26-28 OCTOBER
2004 National
Assembly Hall, Luanda, Angola
The Angola Investment
Summit will gather major international investors to Angola and promote new
opportunities for investment in the various sectors of the country’s
economy. With the full support and participation of the Government of
Angola, investors will have the opportunity to discuss business with
major industry players and learn more about new and existing
legislations that govern business in the country. This event will
assemble major international executives from various sectors including
Agriculture, Fisheries, Infrastructure, Mining, Energy, Transport and
Tourism.
KEY TOPICS
WILL INCLUDE:
Angola in a Global and Regional Context - Creation of ANIP and the new
laws of investments and incentive opportunities - Restructuring of the
transportation sector - Benefits and obligations for foreign
investment in Angola - Angolan legislation for diamond extraction -
Unexplored diamond reserves and concessions - Developing projects and
opportunities for foreign investment - Legislative framework within
the country - Opportunities for investment in tourism - Case studies
from international investors - Opportunities for investment in
agriculture and fisheries - Prospects for the natural gas sector
Organised by ITE Group Plc.
and National Agency for the Private Investment of Angola, ANIP
TO RECEIVE FURTHER INFORMATION, FAX/E-MAIL TO +44 (0)
20 7596 5062/5111
ana.monteiro@ite-exhibitions.com
OR CALL ANA MONTEIRO ON +44 (0) 20 7596 5119
Visit Infield At The Offshore Technology Conference, 3-6 May
2004
Infield is exhibiting on
Stand/Booth 2740
Infield will be attending the Offshore Technology Conference being held
in Houston Texas next week. If you are attending the exhibition and
conference then our senior staff would be only too pleased to discuss
with you at the Infield booth (2740) our new series of market and
technology reports, analytical services and sector & regional databases
for the offshore oil and gas industry.
Publications: We will be launching two new reports on the markets for
Subsea Production and Floating Production Systems. These two reports
form part of the Global and Regional Report Series. We will also have on
the stand copies of the Deep & Ultra-deepwater Market Update Report
which was published earlier this year.
Analytical Services: Our range of in-house skills includes all the major
industry disciplines from Geology, Finance & Law through to Senior
Operational Management, allowing for the provision of data, information
and reports that are realistic, accurate and insightful. Our reports and
services are used to support business decisions at a senior level and as
such are presented with a clarity and conciseness that has brought
international recognition.
Databases: Naturally, at OTC we will have with us a complete copy of the
Infield Worldwide Energy Database which covers fields, platforms,
pipelines, subsea completions, manifolds, templates, umbilicals single
point moorings, manufacturers, fabricators, operators and field
ownership for the period 1947 through today and forward to 2015 and
beyond.
Panel Discussion: On Thursday 6th May, Day 4 of OTC, Will Rowley,
Infield's Director of Analytical Services and Publications will be the
moderator in a panel discussion on "Independent Operators, The Future of
the North Sea."
We hope to see you there.
Best wishes.
Quentin D'A Whitfield
Director
South Korea Optimistic
About Investment Environment
Luanda, May 18 - Visiting South Korean minister
of Commerce, Hwang Doo-Yun, said today in Luanda that Angola has
leadership, political will, concrete projects and people`s union of
spirit and cooperation as favourable conditions to his country`s
investment.
To the minister, these aspects are relevant and have been commonly
highlighted during the audience prime minister, Fernando da Piedade
Dias dos Santos, granted to him and his team visiting the country
since Monday.
Hwang Doo-Yun rejoyced at the progress Angolan has scored over the
last 14 years of politico-diplomatic cooperation between the two
countries.
He said as well that these relations are more visible in the fields of
trade and services, oil and fishery.
The minister expressed the hope in the strengthening and
diversification of the said relations, taking into account the local
environment and legislation on investment that he considered as very
favourable. This is added to the natural resources the country
possesses.
Hwang Doo-Yun and the Angolan minister of Public Works, Higino
Carneiro, signed on Monday in Luanda a "Verbal Process" that reflects
the two countries` intention of strengthening exiting bilateral and
business cooperation.
This includes the "Accord on Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of
Investments" and the "Memorandum of Intentions" between the National
Agency of Private Investment (ANIP) and the Federation of the Korean
Industries (FKI).
Under the Verbal Process, the two Governments are expected to exchange
multi-sector and business delegations. Thus, an Angolan technical team
will be travelling soon to Seul, to make the necessary arrangements
for the Joint Bilateral Commission session scheduled for 2005.
Angola and South Korea enjoy a relation of co-operation since 1993, a
year after formal diplomatic relations were established.
USA: President Dos Santos Meet IMF, WB Officials
Washington, 05/13 - The Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos,
Thursday held separate meetings with top officials of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), in the
respective headquarters in Washington, in the framework of the
official visit he is paying to the United States.
A source close to the IMF told journalists that the meeting "was good",
as it occurred at the time President Jose Eduardo dos Santos made
known the economic situation of Angola in a "clear-sightedness" way.
The source added that this international financial institution
examined the explanation made by the Angolan President, what means
that the relations between the Angolan Government and the Fund will be
consolidated.
On Tuesday, during the meeting that the Angolan statesman held with US
business people, Eduardo dos Santos said the talks that the Angolan
Government has been having with the IMF and the WB has allowed the
re-establisment of reciprocal confidence.
The President added this will lead to agreements at short term, which
will enable to solve all the differences of past opinions and to
reinsert the Angolan economy into the international scenario.
The president, who is paying an official visit to theUnited States
since Tuesday, had as the highest point on his agenda a meeting at the
White House with his host counterpart, George W. Bush.
Angola will reveal some oil payments
By HEATHER TIMMONS New York Times
LONDON — In a reversal of a longstanding policy, the
Angolan government will disclose some payments it receives from oil
companies that do business there, making the southwest African nation
the latest to respond to pressure to make such compensation public.
An Angolan government official is expected to
disclose today that the country is receiving $300 million from
ChevronTexaco at a deal-signing ceremony in Washington with the
company's chief executive, DavidO'Reilly, three executives with
knowledge of the agreement said. The deal extends Chevron's outstanding
rights to the shallow-water oil and gas field known as Block Zero
through 2030.
Angola and other developing nations have been under
scrutiny from human rights groups, the International Monetary Fund, the
World Bank and the British government to reveal what they receive from
oil companies for access to national crude reserves. Angola has been
trying to strengthen ties with the United States and foreign investors,
and the payment announcement would come in the middle of Angolan
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos' three-day trip to the United States.
He met with President Bush on Wednesday morning. The
United States is the market for more than half of Angola's estimated
production of 950,000 barrels a day. Angola's finance minister, Jose
Pedro de Morais, disclosed the amount of the ChevronTexaco payment to
Angolan media last week, and a spokesman for the oil company confirmed
that an announcement was expected today, but did not provide details. De
Morais was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
What energy and mining companies pay governments for
drilling rights has become a hot-button issue as resources in the
developed world dry up. "We are running out of places to find oil," said
Karina Litvack, head of governance and socially responsible investment
at ISIS Asset Management in London. Oil companies are starting to look
for resources, she said, "where the money the companies pay the
government sometimes fuels corruption, instability or human rights
abuses."
By disclosing the amount it is being paid, Angola's
government is setting "a new standard for transparency," Litvack said.
SADC: Angolan Premier In Dar-es-Salaam For Summit
Dar-es-Salaam, 05/14 - The Prime Minister of
Angola, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, is already in Dar-es-Salaam,
administrative and commercial capital of Tanzania, to participate in
SADC`s Heads of State and of Government Summit, dedicated to agriculture
and food security.
The Premier, who represents at this event the Head of State, José
Eduardo dos Santos, arrived in the afternoon at Dar-es-Salaam Airport,
where he received welcome greetings from the Tanzanian Water Minister,
Edward Lowasa, from the Angolan Ambassador to Tanzania, Brito Sozinho,
and from the country`s delegation to this regional forum.
Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos will join the Heads of State and of
Government on Saturday, at Tulip Hotel, but today he will attend an
official dinner to be offered by the President of the United Republic of
Tanzania, Benjamim Mkapa.
The Tanzanian capital is awaiting the arrivals of Presidents Robert
Mugabe, of Zimbabwe, and Sam Nujoma, of Namíbia, at first the only Heads
of State coming whose countries, by details, are in an emergency
situation concerning food security.
This Friday, the Cabinet of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
began the final stage of preparation works of the extraordinary summit
of Head of States and of Government, to occur on Saturday.
The ministerial meeting is preparing the main issues which affect member
countries and which are included in the community`s strategic plan for
the increase of production and strengthening of food security.
This plan includes actions of short, medium and long terms, among which
it is highlighted the supply of main production elements such as
agricultural seeds and tools, the adoption of a policy for the
management of water and irrigation, the access to land, research and
dessimination of technologies, the creation of mechanisms for financing
the agricultural sector and the alleviation of AIDS impact in food
security.
George Bush analysed the bilateral relations
between Angola and the United States
Luanda, 05/12 - The Presidents of Angola and the United States of
America have discussed today, in Washington, the consolidation of the
peace process and the democratic institutions in the African country.
President dos Santos, according to a press note from the meeting, has
outlined to his counterpart and his top aides a complete view of the
positive development of the situation prevailing in Angola, since the
signing of the Peace Accords, in April 04, 2002, that put an end to the
three-decade of armed conflict.
The president stressed the progresses achieved in the humanitarian aid
field, which enabled the return and resettlement of more than three
million displaced people, and the recruitment of teachers to attend over
one million children.
At the same time, the Angolan Head of State informed that the country
still in need of emergency aid from the World Food Programme (WFP), in
which the US is its largest donor and thanked President Bush for the
important contribution from the US.
Concerning the post-war reconstruction, the Angolan leader said that the
effort of the country itself, is still very insufficient to restore
important infrastructures, such as roads, bridges and power system,
which are very useful for the economic development of the country.
Mr dos Santos called on the US for a more dynamic intervention, aiming
the holding of the much-awaited international donors conference, in
order to get funds for the rebuilding of a country devastated by a
three-decade of war.
USA: Country Is Open To Investments In
Various Sectors - Head Of State
Luanda, 05/12 - The Angolan
President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, affirmed on Tuesday, in Washington,
while speaking during a meeting with US businesspeople, that Angola is
open to investments in the most assorted fields.
The Angolan Statesman said that, seizing the opportunity offered by the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Angola is also expecting for
direct investments or partnership proposals, aiming the advantages of
this programme, that expects, among other aspects, the export of
products to the USA, with the regime of tax exemption.
