Angola

UNDP Angola incites debate on Public Sector Development

Luanda - September 30, 2009 - The Public Sector Development in Angola was subject for debate in the 4th Edition of the "Jango de Desenvolvimento" (Development Jango) space, conducted on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, in the United Nations building in Luanda, on UNDP's initiative. The presentation was done by the Chairman of Angola's Development Bank (BDA) Board of Directors, Mr. Teodoro da Paixão Franco.

In a brief introductory retrospective of the world economy, the Chairman of BDA's Board of Directors, focused on the background, the real estate bubble and the speculation in the finance market, with prominence in the international financial crisis, where he recalled the Decline of Liquidity in the Intra-banking system; the Crisis in stock exchange, the Price drop in agro commodities; the free-fall of petroleum prices (from US$147.00 to US$40.00, average); the Stagnation in some developed economies; the abrupt Reduction of investments; as well as the increase of unemployment.

About the Angola's economic and social situation, Mr. Franco, referred to the macroeconomic report, that shows a global GDP shift of US$9.150 Million, in 2000 to US$50.224 Million, in 2007, adding that, the average real annual growth taxes, in percentage, improved as proven in a comparison between the periods of 2000-2003 and 2004-2007, as follows:

On the other hand, Mr. Franco, recalled that the great objectives of the Government policy consisted in the: consolidation of macroeconomic stability; rehabilitation of infrastructures; diversification and increase of internal production of goods and services; revitalization of rural economy; restoration of economic and commercial circuit throughout the country; support to Private Sector Development; as well as in the increase of job opportunities, progressive improvement in the remuneration of work and the fight against poverty.

The diagnose by Mr. Franco, stresses that Angola's Development outburst, settles in the country's agro-industrial opportunities, in terms of: great extensions of arable lands; extensive river network enabling the irrigation, mineral reserve (limestone and plaster) for soil correction; petroleum and gas (fundamental for the production of nitrogen); diversified climate enabling the production of grains, fruits, vegetables and cattle exploration (Bovine Cattle, Swine, Caprine, Ovine, Ave, etc.).

He also highlighted the opportunities in the industrial sector, after having noticed that most of the industry products are imported, and underlined the availability of raw materials for processing industries, such as: wood, construction materials, chemistry, pharmaceutical, petro-chemical, food, fishing, tourism, as well as for the Mineral extraction industry, namely: Gold, iron, copper, manganese, plough, zinc, diamond, uranium, quarts, mica, plaster, marbles, granite, limestone, etc.

Among the contributions to the private initiative for Development, the Chairman of BDA's Board of Directors, underlined the creation of practical and effective solutions to specific problems, namely, in terms of use of alternative energy (aeolic and solar), construction of mini-hydroelectric; staff training; internalization of technologies; imports planning; and structuring of the sectors for technical support and supply.