National Report

Tito Gourgel Attaché of the Press This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Fone: 0041-793673223/0041-786537216 Fax: 0041-227323703

Angola
Government paid 60 per cent of public debt

Luanda, 6/9 - The angolan government has already paid 60 percent of the public debt it has pledged to liquidate for the last three months, the minister of state and head of the civil house of the presidency of the republic stated today.

Making an assessment of the government's performance for the last quarter, Carlos Feijo said at press conference that the figure was achieved through the redirection of the terms of payment, decreasing the pressure on the government on public debt.

The minister informed about some 900 million sudollars outstanding debt to some companies stressing the payment delay flows at the risk of creditors due to procedural irregularities detected in companies without registering or with more than one taxpayers registration with which a direct work will be made to correct the faults.

"In terms of the payment of the debt, we can say that we achieved our goals, as, from the sgins we have, the pressure has diminished" - stated the minister.

According to the government program and to what had been agreed with creditors, Carlos Feijo explained that the government paid in full the debts under 30 million usdollars, while those from 30 million to 75 million where negotiated with each creditor and over 75 million usdollars were paid 40 per cent of the debt.

On the public finances, the minister said that progress were made in terms of organization, procedure and regulation namely in public spending, information technology and payments, stating that although the desired levels have not yet been reached, deficiencies and deviations have been removed in terms of good practice of the exercise of public finances.

Attending the press conference were the minister of state and head of the military house, Helder Vieira Dias "Kopelipa", the minister of state for economic coordination, Manuel Nunes Jr, the finance minister, Carlos Alberto Lopes, and the governor of the reserve bank, Banco Nacional de Angola, Abrãao Gourgel.

Source: Angop

2011 State Budget to target one digit inflation

Luanda, 6/9 - The drafting of the State Budget (OGE) for 2011 will target a one-digit inflation, lower to 9 per cent.

This was said on Friday, in Luanda, during a press conference given by the State Minister and Head of the Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic, Carlos Maria Feijó.

The meeting was aimed at assessing the 200 days of functioning of the government, which was appointed after the promulgation of the Angolan Constitution on 5 February 2010.

According to him, it is also expected that the State Budget for 2011 grow to 8.3% if compared to 6.7% in the current revised budget.

The official said that the revised state budget, which has recently been reviewed by the National Assembly, was already drafted with the support of the consultancy company that is trying to bring together the economic and financial reality to the real country in terms of revenues and expenses.

The State Minister considered the strategy as an example of efficiency in the process of drafting the State Budget and an effort to reorganise public finances.

Carlos Feijó said that a Technical Unit for the Management of Public Debt, both internal and external one, was established in order to monitor the Angolan debt.

The meeting was also attended by the State Minister and Head of the Military Office of the Presidency of Republic, Helder Vieira Dias, and the State Minister for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Junior, the incumbent Minister of Finance, Carlos Alberto Lopes, and Governor of the Angolan National Reserve Bank (BNA), Abraão Gourgel.

Luanda
Angolan army chief meets with his Guinean counterpart

Luanda, 6/9 - The chief of Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), Francisco Pereira Furtado, met on Monday with his Guinea-Bissau counterpart in Luanda, lieutenant-general António Indjai , in the ambit of the cooperation relations.

Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, Francisco Pereira Furtado said that the meeting was aimed at discussing the programme of technical and military co-operation between both countries, so as to outline the commitment of FAA, in the reform and creation of conditions for permanent stability in Guinea Bissau.

In this regard, the Angolan Army chief said that efforts are being made in the restructuring and consolidation for the defence of that brother country by CPLP and ECCAS.

On his turn, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau said that his country relies on the help of Angolans for the development of the military forces in various fields, such as  training of staff.

On the other hand, António Indjai ,  underlined that Guinea Bissau relies on the help of Angola concerning defence and security for the promotion of permanent stability.

The chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau arrived on 4 September in Luanda for a five day-day working visit aiming at the reinforcement of cooperation in the military sector, mainly in the defence and security fields.

During the five day-visit, António Indjai and his delegation will meet with FAA’s high-ranking military officers, Defence Ministry officials and will also visit some barracks and military schools.

Angola and Guinea-Bissau have been developing excellent cooperation relations, both in the bilateral field and within the framework of the Portuguese Speaking Community (CPLP) and of the African Portuguese Speaking Countries (PALOP), in the sectors of politics, diplomacy, defence and security, education, health and transports.

Source: Angop

Luanda, 6/9 - Angola considered as important the strengthening of the international co-operation in the fight against terrorism, so that the country may have greater institutional capacity in the implementation of the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

This was said on Monday, in Luanda, by the Interior deputy minister, Eduardo Martins.

Eduardo Martins said so during the opening of the workshop for Upgrading and Drafting the National Report on the Implementation of the UN Resolutions regarding the fight against International Terrorism.

The official said that the Angolan government defends that terrorism can not be tackled just with international conventions.

Therefore, the Interior deputy minister thinks that it is important to strengthen the international upgrading so as to fund effectively the implementation of national programmes of eradicating poverty.

Eduardo Martins said that Angola has been contributing to the global strategy against terrorism so that it may be a consensual and effective tool to respond to the interests of international peace and security.

The four-day workshop is going to be attended by technicians of the ministries of foreign affairs, defence, finance, interior and technicians of the Attorney General’s Office and National Customs Department.

During the event, the participants will discuss the UN resolutions and the legal framework of Angola on the prevention, combat and crime of funding international terrorism.

Ondjiva, 6/9 – The Italian ambassador to Angola, Josefe Mistreia, Saturday in Ondjiva, capital city of southern Cunene province, considered as stable and satisfactory the cooperation  between both governments.

The Italian diplomat said so at the end of a two day-visit he paid to the province, adding that his government wants to reinforce partnerships with Angolan executive in many sectors of the country’s affairs, toward people’s well-being. There are very important medium and long term initiatives in the sectors of agriculture, health, education and others that “we hope will be undertaken under the government actions between both nations”, he said.

Josefe Mistreia, who returned to Luanda on Saturday, while in Cunene discussed with local authorities, issues concerning cooperation, with a view to the development of the region.

He recalled  that Italy and Angola have historical relations and his country has been playing an important role in political and socioeconomic sectors.

During his stay in Cunene, the Italian diplomat met separately with the provincial governor, António Didalelwa, and with the provincial health staff.

Bengo
Bishop urges for respect within families

Muxima, 6/9 - The Bishop of the Diocese of Sumbe, Dom Benedito Roberto, Sunday urged catholics for more respect within angolan families in order to build a healthier society.

Addressing a mass marking the end of the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Muxima, the Bishop said that some undignifying situations have been found within the families and suggested a serious discussion on marital infidelity phenomena which has been destroying several families of different social stracta.

The prelate also denounced the injustices imposed by some angolan tribes and communities on widows and orphans.

Wisdom in the home was another advice given by the bishop for the wives so they can endure their husbands and thus avoid ruptures in the marriage.

Source: Angop