"The measures that we have been taking in the internal level, for the
relief of all bureaucratic process concernig the foreign investment and
to make more attractive the conditions for those who invest will,
certainly, attract them too``, he said.
Thus, Jose Eduardo dos Santos demystificating some inquietudes,
considering that in Angola, the confrontation of idea remains, but
settled in healthy basis of tolerance and respect for difference.
"There were reached, finally, the essential basis for the relaunching of
the production activity in great scale and to define strategies of
medium and long term development without forgeting the need of
continuous adoption of measures that restore the confidence and hope to
the most ill-favoured sector of the population, which was also the one
that suffered most the consequences of the prolonged armed conflict``,
affirmed the Angolan Head of State.
President dos Santos, added also that the constant talks with the
international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary
Fund and the World Bank, have enabling the reestablisment of the
reciprocal confidence, which will lead to short-term agreements, capable
to restore all the differences of the past opinion and to reintegrate
the Angolan economy into the international plan.
Mr Jose Eduardo dos Santos is since Tuesday carrying out an official
visit to the USA, where is due to meet today President George W. Bush,
at the White House.
Cape Verde/Angola: Government Aims To Unmask
Certain Biassed Circles
Praia City 05/10 - Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos, said
Monday, in Praia city, that the recent decision of the Government to
reveal all its oil bills, aims at unmasking intrigues which certain
circles continue to propagate against the Angolan State and its main
leaders.
In discoursing at an extraordinary session of the Cape Verdian
Parliament, dedicated to his official visit to the archipelago, Eduardo
dos Santos said that this attitude also happens due to an internal will
for more transparency and is part of efforts relating to good governance
"which curently enliven a lot of countries", committed to participate in
an organised manner in the globalisation process.
In his speech, the Angolan Head of State stated that he has been
following with interest the process of consolidating democracy in Cape
Verde, since the first elections in February of the year 1991. "We
noticed that since then the political alternation has been functioning
well and that institutions carry out their duty freely", he stressed.
This, he added, has been carried out in the strict respect for the
sovereign will of Cape Verdian citizens in the whole world.
Dos Santos added that he equally follows Cape Verde`s efforts to
re-organise its economy, reduce the weight of the State, extend the
private sector, attract foreign investment, increase exportation and
improve the population`s living standards.
"These are processes which are conducted with prudence and a lot of
wisdom by the power instituted in this country", considered the Angolan
Statesmen, having congratulated Cape Verdians for the positive results
and examples already attained.
He refered that Angola continues sheltering a numerous Cape Verdian
community, which has been closely following the political and economic
process in his country, using their civic rights whenever needed.
He reiterated the desire of incrementing cooperation between Angola and
Cape Verde at all levels, overcoming all the hindrances which sometimes
do not allow to execute the accords signed and the programmes and
projects already decided.
He said that among both countries there is a privileged cooperation
space, missing only to have an impulse in order for the excellence of
bilateral relationship also to become in mutually advantageous accords
for the population of both countries, in the institutional, economic,
social and cultural level.
The plenary session which occured on Monday morning, counted with the
presence of 72 MPs, the Premier, José Maria das Neves, members of the
magistracy, of the Government of both countries, representatives of
religious entities, the civil society and political parties.
Monday, in sequency of his three day-stay in this archipelago, the
President of the Republic visits the "Agostinho Neto" hospital, one of
the main and the biggest hospital of Praia city.
Accompanied by top figures of the Cape Verdian government, José Eduardo
dos Santos visits the X-Ray premises, Surgery and Emergency Blocks and
other structures.
Still this Monday, the President meets privately with Premier José Maria
das Neves.
The presidential agenda for Monday afternoon reserved, among other
activities, a trip to the "old city", where he will visit the São Filipe
Royal Fotress, the See Cathedral Ruins, the Our Rosary Lady Church,
followed by a short cultural activity.
American Ambassador Satisfied With Government
Decision
Luanda, 05/06 - The Ambassador of the United States of
America to Angola, Christopher William Dell, considered today, in
Luanda, that Wednesday`s publishing by the Government concerning the oil
sector diagnosis, "represents a very important step in the process of
reforms and openings in Angola".
He said that this decision and another relating to the terms of the new
contract between Angola and General Texaco in Bloco Zero, represent
decisive steps in the transparency and opening of the country.
The diplomat equally said that "considering the lattest progresses
attained in the International Monetary Fund (FMI) "i believe (...), in
fact that Angola already made a very important change and that will also
strengthen the good atmosphere when President José Eduardo dos Santos
leaves for Washington".
The Government authorised on Wednesday the publishing of the oil sector
diagnosis elaborated by KPMG survey firm, considering the actions it has
been implementing in the ambit of good governing and transparency,
before President José Eduardo dos Santos` official visit to the United
States.
The referred diagnosis, it is remembered, assesses the management system
of oil revenues, including the institutional organisation, accounting,
financial and control proceedures, with the aim to give the Government
instruments to increase this sector`s transparency and its managing
capacity to monitor and evaluate the amounts and flows of revenues.
Parliament Authorises
Government To Extend Block Zero Oil Concession
Luanda, 05/04 - The Angolan Government
was today allowed, by the Parliament, to legislate on fiscal, exchange
and customs issues, in the ambit of oil concessions attributed to the
National Fuel Society of Angola, Public Firm (Sonangol - E.P.).
With this authorisation, the Angolan Government is able to extend the
concession of Block Zero, located at far northern Cabinda province,
attributed to CABGOC in the year 1966, by the Portuguese Government,
through a contract which offered to this North American firm the status
of exclusive concessionary for petroleum exploration until 2010.
By the 13/78 Act on oil activities, of 26 August, Sonangol became the
exclusive concessionary and CABGOC stopped having this status, being
composed with the national firm, AGIP and TOTAL "Joint-venture", whose
contracts were approved by the decree number 29/86, of 30 December.
After interventions from some MPs of opposition parties, who desired to
know the real value of oil revenues from Block Zero, the request for
concession was authorised with 80 votes in favour, 11 against and 30
abstention.
During the ocassion, Finance Minister, José Pedro de Morais, stated that
the revenues collected in the year 2003 were of 290 billion Kwanzas (USD
1 = 81,69), making up the most important part for the payment of
salaries of public workers (130 billion), and 170 billion for the
expenses with service rendering.
On his turn, the President of Sonangol`s Administration Council, Manuel
Vicente, stated that extending the production period will have a profit
of 16,2 billion dollars, 71 per cent belonging to the Government,
Sonangol with 12 and the rest 17 per cent for associated firms.
Angola Hosts Tripartite
Meeting On Okavango Basin
Luanda, 04/27 -
Experts from Angola, Botswana and Namibia are since Tuesday gathered, in
Luanda, at the 9th Meeting of the tripartite Permanent Commission,
regarding the Okavango basin, discussing matters of commom interest on
hydric resources.
For three days, the experts will assess the pace of the tri-national
project about the studies which have been made on the Okavango Basin and
the extent of implementation of the guidelines which came out of the
previous meeting.
The tripartite commission created by the Governments of Angola, Botswana
and Namibia, on 15 September 1994, in Windhoek, has the objective to
establish agreements on the way these states should share the hydric
resources in the Okavango basin.
This basin has as its components rivers which start in Angola (Kuito and
Cubango), in the southand and south-east, and end up in Botswana (passing
through Namibia).
According to the Spokesman of the meeting, Gomes da Silva, Angola as
being in charge of the Coordination Unit for the studies on the basin,
has the pleasure to host the first meeting in times of peace, stressing
that everything is ready for the setting up of the unit which will be
the headquarter, in Menongue (southern Kuando Kubango province).
He explained that for many years Angola did not do much about matters
connected with international basins due to the war which swept the
country, and also because of their geographical location difficult to
get to, reason why Angola would only give technical and juridical
support to the tripartite agreement.
The meeting is also being attended by representatives from ngo USAID,
the UN Global Environment Facility, UNDP and FAO.
Kwanza-Sul: FAS Invests USD
1.5 Million In Social Projects
Sumbe, 04/20 - About 30 social projects, to be
carried out from the second fortnight of May in Kwanza-Sul province,
will consume a one and a half million dollars of the Social Aid Fund (FAS).
Part of the first phase of FAS III project, the execution of these are
in building of schools, health centres, markets and basic drainage, in
the districts of Sumbe, Kibala, Cela, Seles, Amboim, Ebo and
Porto-Amboim, and counts with the financing of the World Bank, European
Union and of the Angolan Government.
According to the Press Adviser of the fund`s provincial board of
Kwanza-Sul province, Leonel Silva, carrying out of the refered projects
will be anteceded by the preparation and launching of public
competitions for building firms.
Around 121 social projects were carried out during FAS II in
Kwanza-Sulprovince, estimated at four million 485.265.069 dollars, being
3.780.901.15 offered by the World Bank, 377.168.55 by Norway, 6.300 by
the British petroleum and 320.895.99 by the Angolan Government.
The community contributed by means of free work and non specialised man
power.
These projects cover the sectors of water and basic drainage, education,
health, the economic- productive sector and environment, benefiting more
than 190.000 people in the districts of Sumbe and Porto-Amboim.
FAS III project was launched this monday in the province of Zaire, an
act witnessed by the Planning Minister, Ana Dias Lourenço, and was
attended by FAS`s Director General, Victor Hugo, as well as
respresentatives of the World Bank, European Union and members of the
diplomatic body of Norway and United Kingdom.
ChevronTexaco And Social
Partners Invest USD 40 Million In Agriculture
Luanda, 04/14 (Angop)- Some forty million US Dollars have been invested
in agricultural production and food aid projects during the year 2003,
in the provinces of Benguela, Bié, Huambo and Huíla, by several
petroleum companies, including ChevronTexaco, and other American Non
Governmental Organisations which operate in Angola.
According to ChevronTexaco`s director for public and governmental
relations, in Angola, Fernando Paiva, who was speaking at the opening
session of the national conference on agriculture, the projects are
being implemented in partnership with the Institute for Agronomic
Development and the Institute for Agronomic Research, both institutions
under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Besides ChevronTexaco, the said project, which is to mobilize over
900.000 people, counts with the participation of NGOs such as USAID,
CARE, World Vision, Africare and Save the Children.
