Controversy around the competition for the management and operation of the Kero hyper and supermarket chain, won by the Anseba group, continues to raise suspicion and discontent. Ministerial source alleges that Alimenta Angola improperly used the name of Carrefour. Brazilians deny and insist that they competed in partnership with the French.
Almost a week after the State Asset Management and Participation Institute (Igape) announced, as a reconfirmation, Anseba’s victory in the public tender for the exploitation of the Kero supermarket chain, suspicions and discontent are still burning. A source from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Mindcom) alleges to Valor Económico that, in an attempt to gain and deceive public opinion, Alimenta Angola “misused” the name Carrefour, under the guise of an alleged partnership.
Not much different, in the announcement of the winners, Igape only mentions Alimenta Angola and two other candidates for the competition, namely Anseba and Camarufi. And it emphasizes that, at no stage, did the competitors present documentary evidence of the existence of an association with international brands.
Contacted by Valor Económico, Igape insists that Alimenta Angola did not compete in partnership with the French. However, on another occasion, at the end of November, in statements to RNA, the executive director of Igape Augusto Laurindo Kalikemala explained that Alimenta Angola intended, if it won, to explore the enterprise through a franchising contract (consisting of granting the right of use provided by a brand owner to an investor) with the French brand.
“The group Alimenta Angola presents a proposal that also implies an eventual exploration of a franchise of the Carrefour network. But the Carrefour network was never committed to investing directly in the business or participating directly in the business”, said Augusto Laurindo Kalikemala.
Dissatisfied with the result, but not motivated to resort to other instances, the board of Alimenta Angola denies having used the French network’s name improperly and guarantees that it is included in its specifications.
“They are using this methodology to defend themselves. It has already been contested and nothing has changed”, he laments, stressing that it is preferable to align himself with “who owns it” in order to avoid reprisals.
The company also saw its hope of competing in the Nosso Super supermarkets dashed. The competition is reserved for national investors.
The Anseba group of Eritrean and German origin, created ten years ago with a capital of 200,000 kwanzas, won the competition with 66.2 points, according to official results. The group’s object is the general and retail trade of construction materials and the manufacturing industry. During a decade of existence, it altered the social pact twice. The first was in 2016, having placed João Tristeza Gaspar Fernandes, Arnito José Agostinho and Ives Fernandes in the shareholder structure. All were withdrawn, however, two years later, keeping between shareholders Kalab Woldeselassie Berhe and Yemane Berhe Weldeslassie.
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