Potential to Setting Up of Maritime Clusters in Angola

Gabriel Henriques Leitão^1,2, Maria de Lourdes Bravo²
(1. Ministry of Economy and Planning, Angola;
2. Economics Faculty, University Agostinho Neto, Luanda, Angola)

Abstract: This paper seeks to address the relationship between the concentration of economic activities associated with the sea and Angola’s economic development. The investigation on Maritime Clusters arises from the fact that Angola has maritime infrastructures and a strong maritime activity being the sea hinterland of landlocked countries in Southern and Southern Central Africa. It is also experiencing socio-economic and demographic changes generated by economic activities with a relevant impact on the business environment, bringing about opportunities for the establishment of industrial clusters in particular maritime clusters. Thus, this paper aims to understand that the setting up of clusters might reduce regional asymmetries and poverty in the country, showing the importance of maritime clusters for economic development and job creation by enhancing the growth of solid micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME). It also enables to understand that maritime clusters are relevant not only to the diversification of country’s economy that is still largely dependent from the oil industry but also to the integration of the Angolan economy in the Southern African Development Countries (SADC). Regarding the existing gap in knowledge about the issue, this research work represents an analytical contribute for further research initiatives, particularly quantitative nature.

Key words: maritime clusters, regional asymmetries, economic agglomeration, economic development

JEL code: O