ChevronTexaco and other associate companies operating on "Block Zero"
exploration area, in partnership with ACDI/VOCA and USAID have been
implementing an agricultural programme in the northern Cabinda province,
which is estimated at 3 million US Dollars.
Fernando Paiva also informed that the ChevronTexaco and associate firms
of "Block 2" are drafting development projects for the agricultural
sector of the northern Zaire province.
He explained that ChevronTexaco has been working with specialized NGOs
aiming at giving prompt response to some of the challenges facing the
country.
On his opinion to invest in agriculture enables the return to rural
development resources, whose impact will reflect on poverty reduction
and, consequently, an increase on family income. Angop/net/jmc
Tanzania: SADC Indicative
Strategic Development Plan Launched
Arusha, 03/12 - The Regional Indicative Strategic
Development Plan (RISDP), of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC),
was launched this Friday, in Arusha, Tanzania.
RISDP`s launching ceremony and the opening of SADC`s Council of
Ministers meeting was attended by an Angolan ministerial delegation led
by the Planning Minister, Ana Dias Lourenço.
The objectives of RISDP, on a short, medium and long terms, are food
security, good governance, convergence and economic growth in the region,
reabilitation, recovering and building of transports infra-structures.
The Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan equally aims at
promoting trade, Customs Unity and the creation of a common market in
the Southern Africa region, in the ambit of strengthening and
consolidating regional integration.
During the act, the President of Tanzania, Benjamim William Mkapa, said
that RISDP aims at freeing member states from poverty and make their
economies strong and sustainable.
The Tanzanian President considered that the plan also has other
objectives in the social development sector, among which he highlighted
the promotion of gender equality and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Concerning AIDS, Benjamim Mkapa stated that no region in the world is
more affected than SADC, adding that the future depends on what is
currently done to avoid the disease.
After presiding the lauching of the Plan, the Tanzanian Head of State
recieved in audience the Angolan Minister of Planning, Ana Dias
Lourenço, who carried a message from President José Eduardo dos Santos,
appealing for Tanzania´s support to the candidacy of the Angolan Luis
Gomes Sambo to the post of Regional Director for Africa of the World
Health Organization (WHO).
SADC`s Council of Ministers meeting, which began this Friday, happens
until Saturday and among various issues are the debate about the
financial contribution of member states, approval of the agenda for the
extraordinary summit on food security, to happen in May, in Dar es
Salaam (Tanzania), as well as SADC`s relationship with India and the
European Union.
Angolans To Get Tele-medicine Treatment In South
Africa
Luanda, 03/04 - Angolans suffering from illnesses which are difficult to
be treated in the country will soon have the possibility to be assisted
by specialists of South Africa public hospitals, through tele-medicine.
This methodology of treatment is inserted in a cooperation accord signed
in January by the Angola Health Ministry (MINSA) and South Africa¦s
National Health Department.
In this framework, an Angolan Commission made up by health technicians
has been set up recently with the goal to monitor the execution of the
agreement, well as create technical and human conditions for the
materialization of tele-medicine (distance treatment through satellite).
The group is also assigned to enlist the hospitals to be geminated with
others from South Africa, select the patients to be sent under the
agreement, as well as coordinate the actions of cadres training.
In May 2002, the governments of Angola and South Africa signed a
Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the various fields of
health.
In January this year, the Minister of Health, Albertina Hamukwaia, moved
to South Africa, where she signed a cooperation agreement with her local
counterpart, Manto Tshabalala.
Italian Cooperation To
Build 90 Social Infrastructures
Luanda, Mar 3 - About 90 schools and health
centres will be built in seven out of the country`s 18 Provinces till
the year 2008 on an Italian Cooperation funding on Wednesday here
announced its director, Carlos Cibo.
The initiative, according to the source, is part of an emergency
programme of the Italian Cooperation, meant to support Angolan needy
populations.
Meanwhile, the Italian Cooperation has spent four million Euros in
foodstuffs for displaced persons, demobilised soldiers and war victims.
SONANGOL And
ESSO Announce Seventeenth Oil Discovery
Luanda, 03/02 - The National
Fuel Society of Angola (SONANGOL) and Esso Exploration Angola (a member
of the Exxon Mobil Corporation) announced the seventeenth oil discovery
in deep waters of Block 15 of the Angolan offshore.
ANGOP learnt that the drilling of the well is of 3.589 feet deep (1.094
metres) of water layer and reaches a general depth of 10.613 feet. In
the preparation phase, the well produced more than 2.000 barrels of oil
per day.
SONANGOL and ESSO have alr3eady announced 16 discoveries at Block 15 in
the last five years, namely Hungo, Kissange, Marimba and Dikanza (1998),
Chocalho and Xicomba (1999), Mondo,Saxi and Batuque (2000), Mbulumbumba,
Vicango and Mavacola (2001), Reco Reco (2002), Clochas, Kacocha and
Tchihumba (2003).
Sonangol is a concessionry of Block 15 and Esso is an associate which
has a 40 percent participation as an operator.
Government Pays Debt To Germany
Luanda, 02/27 - Angola will pay, until November 2005, 135 million dollars
to the Government of Germany, to clear off the debt concerning the payment
of its obligations with supplies and loans granted by the former German
Democratic Republic (GDR).
The obligations are part of an accord signed in the year 2003 by the
Governments of Angola and of Germany, says one of the recently published
State Gazette, made available to ANGOP, in Luanda.
The payments to the former GDR, are part of accords signed on the 21st of
October 1983 and on the 8th of January 1987, concerning the granting of
commercial loans and supplies to Angolan buyers, carried out by foreign
trade firms of the extinct German Democratic Republic.
For the payment of this debt, both Governments signed, in the same date, a
second inter-governmental agreement which foresees technical adjustment
about bank payments, pay methods and the amounts of each installment.
According to the technical adjustment, the first installment (USD 34
million) would be totally paid by December 15, 2003, the second one (67
million) will be paid by November the 1st 2004, and the last (34 million)
by November 15, 2005.
EDEL Launches Electrical Energy
Improvement Project
Luanda, 02/26 - The first stone of a project which aims at improving the
supply of electrical energy in some areas of the Angolan capital, will be
launched this Thursday in Cazenga district, by the Eletcricity Distribution
Firm of Luanda (EDEL).
Esimated at 15 million dollars, the project will be carried out in the wards
of Cazenga, Adriano Moreira, Hoji-ya-Henda, Petrangol, Sambizanga, Prenda,
Rocha Pinto, Samba, Sagrada Esperança, Corimba, Golfe, Neves Bendinha,
Kinanga and Palanca.
In ambit of this, 60 Electrical Posts will be installed to strengthen the
current capacity and expanding networks to new residential areas in the
refered zones.
The lauching act will be attended by the Minister of Energy and Water,
Botelho de Vasconcelos, and the ambassador of China in Angola, representing
the financing country.
Government To Request Microsoft To Set Up
Repair Factory
Angolan Government will request Microsoft to set up a factory
in Angola to repair and recover computers, so as to help reduce the cost of
this technological device.
According to the coordinator of the National Commission for Information
Technologies (CNTI), Pedro Teta, who gave the said information, if this
request is accepted and materialized, citizens will be able to find
computers at the price of 100 or 200 US Dollars, since a lot of people
cannot afford to buy one with the current prices of 1.500 to 2000 US Dollars.
In this way, he said, the Government will be able to fulfil its policy of
spreading countrywide the use of information technologies as well as the
access to Internet.
Microsoft`s activities also includes collecting used computers, worldwide,
recovering them and changing the software.
The CNTI also has a shop were they repair computers donated by petroleum
companies.
Some of the repaired computers are being used to set up community centres,
in the country`s main cities, with internet facility.
China Pledges To Support Angola`s
Reconstruction
Luanda, 02/23 - Chinese ambassador to Angola, Zhang Beisan,
on Monday, here, manifested to the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos
Santos, China`s willingness to participate in the national reconstruction of
Angola and reinforce bilateral cooperation.
The Chinese diplomat expressed this pledge during a 20-minute audience he
had this morning with president José Eduardo dos Santos, which took place in
the Presidential Palace.
At the end of the meeting, the Chinese diplomat said to the Press that he
also informed the Angolan president about the Chinese Government`s interest
in strengthening the cooperation between both countries, in the economic
field.
He added that Angola has all the conditions to develop the referred economic
cooperation, explaining that both the Angolan statesman and the Chinese
authorities are giving a lot of importance to the development of bilateral
relations.
Zhang Beisan also said that during the audience president José Eduardo dos
Santos expressed his condolences for the victims of natural disasters, which
recently occurred in China.
Benguela: Social Aid Fund
Invests Over USD 4 M In Infra-Structures
Benguela, 02/20 - At least USD
4.4 million is the amount invested by the Social Aid Fund (FAS) in the
building of social, economic and productive infra-structures during the
2000/2003 period in south-western Benguela province.
The projects, from which 41 belong to the education sector (schools and
training centres), 17 for health centres and others in the water and
productive sectors, will benefit about 92.375 people in the districts of
Benguela, Lobito and Baía-Farta.
Speaking to ANGOP, on Thursday, the Director of FAS in Benguela province,
Carlos Guardado, affirmed that the construction of infra-structures
represents the fulfilment of the outlined goals, despite different
constraints.
He added that to solve this situation, various training seminars directed to
staffs of municipal and communal administrations were held.
Mr Guardado explained that the Social Aid Fund will only finance and
fiscalize the projects, which will be approved in municipal administrations,
therefore, there is a need of a greater intervention by its officials.
Macro-Economic Assistance Project Estimated At USD 20 Million
Luanda, 02/18 - The
implementation of the project to provide Technical Assistance for
Macro-Economic Management (ENTA) is estimated at 20 million US Dollars, out
of which 16.6 million is a contribution from the World Bank (WB) and the
remainder from the Angolan Government.
This information was given today by the coordinator of ENTA, Luís Filipe,
alongside a seminar which served to launch and give clarifications about the
project.
The project, which was approved on 27 May 2003, is essentially turned to
matters relating to the country`s socio-economic development, mainly the
fight against famine, malaria, tuberculosis and other problems identified by
the Angolan State.
This has been adopted by the Government for better management of public
resources, statistics, outlining new methodologies to implement sectoral and
provincial strategies on the programme of Public Investiments and assistance
to the National Reserve Bank in the implementation of payment procedures in
the country.
The project is being implemented jointly by the ministries of Planning and
Finances, as well as the National Reserve Bank and the National Institute
for Statistics.
