
of the TRIPS Agreement by the private and public sectors. 
7. Particular areas of the WTO Agreements where t echnical assistance is deemed to be urgently 
needed are: Angola WT/TPR/S/158/Rev.1 
 Page 31 
 
 
- TRIPS:  training of judges, prosecutors, cust oms officials, trade and economic inspectors, 
 advocates, university professors, journalists, ot her government officials, and business people; 
- Anti-Dumping Agreement;  SPS and TBT Agreem ents including quality control;  competition 
 policy;  rules of origin;  preshipment inspection;  and import licensing;  
- The GATS Agreement; request-offer procedure and analysis of requests received from WTO 
 Members; 
- WTO notifications where the authorities are unabl e to comply with notification requirements; 
- In the Ministry of Commerce, capacity building for the National Commercial School, the 
 National Secretariat for the WTO, the Trade Point, the National Trade Laboratory, and the 
 National Committee for the Codex Alimentarius;  and 
- Assistance in drafting consumer protection legislation and training materials.1 
 
                                                      
1 Responses to questions posed in the preparation of this Trade Policy Review.