Standard Bank explains Angola's economic indicators

 Lisbon - The head of Standard Bank Mozambique Fáusio Mussá acknowledged Tuesday in Lisbon that the investment opportunities in Angola are good, given the current economic environment in the country.

Fáusio Mussá was speaking during a conference organised by Standard Bank for companies and businessmen interested in investing in Angola and Mozambique.

According to the official, the current economic moment in Angola allows for a future political stability, with a focus on reforms that will allow the acceleration of investments, in the oil and non-oil sector, capable of generating more diversification, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The specialist, who several times praised the efforts and performance of the Angolan Government to overcome the obstacles caused by a series of crises, said that “after the elections, the recovery of oil prices and the progress of structural reforms, associated with some fiscal prudence, will allow the stability of the economy”.

According to the source, the current infrastructure deficit is still an obstacle to development and investment, but Angola's bet was “correct”.

“Angola will maintain exchange rate stability, which will allow inflation to fall, keeping it in the two digits. It is also worth noting the bet on increasing food production, contributing to the reduction of exports”, said Fáusio Mussá.

According to the official, the growth of Angola's Gross Domestic Product will grow by 2.2% until 2025.

In turn, the representative of the Angolan Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX), Lello Francisco, considered Angola's fiscal situation to be “very attractive” for attracting foreign investment.

Lella Francisco recalled that in 2020 the country was fourth on the investment perspective list and that, in 2022, it moved to second place, just behind South Africa.

The meeting included, among others, the presence of the Ambassador of Angola to Portugal, Carlos Alberto Fonseca.

CPLP announces plans to create pre-conditions for proper functioning of parliaments

 Luanda - The secretary general of the Angolan Parliament Agostinho de Neri announced Wednesday in Luanda the creation of technical, technological and administrative premises was crucial for legislators to exercise their mission, without constraints.

He said that they have a duty, at the level of parliamentary administrations, to create technical, technological, administrative and protocol premises for the MPs to exercise, without any type of constraint, the exercise that is mandated by the people.

The secretary general also pointed out that the training of staff, among others, should be a current practice at the administration level to better serve parliaments.

In turn, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly, Elvira Van-Dunem, stressed that the topic increasingly reflects a growing concern of all stakeholders in terms of the design, maintenance and sustainable management of buildings.

Elvira Van-Dunem congratulated the Portuguese-speaking parliamentarians on positively distinguishing themselves in this challenge, by bringing together synergies through this multilateral consultation platform for the exchange of experiences and knowledge regarding the management of parliamentary heritage.

According to the MP, the sustainable management of buildings is the achievement of a new awareness in which the concern for the environment prevails, both in the scope of pre-contractual procedures and in the execution of the respective contacts.

She recalled that this was the purpose that guided the creation of activities, whose materialisation was felt at her first meeting in July 2014, in Lisbon, Portugal.

The event, which takes place at the Palace of the National Assembly, gathers representatives of the parliaments of Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, Brazil, as well as the heads of the local offices of the host country.

Three Media outlets fined for flouting regulation

 Luanda – The Portfolio and Ethics Commission (CCE) has recently fined three Media Houses for allowing their journalists exercising the activity without any professional card that enable them to perform the job.

The Media outlets fined are the State-owned National Radio Station (RNA), opposition UNITA-run broadcasting radio “Rádio Despertar” and Novo Jornal.

The said houses have been keeping journalists in the exercise of their profession without being certified and qualified for the purpose. 

The CCE Ethics Council fined the public radio station (RNA) with the amount of Akz 1.6 million, for maintaining four employees in exercise of the profession. 

Also fined were Rádio Despertar and Novo Jornal, with a values of Akz 321,181.15, for keeping one professional each in the same condition, without a license, after the 180-day deadline since the CCE took office. 

In a statement, CCE clarifies that the employer should not keep any journalist who is not duly certified and qualified, in light of the legal provisions. 

Experts recommend blue economy strategy

Luanda - The economic experts recommended Wednesday the creation of a national strategy, in partnership with the UN and the African Union, for the implementation of the cluster of the sea and the blue economy.

The recommendation came from the second conference on the blue economy that took place under the motto “The National Strategy for the Sea”.

According to the Minister of Economy and Planning, Mário Caetano João, the general concept of the blue economy relates to economic activities that take place in the oceans, seas and coastal areas.

Mário Caetano João explained that more than 20 marine economic activities in Angola can be recognised as an integral part of the blue economy (fishing, trade, transport, energy, tourism, coastal protection, maritime surveillance and monitoring).

According to the minister, the blue economy aims to exploit the potential of marine resources, reduce ecological risk as much as possible and increase human prosperity.

Two thirds of the planet earth, he said, are submerged, with the coastline being one of the factors that contribute to the socio-economic development of coastal nations. Currently, the 20 largest economies in the world and the 10 in Africa have access to the sea.

The minister noted that the blue economy has gained momentum among policymakers around the world, as it is a source of wealth.

It is estimated that 2.5 billion dollars are raised each year. For this reason the sea has become the seventh largest economy.

To Mário João, maritime safety is not only unavoidable but, above all, a priority and urgent for the definition of the National Strategy for the Sea and for the development of the Maritime Port Cluster.

"These instruments are essential to guarantee the protection of ecosystems and create or improve market conditions, for the promotion and diversification of the Blue economy, far beyond mere fishing", he stressed.

Angola is in the process of producing a set of regulations in terms of combating pollution such as the National Strategy for the Sea and Marine Space Planning.

Manchester United Complete Lisandro Martinez Signing From Ajax In £57m Deal

 Manchester United have completed the signing of Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez from Ajax in a deal worth up to 67m euros (£57m).

United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to be reunited with the 24-year-old, who he signed for Ajax in 2019.

He joins the club on a five-year contract which keeps him at Old Trafford until 2027, with the option of a further year.

“It’s an honour to join this great football club,” Martinez said.

“I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further.”

Martinez made 120 appearances for Ajax after moving from Argentinian side Defensa y Justicia for £6.3m in 2019, and also played for Newell’s Old Boys.

He has won seven caps for Argentina since making his senior debut in March 2019, and played once in the country’s successful Copa America campaign in 2021.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that’s what I want to continue at Manchester United,” he said.

“There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new team-mates, we can do it.”

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