The deputy Planning minister, Carlos Alberto Lopes, who opened the seminar,
highlighted the strategic impact of the project in the perspective of
economic development.
According to the deputy Planning minister the credit to implement the ENTA
project is mainly aimed at introducing substantial improvements in the
management of public resources, and is part of the World Bank`s transition
strategy.
The seminar, which will end on Friday, is being attended by workers of the
ministries of Planning and Finances, as well as officials from the Angolan
National Reserve Bank, National Institute for Statistics and the World Bank.
Angola and China Sign Intentions Protocol On
Construction
Luanda, 02/17 - A protocol of intentions in the field of civil construction
was signed this Tuesday, in Luanda, between the National Direction for
Construction Materials of the Public Works ministry and the Chinese Fine
Chemicals Company.
The document was signed by Angola`s national director for Construction
Materials, Sousa e Santos, and the general director of the Chinese Fine
Chemicals Company, Wei Qi.
The protocol, which is under the responsibility of the Public Works Ministry,
is to be implemented by Angola`s private sector and the referred Chinese
company.
According to the agreement, the Chinese company has to be build, in the
central Kwanza-Sul province, a cement factory, a commercial centre to sell
construction materials and a ceramic shop to make roof-tiles and bricks.
The document also includes the building of houses in the provinces of Luanda,
Benguela and Huambo.
According to the Public Works minister, Higino Carneiro, the inauguration of
some of the projects will happen next year.
Prime Minister Off To NEPAD Summit
Luanda, 02/13 - The Angolan Prime Minister, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos
"Nando", left the country Friday bound for Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the 9th
Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Governments on the implementation
of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
Mr Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos will represent the Angolan President,
Jose Eduardo dos Santos, and on February 14, the Premier will meet various
African Heads of State to debate the progresses achieved by NEPAD.
The meeting will have has main topic the adhesion to mechanisms allowing
participating African countries control the developed actions meant to promote
good governance and efficient management, plus respect for human rights.
The Heads of State might also approve the criteria of evaluations proposed by a
panel of experts and set up a timetable for assessments.
In the ambit of this mechanism, countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius and
Rwanda will be assessed yet this year.
Besides those countries, 12 more countries already adhered to the mechanism,
namely Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Africa,
Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Algeria and Ethiopia.
Established in 2001, the NEPAD intends to help the African continent get rid of
under-development, by attracting private investment with the guarantee of "good
governance" by the Africans.
Materminders of this initiative are the Presidents of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki,
Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abdelaziz Bouteflika,
of Algeria.
National Diamond Company Offers
Award To Head Of State
Luanda, 02/11- The directive board of
the State-owned National Diamond Company (ENDIAMA), on Wednesday, here, offered
its international "Quality Crown Award" to the Angolan Head of State.
It is a golden trophy and a Diploma of Merit passed last December, in London, by
the international marketing corporation, Business Initiative Directions (BID).
BID has given ENDIAMA the referred award for the way the company has been
conducting its business, providing continuous staff training as well as the
positive way its been transforming the communities in the diamond exploration
areas.
ENDIAMA has been selected from a list of 9500 companies worldwide, through a
voting which took place in the Internet.
Business Initiative Directions (BID), was founded in 1964, started its promotion
and marketing actvities in 1968, and it has given awards to companies of about
166 countries.
Speaking briefly, the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, said that
he hopes he can count on the continuous commitment of ENDIAMA to develop the
country`s diamond exploration sector.
Meanwhile, the Angolan minister for Geology and Mining, Manuel Africano, said
that the International Award received by ENDIAMA demonstrates, unequivocally,
that the Angolan Government is on right track, adding that it is necessary to
widen the notion of mineral resources exploration in the country.
Cabinet Approves National Farming
Development Programme
Luanda, 02/12 - Angola`s Cabinet
Council Standing Commission Wednesday in Luanda approved the National Programme
on Farming and Cattle Raising at a session chaired by head of State José Eduardo
dos Santos.
A communiqué released at the end of the meeting states that the programme aims
at food self-sufficiency in cereals and beef and setting up an industry for
poultry, seafood and beef derivatives.
The project requires about Usd 200 million of which 85 percent will come from
external aid to help meet the country`s needs with imported goods and services.
The implementation of the programme is expected to provide direct and indirect
jobs and requires the drafting of sub-programmes of support in the domains of
training, research and construction of communication and storing facilities.
The Cabinet Standing Commission analysed as well the evolution of the country`s
monetary, exchange and real markets and gave the Finance minister green light to
enforce a set of measures in the fiscal, exchange and monetary domains, with a
view to securing the macro-economic stability trend and generate as many jobs as
possible.
Huila: Government Spends USD
500,000 In Bridges Repair
Lubango, 10/02 - About USD 500,000 will be used from next April in
rehabilitation of two bridges at Kuvango and Jamba districts, both located in
south-western Huíla province.
Speaking to Angop, today in Lubango city, the provincial director of the Public
Works Ministry, Jose Teofilo, stated that the referred bridges are the ones over
Colai and Kuvango rivers, with 40 and 85 metres , respectively .
The project, part of the public investments programme for this year, will be in
charge of the National Bridge-building Company (ENP).
Kuvango and Jamba Municipalities are located at 350 and 256 kilometres of
Lubango city.
Huila: Norwegian
Organization Offers USD 2.5 Million For Refugee Aid
Lubango, 10/02 - At least USD 2.5 million will be used this year, by Norwegian
Council for Refugees (NCR) in a refugees resettlement and returning programme
in Southern Angola.
According to Jon Telum, representative of the organization, who was speaking
to Angop in Lubango city, the amount will be used in the rebuilding of 60
houses for the rural population in the province of Namibe and acquisition of
farming materials for the population in Huila province.
Mr Jon Telum explained that his organization has in place a cattle-breeding
project, for the newly-resettled people, as well as refugees coming from
neighbouring Namibia, Zambia e Botswana.
The NCR is going to give logistical support to the refugees, as well as to
hire vehicles to transport them, and to train community trainers and health
activists.
In the southern region of Angola, the Norwegian organization normally assists
about 130,000 people in monthly basis, specially those living in the
municipalities of Mavinga, Cuchi, Cuangar and Calari (Kuando-Kubango), Caconda
and Chipindo, (Huíla). In 2003, the NCR spent about USD 2.5 million in similar
projects.
Country To Get USD 200 Million To Reconstruct
Infrastructures
Luanda, 02/10 - In the framework of the bilateral cooperation with Angola, the
Bank for Development in Southern Africa (BDSA) will open a credit line of 200
million US Dollars for the country, which is intended mainly for the
reconstruction of roads infrastructures.
It is a long term financing which will mobilize resources to contribute to a
fast implementation of Angola`s economic programme.
According to Aguinaldo Jaime, with this financing conditions are now created for
other accords, the opening of more opportunities, in different areas.
Initially, the Savings and Credit Bank of Angola (BPC) will get 30 million, and
according to its chairman of the Administration Council, Paixão Júnior, the
referred amount will be used in the execution of projetcs in telecommunications,
rehabilitation of roads infrastructures, reconstruction of bridges, airports and
ports, as well as in the branch of real estate property.
BDSA is the first South African bank to open a credit line of investiments for
Angola.
Lobito/Huambo Railroad Rehabilitation Through in
December
The Benguela railroad has a key role for the development of Angola and of
Southern Africa
Luanda, 02/10 - The rehabilitation of the Lobito/Huambo 450-kilometre railroad
will be complete by the end of December this year, the director general of the
Benguela Railway (CFB) told journalists today in Luanda.
Daniel Kipaxi said that 98 kilometres of railroad have so far been repaired in
Angola`s central Benguela province, plus 34 in the Huambo region, also centre.
The work consisted in the fitting of sleepers, rails and repair of bridges,
demining of the road, the source added.
According to Daniel Kipaxi, there is a CFB programme, designed by the Government,
that comprises four phases of work.
The first phase includes the stretch between Benguela and Huambo, (both centre)
while the second comprises the stretch between Huambo and Bie (centre). The
third will go from Luau to Luena (eastern Moxico province), whereas the fourth
will connect Luena with Bié.
In addition to the rehabilitation of the railway, the project includes the
construction and repair of the various stations along the road.
Currently, the working brigades are engaged in the connection between the
Benguela province`s Lobito port city with Huambo, the source said.
Despite some constraints arising from landmines on the Benguela/Huambo stretch,
218 kilometres might be complete by December this year.
He said that most of the material and equipment purchased by CFB for the
rehabilitation of the railway are already in the country.
With 1.165 kilometres of length, CFB stretches from the coastal Benguela
province up to the locality of Luau in far eastern Moxico province that borders
with neighbouring Republic of Zambia.
Owned by the Angolan State, CFB was run by a Belgian firm, under a lease that
lasted till more than four years ago.
The CFB is a key element not only for the recovery of Angola, but also for the
traffic of goods within central and southern África.
Kwanza-Sul: Bridge Repair Costs USD
500.000
Sumbe, 10/02 - At least USD 500,000 is the amount to be
used in the rehabilitation works of the bridge over Cambondo river, located in
Sumbe city, coastal Kwanza-Sul province, informed this Tuesday the director of
Public Works, Anenias Manuel.
The works, being implemented by the National Institute of Bridges, began last
January 20 and is due to end by next May.
According to Anenias Manuel, currently the work is focused on the reinforcement
of the bridge`s concrete physcial structure, following the protection of the
river`s banks and bed, which tends to change its course, due to the increase of
its discharge.
He guaranteed that, while the works are on course, the traffic will be as usual
in all directions (north and south), considering the importance of this bridge
in the region`s economy.
The bridge over Cambongo river is in the city of Sumbe, in the road which
connects the cities of Sumbe and Porto Amboim.
Benguela: USD 80 Million for
Railway Demining
Lobito, Feb 09 - At least Usd 80 million will be
used for the completion of Angola`s Benguela RailWay (CFB) demining a process
that has been in progress for the last two years, a source from the company told
Angop today here.
The delay in the works resulting from the lack of financial resources, is
worrying the CFB management, in view of the goals set for the year 2004, with
highlight to the restore of the connection between the central provinces of
Benguela and Huambo.
The source added that the teams involved in the landmine clearing are only
working over a 20 kilometres stretch of the railroad.
Meanwhile, CFB director general, Daniel Quipaxe, recently spoke of the existence
of explosive devices on the railroad as the main hindrance to the works, after
the rehabilitation of the bridges over the Cubal (Benguela) and Kunhongama
(Huambo) rivers.
