Luanda — The volume of investments and financial contributions of the Angolan state-owned oil company (Sonangol) towards development reflect its commitment to the country's growth, ANGOP learnt on Tuesday here from the administrator of the company, Sianga Abílio.

Speaking at the Luanda International Trade Fair (FIL), Sianga Abílio said that Sonangol has been working towards a promising future for Angolans and with challenges being faced by the country everyone may benefit from activities carried out by the company.

He said, among other initiatives, the company is investing in sectors such as health, by building health centres like the "Girassol" hospital.

Abílio Sianga also referred that Sonangol, in the framework of responsibility attributed to it, also invests in the training of its personnel, whether inside the country or abroad, as well as in the national reconstruction process through several housing projects underway.

FIL/2008, an event inaugurated last Tuesday and expected to last until Sunday, counts on the participation of 550 national and foreign exhibitors, and highlights the debut participation of Egypt, Zimbabwe, Singapore and Pakistan.

In terms of foreign participation, the 25th edition is also being attended, among others, by Spanish, Brazilian, Portuguese, German, Italian, Chinese, South African, Namibian, Ghanaian, Uruguayan and Dutch firms.

Various areas of activities will be present at the event, such as civil engineering, information technologies, banking, light and heavy industry, beverages, foodstuffs, energy and gas, machinery, cars, insurance, clothing and footwear.

Free entrance for secondary and higher education students is one of the novelties of this year's edition, once properly identified, so as to facilitate them in, among other aspects, contacts with the capital market through the Angolan stock exchange.