Luanda – Angola annually needs 60 tonnes of fertilizers to develop agricultural activity, said last Monday, the minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, António Francisco de Assis.

The official revealed this data during a working meeting with deputies to the National Assembly of the 5^th and 6^th commissions, having stressed that this product would have to be made available between July and September of each year, depending on the rainy season.

António Francisco de Assis said that the department he runs has made an effort to attract private investment in this sector, so that the country can have its own industry to produce fertilizers.

The minister stressed that the government lowered the value added tax levied on fertilizers and pesticides from 14% to 5% as a way to boost agricultural activity in the country.

According to the source, Angolan agricultural producers need financial incentives and a regulatory framework that guides the activity, under the risk of being always surpassed by external competition.

António Francisco de Assis said that he hoped the basic food basket would consist only of national products.

The 5^th Committee of the National Assembly deals with issues of Economy and Finance, while the 6^th deals with Health, Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Luanda – Three hundred and fifty million US dollars will be sold in July, through auctions, by the National Reserve Bank of Angola (BNA).

Like other sessions, the BNA will disclose the amount made available, the number of participants, the maximum and minimum exchange rates admitted, as well as the average exchange rate resulting from the session.

According to the monthly calendar of currency auctions to which ANGOP had access last Monday, in May and June the cumulative sale value was the equivalent to US $700 million.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Lubango – At least 30 billion kwanzas was earmarked for the implementation of 665 projects of the Integrated Municipal Intervention Plan (PIIM).

The information was released by minister of State for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Júnior on Saturday in Lubango, southern Huila province.

Speaking at press conference, Manuel Nunes put at 1,700 the number of the projects to be completed until 2022, worth USD 2 billion from the Sovereign Fund.

Angola has been experiencing a period of economic downturn since 2016, a situation  worsened by covid-19 pandemic, said Manuel Júnior, who is also Coordinator for Inter-ministerial Commission for the Implementation of PIIM, launched on 27 June 2019.

According to him, this factor makes the country moving backwards  instead of progressing, thus causing undesirable social situations, such  as unemployment.

With the implementation of PIIM, the first of its kind in Angola and in view of its size, the official said to hope quality results and benefits the people.

Manuel Nunes was accompanied by the Minister of Territory Administration Marcy Lopes, the Secretary of State for Finance Aia Eza da Silva, Secretary of State for Territory Administration Laurinda Cardoso and governors from the country’s 18 provinces.

The minister inaugurated on Sunday the Humpata municipality Hospital, located 22 kilometers west from Lubango, the capital of Huila province.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Luanda – The Office of the First Lady of Angola mobilized, last Friday, partners to support children hospitalized in the Paediatric unit of the General Hospital of Luanda.

According to a note sent to ANGOP, partnerships with EMAXICOM, S.I.C.I.E. were formalized through the “Roda do Amor – Sharing Solidarity” platform. –Society and Commercial Import and Export and NUVIBRANDS, while NESTLÉ ANGOLA joined efforts with a donation of its brand products.

According to the note, this is an initiative mainly focusing on children in early childhood, which aims to be an instrument for learning and promoting social values and principles.

“In association with the efforts of the Government and other partners, in this month of the child and at a time when, globally, we are all experiencing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Roda do Amor pays its solidarity and support to children in greater situation of vulnerability “, states the press release.

This support is provided, in particular, to hospitalized children, deprived of good health, socialization, a normal and healthy life”, stresses the note.

According to the document, among the donations, which will be delivered to beneficiaries on Saturday, are 72 boxes of porridge, boxes of milk in single-dose sachets, 1,120 diaper packs, 2,880 oral hygiene kits and 280 diaper boxes.

The donation package also includes 25 boxes of wipes and 80 boxes of various personal care products, such as soaps, shower gel, oils and creams.

Source: Angola Press News Agency