He also said that the Cuando hydroelectric dam that supplies power to the CFB in
Huambo has been rehabilitated.
He also mentioned the launch of two locomotives on the road, works on the Sapa
River and purchase of demining and communication equipment and other things.
With 1.165 kilometres of length, CFB stretches from the coastal Benguela
province up to the locality of Luau in far eastern Moxico province that borders
with neighbouring Republic of Zambia.
Owned by the Angolan State, CFB was run by a Belgian firm, under a lease that
lasted till more than four years ago.
Over Two Million Dollars Invested In
Food Industry
Lobito, 02/09 - The "Alves e Irmãos" business group invested more than Usd two
million last year in Lobito, Angola`s central Benguela province, in the
construction of two wheat flour and tomato transforming plants meant to boost
the food industry in the region.
The construction of the plants with the capacity to transform 500 tons of
wheat flour into biscuits a day and 10 tons of tomato into sauce, constitutes
one of the great challenges to the private business group under the "Industria
Alimentar Reunida" (INAR) in 2003.
In the same period, the group built as well a factory of containers for water
and alcoholic drinks, with a capacity to produce 3.000 units per hour.
A source from INAR (Reunited Food Industry) announced today that nine bakeries
will start working this year in the province, after the launch of the wheat
transforming plant.
INAR is planning to create 500 new jobs, in addition to its current 200.
Lunda-Norte: Prime Minister Inaugurates University Unit In Dundo
Dundo, 02/02 - A Higher School of Pedagogy was inaugurated today
in Dundo, Angola`s northeastern Lunda-Norte province, by Prime Minister,
Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, in what is seen as the expansion of
University teaching to that diamond-rich region of the country.
The Higher School of Pedagogy is housed in a newly built 23-classroom complex,
with two laboratories, a conference hall, a computing room, and an internal
library, all nicely equipped, having a capacity for 1.000 students per shift.
Estimated at Usd 2.8 million, including the equipment, the School was designed
to run higher degrees in pedagogy. From the functional point of view, the
University unit is methodologically under Agostinho Neto University (UAN)
chancellery, but receives logistic and financial support from the State Budget.
To this end, the provincial governor, Gomes Maiato, and UAN deputy chancellor
for academic matters, Suzanete da Costa, signed today a cooperation protocol
covering all tasks concerning the functioning of the Unit.
This includes the definition of the courses to be run, the upgrading of locally
recruited lecturers, the designing of course syllabuses, students admission
tests and preparation of preparatory courses.
Seeking a better performance of the institution, seen as the most relevant
social undertaking over the seven years Gomes Maiato has been running the
province, a 300-bed hostel will be built near the University Unit.
The hostel is meant to accommodated students from neighbouring provinces like
Lunda-Sul, Moxico and Malanje.
The prime minister that started a two-day working visit to Lunda-Norte, met with
local Government members who presented to briefed him on the pace of
implementation of development projects in the province.
The projects include that towards improving and increasing the supply of basic
social services to the populations, under the 2003/04 biennial, that has been
accomplished by 50 percent, according to information supplied to the press.
The actions under this programme are focused on in the fields of education,
health, public works, electricity and waters. Under the Government Public
Investment Plan, stress goes to the rehabilitation of and re-equipping of the
provincial Government headquarters, equipping of the protocol residence of the
provincial governor, and two residential condominiums with a total of 44 houses,
a provincial library and two sporting sites, all in Dundo.
Also complete are the works of rehabilitation of the Provincial Court.
As to the province`s Development Directing Plan, Gomes Maiato`s government is
carrying out actions aimed at its drafting for the 2004/08 period.
Meanwhile, Angop received a document containing the draft of the province`s
economic growth model that combines the interests involved in the exploration of
diamonds and those of the local population.
The document will later be submitted to the Cabinet Council for approval.
The prime minister and the central Government members accompanying him, visited
the Luachimo hydroelectric station, the Caconda agro-farming project, a school
and medical centre at Samunhinga compound and the works on ravine that is
threatening to block road traffick and separate some compounds of Dundo.
In the afternoon, the prime minister is receiving representatives of political
parties, churches, traditional authorities, socio-professional associations,
trade unions, NGO`s and others.
On Tuesday, the programme includes visits to two new Dundo city residential
areas, the ethnographic Museum, the provincial hospital, before a meeting with
the Council of the Province.
This is the first time this year prime minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos
Santos visits Lunda-Norte, as part of a programme that led him last year to nine
other privinces.
Microsoft To Build Computing Academy In The Country
Luanda 01/30 - World computing leader "Microsoft" will build, in Angola, an
academy of computing and assist the Government to create its website.
According to a cooperation agreement recently signed in Davos (Switzerland)between
the Angolan government and Microsoft", the computing firm will also offer
instruments which facilitate communication between the citizen and the national
government.
Microsoft will equally establish, in the country, computer contents for schools,
training of teachers and advisory in the educational reform (in the sector of
information technology), as well as offer products of Windows operational system.
From the agreement, Angola hopes to acquire mechanisms which assure the creation
of a national software industry, like in India, Tunisia and Egypt. The agreement
was signed on the 23rd of January 2004, during the World Trade Summit.
Angola was represented by the Vice-Minister of Science and Technology, Pedro
Sebastião Teta, who revealed the fact to Angop
Cotton Production
Re-launched In Lower Kassanje
Malanje, 01/30 - The re-launch of cotton production, cattle-raising,
pisciculture and poultry breeding, in the northern Malanje province, are part
of a project to be implemented, in the next few days, by the surviving
descendents of the Lower Kassanje peasants who were killed in the decade 0f
1960 by the then colonial authorities.
The project, estimated at 342 thousand Dollars, aims at taking advantage of
the region`s potentialities in terms of agriculture and cattle-raising, as
well as increase the offer of basic products, thus, improving living
conditions of the people.
This project also includes the rehabilitation of the road which connects Lower
Kassanje to the Malanje capital town, as well as the creation of technical
conditions to enable an efficient execution of projects.
Besides Lower Kassanje, the project will be extended to some other
municipalities of Malanje and the neighbouring Lunda-Norte province.
The Lower Kassanje region comprises six municipalities of Malanje and five of
Lunda-Norte.
Cabinet Analyses Strategy
To Fight Poverty
Luanda,
01/301 - Cabinet Council is gathered today, since morning, in Luanda to
analyse, among other documents, the strategy to fight poverty and a proposal
of a bill to regulate the petroleum exploration system.
Chaired by the President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, the meeting
which ends today, is also going to analyse a proposal of a bill which outlines
the alteration Luanda`s political and administrative division, as well as the
document of the National Inter-Sectoral Commission for Demining and
Humanitarian Assistance to victims of landmines.
The Cabinet Council will equally analyse the participation of national
entrepreneurs in the fabrication of equipment for water distribution, among
other aspects.
Portuguese Businessmen To
Invest In Benguela Province
Benguela,
01/30 - Visiting Portuguese businessmen with the Opporto City based Institute
of Support to Industrial Firms will invest in the development of Benguela
province`s industrial sector in view of the business opportunity noted in the
region.
This was said by the head of the Portuguese business delegation that ended on
Thursday a visit meant to survey the Benguela potential, adding that some
projects have been identified that might be implemented soon.
Antonio Castro Vide who would not disclose the costs, pointed out the sectors
of energy, metal-mechanics and textile industry as the priority.
Thus, the source said that the strengthening of the higher education in
Benguela within the terms of the cooperation with the Agostinho Neto
University, will deserve a special attention from the businessmen.
During the 24 hours stay in the province, the Portuguese business delegation
met with local counterparts with a view to outlining strategies for the
setting up of partnerships in various fields of activity.
Angola
and Brazil Sign Accord On Fisheries
Luanda, 01/30 - Angola and Brazil on
Thursday signed an agreement on technical training in the fields of fisheries
and aquaculture to last until one of the country notifies its intention to put
and end to it.
According to Angolan Minister of fisheries, Salomao Xirimbimbi, at a first stage,
the country will strengthen scientific research, coupled with technical and
professional training of personnel in the area of fisheries.
The Minister announced that in addition to sending personnel abroad and in order
to widen training in the sector of fisheries, the Government will build a higher
training school in Namibe province (southwest) this year, for which funding has
already been secured.
The agreement signed by both fishing incumbent ministers, SalomÒo Xirimbimbi
(Angola) and Jose Fritsch (Brazil) follows negotiations that started in 2001
between the two states.
Accompanying Jose Fritsch in this trip to Angola are Brazilian business related
people that operate in various areas of fishery. The visiting delegation arrived
in Luanda on January 25th.
Construction Of Motorway Forces Demolitions
Luanda, 01/30 - Several residences
and other structures along Catete road will be demolished to allow the
construction of a motorway which will go up to Viana district, in Luanda,
announced Wednesday, here, the coordinator of the managing comission for the
Province, Higino Carneiro.
Higino Carneiro, who was speaking at the end of a working visit to Kilamba
Kiaxi district, added that due to the increase of vehicles in Luanda and the
city`s expansion to Viana that road registers heavy traffic-jam during the day.
According to him, other buildings with several floors, located at Neves
Bendinha Kilamba Kiaxi, might be demolished as they violate Luanda`s
urbanization plan and put at risk the air navigation.
The Government will take the responsibility for any works done on
authorization, he asserted, but warned that public agents will respond before
the court for any individual authorisation for undertakings.
Commenting on plots of land occupied by soldiers, he said solutions will be
found to safeguard the interests of Luanda urbanistic planning, and admitted
the possibility to legalize the mentioned plots, but respecting the standards
and the law.
Higino Carneiro also spoke on the construction of a new dumps parallel to the
one under construction in Cacuaco district to avoid that rubbish removal
trucks move long distances.
The head of the managing comission has pledged to built 500 classrooms in
Luanda in six months.
Higino Carneiro aknowledged that the problems are common, adding that priority
must be set having into account the necessities and financial capacity, to
overcome the situation.
New Constitution Brings About
Major Clearness To The Political System
Luanda, 01/28 - The Co-ordinator of the Technical
Commission that worked out the draft-bill for the future Constitution, Rui
Ferreira, Tuesday said the country`s future chief law will bring about much
more clearness to the Angolan political system and citizens will dispose of
more sureties with regard to respect of their rights.
Rui Ferreira, who was addressing press after the presentation of the draft
bill to members of the Constitutional Commission of the National Assembly (Parliament),
added that the country will give a step forward for the affirmation of the
society`s democratic nature.
