Luanda - The leader of Angola’s main opposition party, UNITA, Adalberto Costa Junior, defended Monday the need to increase economic policies to encourage domestic production, promote entrepreneurship and diversify productive sectors.
Speaking at a press conference on the country's current economic and financial situation, Junior said it is time to adopt collaborative strategies involving public and private sectors, civil society and economic experts.
The politician said he believes that only with constructive dialogue and a long-term vision "it will be possible to overcome the crisis and build a prosperous and sustainable Angola".
The UNITA leader spoke of the need to restructure and rebuild the national economy, "putting people at the centre of policies, in order to secure a dignified future for all".
Adalberto Junior added that a reorientation of public spending towards infrastructure, support for food production, mainly agriculture, livestock, food processing industry, education and health would have a positive impact on long-term economic growth.
The politician defended a reduction in public spending to allow tax relief and the creation of a competitive environment in the public procurement market, with the aim to improve transparency, "essential to attract foreign investment and increase domestic demand".
Adalberto Junior recommended an audit of the Public Debt, as well as to the public oil company Sonangol, Savings and Credit Bank (BPC), Espírito Santo Angola (BESA) bank, the Sovereign Fund and the Angolan airlines company TAAG.
The politician added that government leaders have the responsibility to protect the interests of the Angolan people and ensure transparent and accountable management of the country's resources.
The UNITA leader also asked the government for explanations on the destination given to the "6.3 billion dollars surplus", referring to 2021 and 2022.
Last week, the Angolan government announced, among other measures, the reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 14 to 7% on food, starting in January 2024.
The government measure is joined by others related to increasing national production, through financial support for production, tax simplification and improving the business environment.
VAT was implemented for the first time on July 1, 2019, with an initial and single rate of 14 percent, for all imports of goods and large taxpayers with revenues of more than 15 million kwanzas, as well as large public companies and banking financial institutions. DC/AL/VM/Amp/jmc
