An Angolan delegation recently visited Chile to investigate fruit import options from the South American country, according to the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX).

Led by Angola's Vice Minister of Economy Laura Pires de Alcántara, the group is the first ever from the African nation to inspect the opportunities of doing business with Chile's fruit industry.

The delegation's aim was not only to look at import opportunities, but also to apply Chile's experience and programs to Angola's own fruit sector, which for the most part is subsistence-based, leading the country to import 50% of its food.

"The important thing about this meeting is that it offers us a great opportunity to open new markets. It is the first visit of an Angolan delegation to the Chilean fruit industry, and as our exports to this market are almost nothing, it opens a very good possibility of diversifying our shipments," ASOEX president Ronald Bown said in a release.

Some of the agreements made during the meeting were to work together on creating direct access for Chilean fruit imports, in addition to collaborating on fruit sector issues in Angola.

Angola's population is above 17 million with a GDP per capita of US$6400.

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