Besides the preface, the future Constitution is divided in three parts and
entails 351 articles. Due to its extension, each part is structured into
titles and chapters.
The Jurist said the issues were analysed from the technical point of view by a
team work, which used the nine projects of proposal for the Constitution
presented by the Angolan political parties, namely MPLA, UNITA, PDP-ANA, PLD,
PRS, FDA, PNDA, FNLA and PSD.
Meanwhile, he said this draft-bill, is the best found from the nine analysed
proposals, particularly those presented by MPLA, UNITA, PDP-ANA, PLD and PRS.
On the other hand, MP Carlos Magalhães told press that Constitutional
Commission members have 30 days to discuss the document with their respective
parties, and the Commission will meet again on March the 3rd.
This Commission was set up in 1998 and has 44 members, being 25 from MPLA (ruling
party) and 15 from UNITA (main opposition), whereas FNLA, PRS and PLD have one
MP each.
A lone MP represents the other parties with only one seat in Parliament,
namely AD-Coligação (a coalition of small parties), PNDA, PSD, PDP-ANA, PAJOCA,
PRD, FDA.
Head Of State Proceeds With
Cabinet Reshuffle
Luanda, 01/28 - President of the Republic , José Eduardo
dos Santos, proceeded today his Cabinet reshuffle, by issuing a Presidential
Decree, in which he dismisses the provincial governor of Zaire, Ludi
Kissassunda.
According to a note from the Presidential Support Services Office , were
equally dismissed from their respective posts, Eduardo Severim de Morais and
Manuel José Nunes Júnior, deputy ministers for Planning and Finances,
respectively.
Carlos Maria da Silva Feijó, advisor of the President for regional and Local
matters, Frederico Manuel Silva Cardoso, Assistant Secretary of the Cabinet
Council and Adriano Rafael Pascoal, Vice-Governor of the National Reserve Bank,
were also dismissed by Presidential Decree.
On the other hand, the Head of State, appointed Carlos Maria da Silva Feijó to
the position of Head of the Presidential Office for Civil Affairs, Pedro
Sebastião as governor of Zaire, and Eduardo Severim de Morais to be the deputy
minister of Finances.
Luís de Assunção Mota Liz, who is at present deputy Attorney General
functioning at the National Department for Criminal Investigation (DNIC), was
appointed to be the Assistant Secretary of the Cabinet Council
Ericsson Dealer To Boost
Investments In Angola
Luanda, 01/27
- The representative of the Ericsson wireless in Angola, Leif Biureborg,
showed on Monday, here, the interest of his institution to increase, soon, its
investments in Angola in the field of telecommunications.
Speaking to Angop at the end of a seminar on telecommunication, Leif Biureborg,
said that his institution intends to invest in a wide range of
telecommunications, such as infrastructures, cables, mobiles, operators and
increase the customer service among others.
A 16-businessmen Swedish delegation is in the country since January 25, to
analyse the Angolan market in the sectors of telecommunications and energy.
On his point of view, in a time that the country is living in peace, it is the
opportune moment to aid the reconstruction of the infrastructures of
telecommunication and other future investments.
According to the Ericsson representative in Angola, the move is of a great
interest, in this period of national reconstruction, as it will enable the
strengthening of trade relations between both countries.
In this ambit, he explained that the Swedish businesspeople are now working in
partnership with the Angola Telecom Company and the Post Office and
Telecommunication Ministry.
The Ericsson was establish in 1888 and is represented in 146 countries, being
one of the world`s leading telecommunications firms.
On the other hand, the director of Angola Telecom, Eduardo Avelino, affirmed
that Angola had a positive result on the cooperation with Sweden in the period
of the extinct National Company of Telecommunication (Enatel).
The official added that it will be positive for a possible new cooperation in
the field of telecommunications with Sweden, taking into account its
technologic and management development.
Benguela: Factory Of Oil
Prospecting Material Starts On February
Benguela, 01/27 - A factory of oil prospecting material
in the off-shore system of Angola`s south-west Benguela province, astricted to
Angoflex company, will start functioning next month.
An official source with the management of the Angoflex company, told Angop
that after four months of tests on the machinery and on the material to be
manufactured, the experts concluded that the factory is in conditions to
produce the underwater pipes.
With a capacity to produce about 50,000 meters of underwater pipes per year,
this is the first factory to aid the oil operations, built up in Africa, the
fifth in the world, after France, United Kindom, Brazil and USA.
Established by Sonangol (Oil Company) and the French Multinational Technip-
Coflexip, the Angoflex, whose capital is estimated at USD 370,000, is of
Angolan ownership, being 70 percent for the foreign multinational and the rest
for the National Society of fuel (Sonangol).
The agreement on the establishment of the company was celebrated on 2000 and
approved in 2003.
The factory will create at least 100 jobs, 90 percent of them recruited in
south-west Benguela province.
Bié:
USAID Invests 54 Million In Social Projects
Kuito, 01/23 - At least USD 54 million are being used in projects of
socio-economic resettlement and reintegration of ex-soldiers of UNITA, in five
of the country`s eighteen province, informed on Thursday, in Kuito (Bié
province), the representative of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), Robert Hellyer.
According to the source, the institute is financing a project called CIDRA,
Consorcium of Development and Aid to Angola, which is benefiting about 150.000
families in the provinces of Benguela, Huambo, Bié, Huíla and Kwanza-Sul.
In the ambit of this project, started last March and running for 18 months, it
was acquired 600 tones of different products, like maize, beans, mealie meal,
cooking oil and working instruments.
USAID is also financing seed multiplying projects, sustenance farming and
rehabilitation of roads.
During his few-hour visit to central Bié province, Robert Hellyer was
accompanied by the representative of CARE International in Angola, Rob
Sehanell, and of Chevron Texaco, main financiers of these projects, and also
met with the provincial governor, José Amaro Tati.
Managing Commission Promises
Severe Actions To Improve Situation
Luanda, 01/20 - The
Co-ordinator of Luanda Managing Commission, Higino Carneiro, has
promised severe measures to change the current "dramatic scenario" and
improve the quality of life in the capital city.
Higino Carneiro was speaking in the ceremony of presentation of the
newly appointed Managing Commission for Luanda, also integrated by
António Van-Dúnem and Job Capapinha.
"In accomplishing our duties, we will take severe measures to change the
dramatic scenario Luanda and its inhabitants are living in, although in
a balanced and prudent way, with a view to primarily defend and improve
the quality of life of its inhabitants and visitors", he underlined.
He appealed for comprehension, collaboration and respect for the
positions which will eventualy be adopted, for they aim the well-being
of everybody, adding that the Commission`s performance requires a
thorough study and the fulfilment of dynamic actions, in order to
respect deadlines and achieve the predicted results.
Higino Carneiro also said to be fully conscious of the assigned mission,
having requested the collaboration of responsibles and workers of the
provincial Government, "so that together we can overcome the challenges".
Mr Carneiro, asked the Minister of Territory Administration, Faustino
Muteka, who presided the ceremony of introduction of the new dignataries,
to intercede with the central Government to ensure that it provides all
the necessary support, in order to make Luanda dignified and, in reality,
the country`s proud.
He announced the holding of meetings with all responsibles, to make
themselves acquainted with the level of organisation of organs and
services, as well visits to different municipal administrations, and to
understand how they operate and relate each other with the provincial
structures.
Relations With Canada To Be
Reinforced
Luanda, 01/20 - The Foreign Affairs Ministries of Angola and Canada will
create, in the next two months, working groups to establish an agenda of
negotiations, aiming at strengthening bilateral relations in various
domains.
The information was given today, in Luanda, by the Angolan deputy
Foreign minister, Jorge Chicoty, at the end of a meeting he had with a
Canadian delegation, that is in the country since last Sunday.
"There is a great interest between the two countries and, in this way,
we have concluded to create working groups to establish a general
cooperation agreement in the areas of commerce, promotion, investiments,
among others", Jorge Chicoty said.
According to the Foreign minister, the Angolan Government has shown
interest in strengthening relations with Canada, because, this country
belongs to the G8 Group, and has enormous potentialities.
The visit to Angola of the Canadian delegation happens in sequence of a
meeting the Angolan Foreign minister, João Miranda, had with his
Canadian counterpart in 2002, in New York.
In this way, Canada will explore the possibilities of cooperation
between the two countries and, eventually, open a diplomatic
representation in Angola.
On his turn, the head of the Canadian delegation, David Strangway,
considered the relations between the two States as excellent, adding
that his country has played a very significant role in the Angolan peace
process.
David Strangway is son of a former missionary who worked in Angola in
the decade of 1920, until 1967, and was the principal of two
universities in Canada, having also been the astrophysicist of the first
USA mission to the Moon.
South-Korea Willing To
Reinforce Cooperation Relations
Luanda, 01/20 - The Government of South-Korea
reiterated on Tuesday its willingness to reinforce cooperation relations
with Angola, mainly in those areas which contribute more rapidly to the
country`s reconstruction and development.
This disposition was manifested by the non resident South-Korean
ambassador to Angola, Hwa Han, coming out of a farewell meeting he had
with the Angolan prime-minister, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos,
for the end of his diplomatic mission to the country.
According to the diplomat, the economic potentialities of Angola and its
human resources, if conjugated with the South-Korean technology, are
factors that can benefit the reconstruction and development of this
African country.
Companies such as Huyndai, Daewoo and others already implanted in Angola
as well as those that are coming after, will certainly contribute to the
country`s efforts of development, including in decisive areas such as
the crude oil sector, roads and railways infrastructures.
In the farewell meeting the South-Korean diplomat was accompanied by the
resident honorary consul in Luanda, Jaime Freitas.
Hwa Han, who is also resident ambassador to South Africa, represented
his country to Angola in the past two years.
Construction Of Motorways
Priority For Public Works Ministry
Luanda, 01/20 - The construction of motorways in
the routes Viana/Cacuaco and Cacuaco/Ramiros, as well as the launching
of tenders for the construction of Fastlanes in the route Luanda/Viana
and Luanda/Kifangondo, are some of the priority actions included in the
emergency programme of the Public Works Ministry, for the year 2004.
According to the Public Works minister, Higino Carneiro, who gave these
information on Monday, during a Press conference, adding to those
priority actions are tasks such as the building of markets and five
thousand houses in the area where the Public University Campus
construction site is.
