One-fourth of the total imports of the country is carried on 

 through the Bank, and three-fourths of the exports are negotiated 

 through its intermediary. Consequently, offices had to be opened 

 abroad, in all centres of Portuguese trade, and at home in the 

 chief markets. 



In the last few years the Bank has seconded the formation of 

 new companies with the object of developing the riches of the 

 colonies. 



The Companhia de Pesquizas Mineiras de Angola, with the 

 object of prospecting north of the Lobito railway, has made the 

 most interesting investigations as regards the mineralogical 

 prospects of the country. 



The Companhia de Diamantes de Angola is an affiliated 

 company organised with the object of exploiting the rich diamond 

 fields of the Lunda district, yielding thousands of carats of 

 diamonds per annum. 



The Companhia df> Petroleo de Angola is another affiliated 

 company studying the oil fields of Angola, the exploitation of 

 which will take place soon. 



The agricultural possibilities of Angola have been investi- 

 gated by the Fomento Geral de Angola, in which the Bank is 

 interested. The studies have encouraged numerous capitalists 

 to invest in the fisheries of the southern coast of West Africa, in 

 the tobacco plantations of some districts of Angola, in the trade 

 and cultivation of cereals, in the fibre and cotton cultivation, and 

 in the palm oil exploitation. For the first time in the history of 

 Angola there is a scientific basis for the undertakings which are, 

 under the auspices of powerful Portuguese institutions, in 

 co-operation with foreign capitalists 



