Africa-Press – Angola. The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, this Thursday, in Lubango, Huíla province, urged Angolans to roll up their “sleeves” and work harder, especially in the countryside, with a view to achieving food self-sufficiency and diversifying the exports.
João Lourenço, who was speaking at the opening of the 4th edition of the Angolan Municipalities and Cities Fair and 9th of the National Forum of Angolan Municipalities and Cities, made reference to the world food crisis that remains on the agenda of the global agenda.
He underlined the fact that the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has aggravated the global food crisis, as it involves two of the main producers and suppliers of cereals in the world.
According to the Head of State, Angola is not an exception in the face of the world food crisis and this is not the time to complain, much less to point the finger at anyone.
He referred that, in view of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the price of the most consumed foodstuffs, such as cereals and others, has been rising all over the world, with a tendency to get worse.
In this perspective, the President of the Republic stressed that Angola needs to take the greatest possible advantage of the abundance and quality of its arable soils, the good climate, the immeasurable water resources that the country has and the young human resources to transform this potential wealth into real wealth. .
“The crisis is global and affects everyone”, expressed the holder of the Executive Power, stating that this is the moment for the State to recover the lands that have been in the possession of citizens who do not exploit them for decades and distribute them to whoever is willing. to work on them.
In his view, these abandoned lands should be given to young people who are anxious in big cities and want to experience another reality, which will give their lives more dignity.
According to João Lourenço, data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations point to sub-Saharan Africa as the region most affected by the food crisis, where most countries are in this situation.
The Angolan statesman reiterated, on the other hand, the Executive’s commitment to continue developing strategies to create a good business environment, diversify the economy, increase national production, exports and reduce imports.
He also reaffirmed the State’s commitment to increase opportunities and jobs.
The President of the Republic also recommended that the banking sector put the pressing need for financing the real economy at the center of the priorities, without the need for a warning from the regulator, because without the impetus of the banking sector, the economy does not grow.
At the end of his address, João Lourenço congratulated the organization of the Fair, hoping that the edition serves as a true stage where the different economic agents and civil society actors discuss themes that aim to promote the potential and cultural mosaic existing in the country.
“It is our conviction that this platform will be a permanent space for reflection, analysis and exchange of experiences on the challenges of local administration in assessing the development model of our municipalities, which will allow identifying safe and sustainable ways to boost the local economy, with an impact on the life of families and companies”, he underlined.
After the symbolic cutting of the ribbon at the inauguration of the event, the President, accompanied by the First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, and members of the Executive, toured the pavilions where various national products are on display.
Aimed at the socio-economic development of the country and the diversification of the economy, the Feira dos Municípios brings together exhibitions from 164 municipal administrations, 18 provincial governments, ministries and public institutes.
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