According to the minister, the project of houses construction is
intended to help young people with most serious social difficulties to
get a home, which they will pay a rent for.
The minister also informed that other urgent interventions have been
outlined, in various domains, which includes the routes Luanda/Bengo
province, Dondo (Kwanza-Norte province)/ Malanje and Caxito (Bengo)/Uije
province.
He stressed the idea that national building companies should act with
greater capacity and protagonism. He informed that at present the
companies which are better prepared for large scale public works
activities are "Paviterra" and "Mota Company", which can carry out road
works on a length of 150 kilometres to 200 kilometres per year.
Higino Carneiro also informed that the re-construction of the cities and
townships destroyed by the war started last year, with the
implementation of the programme in the central Bie province.
Government`s Economic Team Meets With World Bank Official
Luanda, 01/20 -
After Monday`s meetings with the ministers of Planning, Transports and
Health, the director of the World Bank for Southern Africa, Luis
Kassekene, meets on Tuesday afternoon with the government`s economic
team.
The agenda includes a discussion of the economic performance of Angola
in the year 2003 at the light of the recommendations of monitoring
agreements signed between both sides, which are related to the
financing of social projects.
On last August, the Government approved a credit agreement with the
World Bank aiming at the concession of USD 55 million for the third
phase of the Social Aid Fund (FAS).
These are projects being implemented in the provinces of Luanda and
Bengo, aiming at increasing the access of communities to the main
basic services.
For this purpose, Lui Kassekene travelled Tuesday morning to Bengo
province, where he will get acquainted with the progress on projects.
On Monday, Luis Kassekene discussed with Planning Minister Ana Dias
Lourenço about the level, plan and strategies of implemention of FAS`
projects and other actions on course in the country and being
sponsored by the World Bank.
With the minister of Transports, André Luis Brandão, the discussion
focused on the reconstruction of Railway and road infra-structures,
while with the Health minister, Albertina Hamukuaia, they analysed
issues on the reduction of HIV/AIDS rate.
Capanda Dam Ready To Supply
Electricity To Luanda
Luanda, 01/16 - Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade
Dias dos Santos Thursday said "it is all set for Capanda Hydroelectric
Dam, in Malanje, to start supplying electricity to Luanda province, in
this first phase.
The premier said this after a working visit to the Dam, on completion of
the first experimental tests for the functioning of its first hydraulic
turbine.
According to technicians with GAMEK, (Office for the Exploitation of the
Middle Kwanza) the company that coordinates the project, the tests
occurred in the period between January 05-10 and consisted of
transmission of electrical energy to Luanda, through Cambambe Dam,
located in Kwanza-Norte province.
This turbine, out of four foreseen, has the capacity to generate 130
megawatts but, for operationl reasons and other constraints linked to
the transmission network, is only producing 80 megawatts.
The second turbine is being installed and might start functioning next
April, which will allow to primarily supply electricity to Malanje
province.
Meanwhile, it was not advanced the date for the assembly and the start
of the other two remaining turbines.
In total, the power of the four hydraulic turbines is 520 Mw.
According to the Premier, his visit to the undertaking meant, especially,
to get acquainted with the progress on the works of this experimental
phase, which he considered as positive.
Thus, the indication of a date for the inauguration of the dam of its
turbine depends only on the green light from the authorities in charge.
The Angolan Prime Minister made it clear, however, that the starting of
Capanda would not resolve, at once, the problem of power supply, either
in Luanda or in other provinces, since the improvement of the
transmission and distribution network is yet to be resolved.
In this regard, he added, the Government is doing its best so that, with
the start of the Dam, power supply to Luanda and Malanje provinces
improve with the allocation of financial resources to companies
operating on electricity supply, which carry out the complementary
distribution works.
The GAMEK Director General, José Sonnemberg, also rejoiced with the work
done so far, but appealed for contention over expectations around the
functioning of the Dam, whose works he leads since the very begining.
On his turn, the President of the Administration Board of the National
Electricity Company (ENE), Eduardo Nelumba, said that although being
happy with the benefits envisaged, the problem of transportation of
energy remains.
According to him, the bet also goes through the improvement of
infrastructures that render viable the process of transmission of
electricity generated by the Dam to the centrals of distribution, as
well as the communication systems.
With regard to the Luanda Elecricity Supply Company (EDEL), its
Administration Board President, Rui Gourgel, said Capanda is the first
step for the concretization of "a new era of distribution".
The project of construction of Capanda Hydroelectric Dam on Kwanza River,
150 kms to the southeast of Mlanje city, was formally announced in
September 1982, and in the following was established the GAMEK, a
consotium in charge of its execution.
This consortium is made up by the Angolan State, the Russian company
Technopromoexport and the Brazilian firms Odebrecht and Furnas.
Engineering works started November 1987, but were interrupted from 1992
until 1994, as result of the war, because UNITA had occupied and
destroyed all infrastructures that served as work grounds.
Finally, the works were resumed July 1997 and ended January 2000, with
the assembling of electromechanical equipments. The Dam is 1,400 metres
lenght and 110 metres high and can support a 4.5 Ritcher scale quake,
according to technical sources.
In this visit to Capanda, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the
Ministers of Energy and Waters, Planining and Finances, respectively,
Botelho de Vasconcelos, Ana Dias Lourenço and José Pedro de Morais.
Government ReactsTo Resumption Of Human Rights
Watch Accusations
Luanda, 01/14 - The Government of Angola Tuesday publicly denounced in
Luanda, the resumption, by the non-governmental organisation Human
Rights Watch, of accusations of corruption and mismanagement and of an
alleged Government`s insensibleness toward the social drama affecting
many Angolan families.
According to the Angolan Government, HRW resumed, in a report published
on Tuesday, the groundless accusations previously made by certain
international circles, according to which more than four billion US
dollars from oil revenues have disappeared from State coffers between
1997 and 2002.
The Angolan Government, in a press communique released on Tuesday, tells
the national and the international public opinion that there has never
been time any independent audit accounting have cross-checked these
accusations.
It informs, on the other hand, that the first phase of the diagnosis
study of the oil sector has already been published, and provides an
ample information about the financial flows related to oil and that,
besides this, the fiscal accounts of the Angolan Government are
submitted to the International Monetary Fund`s (IMF) audit.
The Angolan Govenment can not accountable for estimates of its revenues
based on non-credible sources, and reminded that no international
financial entities have to date cross-checked the accusations Angola has
been accused of.
The insufficiencies still registered in its statistical system, which
are already being tackled, or the differences observed in the process of
accounting the revenues of the oil sector, decurrent from the convertion
of the national currency into dollars, in a scenario marked in the past
by widespread instability and volatility of the national currency, can
not serve as a scapegoat for the launching of difamation campaigns
emerging from the purest fantasy and imagination.
It thus calls the attention for the fact that it was not just by chance
the time choosen for one more cruzade, which is damaging for the good
name of Angola and its leaders.
Truely, the document adds, at internal level it is being consolidated
the process of political stabilization, with decisive advances
registered in the peace proces and national reconciliation, and also in
the process of economic stabilization, with favourable results in the
fight against inflation, the increase of international reserves and in
the rehabilitation of economic and social infrastructures.
It refers that, at internal level, it is still fresh the good
performance of Angola in the presidency of the UN Security Council and
in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the role the
country`s has been paying in the resolution of political and military
conflicts in the sub-region of the African continent.
The communique recalls that it were the political and economic
improvements attained in 2003 that led to the admittance of Angola into
the African Growth And Opportunity Act (AGOA), an instrument with which
the US authorities incentivate good governance in Africa and promote the
reinforcement of cooperation between the United States and Africa.
Finally, the note says that the Government of Angola is still determined
to push ahead its program of political and economic reforms and
reaffirms its commitment to stricly implementing the principles of unity
and universality of its revenues and expenditures and commit itself to a
major rigour and transparence in the management of public property.
Trade Fund Would Help Rehabilitation, Building Of Infrastructures
Luanda, 01/14 - The creation
of a trade development fund would enable the implementation of the
rehabilitation, construction and modernization programmes of
infrastructures for the commercial activity and services rendered in
Angola.
Speaking to ANGOP on Tuesday, in Luanda, the national director for
Internal Trade, Mr Gomes Cardoso, referred that the setting up of a
trade fund or other financial means to aid the commercial sector would
enable the implementation of a national integrated programme on the
training and technic-professional and scientific up-grading of the staff
with the sector, as well as the traders and professional associations.
It would also enable the application of a stabilization programme of
supply and demand of goods and essential services to the vulnerable
population, as well as the development of the rural commerce in all
aspects.
The promotion of the reduction or substitution of imports, foment and
diversification of exports and the development of the small-sized
agricultural and industrial activity are, among other, the benefits that
the fund once created might provide.
Previously, there was in Angola a commercialisation fund, established on
March 15, 1971, which relied on the then Management of Commerce and
Supply.
President And UNESCO Director Discuss Bilateral
Relations
Luanda, 01/14 - The relationship between the Angolan
Government and UN Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO) were
addressed Wednesdy in Luanda by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and the
Director of that institution, Koichiro Matsuura.
After the audience, Mr Matsuura told journalists that he had discussed with
the President how to reinforce UNESCO presence in Angola and improve its
activities here, chiefly those related to educational and cultural projects.
Koichiro Matsuura stressed that he had come to Angola at "a very important
time after this country stopped a war that lasted so many years", adding
that the world community must increase its cooperation with the Angolan
authorities.
To that Japanese national, UNESCO will do its utmost "within its areas of
jurisdiction" to increase the support to Angola.
He informed newsmen that he will sign an accord for the training of primary
school teachers, a project worth around USD 250,000.
Since Tuesday in Luanda, Mr Matsuura`s visit is mainly aimed at boosting
cooperation with Angola and with the various entities linked to the world of
science and culture.
Koichiro Matsuura is being accompanied, in his first visit to the country,
by the Director General of that organisation for Africa and the Directors of
UNESCO Bureaus in Dakar and Windhoek.
He is the Director of that UN institution since November 1999.
Appointment of Pierre Falcone Will Not Affect
Relations With UNESCO
Luanda, 01/14 - The visiting director of UNESCO,
Koichiro Matsuura, assured today, in Luanda, that the Pierre Falcone case
will not affect the relations between Angola and this UN organism.
Koichiro Matsura was speaking to journalists after an audience with the
Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos.
Regarding the polemical case he informed that "The president explained to me
why and how he acted, and i also mentioned how UNESCO dealt with this
situation".
