The 38th edition of Filda, which runs from 18 to 22 July, will feature 1.202 exhibitors, almost double the number of last year, of which 128 are international. There are 43 companies on the waiting list.
The Luanda International Trade Fair (Filda) has sold out its exhibition area for the first time this year, with more than 40 companies queuing, announced the organizer of the event, which will take place next week. The chairman of the board of directors of the Arena group, Bruno Albernaz, admits that next year’s edition could be held in a new space to overcome this constraint.
This year’s 38th edition of Filda, which runs from 18 to 22 July, will feature 1,202 exhibitors, almost double the number of last year, of which 128 are international. “Direct and indirect participation has doubled, and the only reason it hasn’t grown more is because we have nowhere else to put more companies. It is the first time that we have reached the maximum capacity of this space”, the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), where the event has been held since 2018, emphasized Bruno Albernaz.
For now, 43 companies are on the waiting list. The official, who was speaking at a press conference on the preparation of the fair, highlighted the growth of the industry sector, “across the board”, hoping that the increase in participation will also translate into growth in turnover.
This year, the organization has managed to free up more areas for stands, but Bruno Albernaz stressed that there is “a clear project” to build a definitive pavilion for holding events, which can also host international initiatives. “We have no place to host these events,” said the official, who hopes to be able to announce the future edition of Filda, in 2024, in the new facilities. “If not, we will improve and fight for space in better conditions,” he said.
This year, several countries with official missions will be at Filda, including the United States of America, Indonesia and the Czech Republic, while Brazil will also participate again, collectively, with its business association. In terms of countries, Italy will have the largest international participation, followed by Portugal.