"I would not like to give more details about the conversation (with the
president), which was private", he said, adding that "Angola needs this
cooperation with UNESCO".
On his opinion the Pierre Falcone case "Is a matter that has to be put aside",
and it will not affect the future relation between Angola and UNESCO.
Pierre Falcone was appointed, on September 2003, by the Angolan authorities
as Counsellor Minister of the country`s representation to UNESCO, which
raised a lot of controversy.
The Angolan Government has issued a statement explaining that, by appointing
Pierre Falcone as its diplomatic agent, the Government did not intend to
obstruct the French Justice, but simply, on one hand, make use of the
century-old principle of presumption of innocence of someone who was not
even deeply interrogated yet about the accusations he is facing, and on the
other hand, to cause him to re-acquire the personal and functional
immunities (...).
Luanda, 01/13- Representatives of the Angolan Ministry
of Urbanisation and Environment and of petroleum firm "Fina" will meet
Tuesday in Luanda to seek ways to avoid practices that damage the
environment and the population`s health.
The information was supplied today to Angop by the national director for
environment, Carlos Santos, following a gas leak on Tuesday at about 08:30
pm, during the final stage of the cleaning of the N`Zombo 41 well, operated
by "Fina Petróleo de Angola", at Kitona village, district of Soyo, northern
Zaire province.
The gas identified as sulphur of hydrogen (H2S), was pushed into the
mentioned locality by the wind, causing the admission in hospital of 15
people for observation.
The substance is known as being very heavy who inhalation causes dizziness,
headache, vomits and fainting.
According to the Ministry official, the representatives of the above
mentioned oil firm will be assigned the responsibility to organsise
awareness and sensitising campaigns on the forms of prevention in similar
situations.
Carlos Santos announced that a team from the ministry will travel to Soyo
soon, to find out the seriousness of the situation.
"In case the extension of the matter proves to be more serious we could file
a legal action against "Fina Petróleo", alike what happened to
Chevron-Texaco in 2001," he stated.
Meanwhile, in a press release, "Fina" deplores the inconvenience caused to
nearby population, stating that all will be done to avoid similar accidents
in future.
Angola: Head of State Calls for Combined
Effort Toward International Aid
Luanda, Jan 9 - Angolan head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, today in
Luanda, appealed for the combination of effort towards the materialisation of
the promised aid to the reconstruction of Angola.
José Eduardo dos Santos made the appeal while receiving end-of-year
compliments from the diplomatic corps accredited to Angola, at a ceremony held
at the "Cidade Alta" Presidential Palace.
The president recalled on the occasion that without that assistance Angola`s
process of recovery from four decades of war that severely hit the country`s
human and social fabric and damaged all its essential infrastructures will be
slower.
President Dos Santos underlined that the costs that the Government of Angola
has to pay to overcome the difficulties, resettle the displaced populations
and reintegrate the demobilised soldiers into the society, are by far beyond
the resources currently available, despite the punctual and regular assistance
from several countries.
Currency Stability Depends On
Concertation Of Monetary, Fiscal policies
Luanda, 01/09 - The head of the Angolan National Reserve Bank`s Issue and Credit
Department, Mr Leao Peres, considered on Thursday, in Luanda, that the stability
of the national currency (Kwanza) goes through the adjustment of monetary and
fiscal policies.
Mr Leao Peres, who was speaking to Angop, on the occasion of the Kwanza`s 28th
anniversary (January the 8th, 1977) that marked the replacement of the
Portuguese currency (Escudo), that was used in the country until before the
national independence, in 1975.
The banking official defended that the local currency might be settled to the
real needs of the economy, and through coordination between fiscal and monetary
policies, two important aspects to guarantee the stability of the currency.
"This date that we are all commemorating means a conquest of economic
independence by putting an end to the last colonial trace which was established
in Angola", he outlined.
He also said that this move should have allowed the improvement of conditions
for the country`s economic relaunch, but was not possible due to various crisis
which Angola faced, such as the armed conflict which had a negative impact on
the economy.
"The currency, regarded as one of the stimulating elements of the economic
activity has suffered its consequence, thus its acquisitive power has known
deflection during the years", he justified.
To solve this situation, he said, various reform processes and monetary
readjustment were carried out in 1990, with the introduction of the New Kwanza,
Another readjustment occurred in 1995, with the introduction of the Readjusted
Kwanza, and in 1999 it regained its first designation (Kwanza), the current
currency.
That manager believes that the steps that are being taken by the government are
vested with sustainability and this will pave the way to national currency`s
stability.
In the future, he added, there is hope that the Kwanza will resume its role as
intermediate currency of a tool of exchange, carrying out the function of a
purchasing mean.
President Dos Santos' New Year's Address to the Nation
President of the National Assembly, ladies and gentlemen,
fellow countrymen: The year 2003, that now nears an end,
consolidated for us all the certainty that the peace, conquered at great cost
for all Angolans, is firmly in place in our country.
Having experienced the horrors of a recent war,
Angolans today treasure peace as one of their most valuable assets. They are
aware that peace is a basic condition for building a country that is able to
dignify its citizens.
The lessons we learned from the last two years
is that it is incomparably better to live in peace and be able to freely discuss
the problems affecting us, than it is to permanently live under unsafe
conditions, of destruction and mourning, in which families spend days crying for
their children, the victims of a battle between brothers.
But consolidating peace, with a view to making
it an irreversible process, requires social justice and respect for human rights.
We believe we are building solid peace based on tolerance, fraternity and
solidarity, capable of putting a final end to hatred and revenge. Now is the
time to stop resentment and to embrace the reconciliation that Angolans decided
on in April 2001 when the country's civil war ended . Our difficulties, which
are vast, should not discourage us.
What we have achieved thus far allows us to
look to the future without fear. We are optimistic because we believe in our
abilities and our potential, because we know that Angolans are a determined
nation, always capable of achieving the objectives we set. This has been the
case in the past and it will continue in the future.
Our optimism rests on employment. This
optimism exists because of the success we could achieve, affirmed by our daily
fight for survival and our country's reconstruction.
Action should be more important than words.
Gradually the country has returned to normal, but there is still much to be done
so that its appearance, tainted by poverty, malnutrition, hunger and
insufficient basic social services, can be radically altered and the ordinary
citizen can feel that he or she belongs to prosperous country on its way to
development. It must become known that resolving the country's basic problems is
not just the work of the government but of all its citizens and of all society.
Our economy performed positively in 2003,
bearing in mind that in less than two years since the peace treaty was signed we
have made great progress towards stabilizing the economy, with a significant
reduction in the inflation rate, the rate of foreign exchange is stable and the
country's foreign reserves are under control. Inflation was until recently one
of the government's major concerns, seen as a headache to the ordinary citizen,
as it corroded the national currency's buying strength and was one of the main
factors contributing to the people's poverty and the state's fragile economy.
The government now plans to attain greater
price stability as well as greater tax austerity, with a view to consolidating
economic stability; undertaking a more efficient fight against poverty and
building the confidence to allow investment flux to spread to the productive
sector in order to increase employment and personal and family revenue. In this
manner, attention will be on regaining the productive sector in order to grow
and comply with the diversified manner of internal expenditure. Economic
perspectives for 2004 are good. Controlling inflation continues to be a priority
for the government and currency will no longer be issued to finance tax
deficits.
Bearing in mind the fact that the driving
force to national development was and always will be the Angolans and it is them
whom we need to care for, in terms of their health, education, culture and
professional training. We also need to adopt a fair salary policy and promote
assistance and social protection in the context of the government's social
agenda. In this instance, it is urgent to draw up a law about youths' first
employment and define a clearer policy for the youth and children, as well as
gender equality.
Justice also deserves our continued attention,
dignifying its institutions and duties and improving methods of investigation,
conditions of the detained and taking care that reform centres do not exceed
what is stated in the law. All this requires a new attitude possible through
talks and awareness campaigns. We need to promote a changed attitude concerning
work, savings, public or private property, social relations, morals and
patriotism, in order to consistently change the current situation in the country.
In fact we need to reconstruct the country.
And we will not do so without unity, participation and the contribution of all
sectors of our society. When I speak of unity and solidarity, I am not referring
to complete agreement but freedom of expression, the freedom to discuss ideas
and opinions, in favour of the greater aim which is to improve the Angolan
nation and the people's well being.
The church and civil society have an important
role to play in noble and uplifting projects because they represent the beliefs
and opinions of the important sectors of the population in an organized manner.
To consolidate this process, the government
will be increasingly more committed to overcoming all obstacles that make the
circulation of goods and people unsafe and the installation of state
administrative authorities throughout the country. It will especially pay more
attention to the demining process because land mines planted in agricultural
fields continue to condition the resettlement of displaced people and the social
and productive reintegration of former soldiers.
Another sector of concern and interest to all
is the issue of elections. During 2004 the government should develop actions to
create the administrative, technical and material conditions for the next
general elections, to be held at the right time, in an orderly and correct
manner so as to make the will of the people's sovereignty be worthwhile.
In this respect I am requesting that the
constitution and electoral law be approved by the end of next year to allow
voter registration to take place so that I can call general elections.
Fellow countrymen:
May the spirit of collaboration, degree of
understanding and tolerance increase in our country, our institutions, our
gatherings and discussions in 2004.
We have immense challenges ahead of us. The
financial resources we have are insufficient for what we hope to achieve. But
the people's abilities are huge and their creative spirit is very big. We have
strong arms and mighty minds. We have the youth and the experience to face the
great task ahead. Together we can make Angola a prosperous country, with good
opportunities for the sons and daughters, especially the new generations of this
land.
To all dispersed Angolans, who feel their
absence from their motherland more acutely at this stage of the year, I send you
this message of solidarity and hope, so that you may affirm Angola's good name
in the countries where you reside and keep our culture alive in the best way
possible. To all those who are away from their homes or separated from their
families during this festive season due to work or life's uncertainties, I
extend my sincere wishes of health and personal happiness.
These wishes are extended to all those present
here who chose to spend some time with us, to mark the beginning of the new year
which I hope will be the bearer of greater fortune at a personal and
professional level.
I end off by thanking the president of the
National Assembly for his kind words steeped in this climate of optimism and
hope which we have experienced since weapons were silenced and we found each
other as relatives of the same nation.
May this festive season renew our hopes and
our disposition. I wish all Angolan families and citizens a year of peace,
health, employment and prosperity.
