João Lourenço, who was speaking this Thursday in the city of Lubango, capital of Huíla province, where he opened the Angolan Municipalities and Cities Fair (FMCA), referred that the food crisis is global and Angola is no exception.
"The moment is to roll up our sleeves and work harder, especially in the countryside, with a view to achieving food self-sufficiency, increasing and diversifying the range of export products", he said.
According to João Lourenço, it is necessary to take "the best possible advantage" of the abundance and quality of arable soils, the good climate, the immeasurable water resources that Angola has and its young human resources, to transform this potential wealth into real wealth.
"The crisis is global and affects everyone, Angola is no exception, however, this is not the time for lamentations and even less for pointing the finger at anyone", he said.
The head of state stressed that the time has come to distribute the land that has been in the hands of citizens for decades without giving any use, "to those who are willing to work them, to young people who are idle in the big cities and want to experience another reality, that will give more dignity to their lives".
"For our part, we reiterate our commitment to continue developing strategies to create a good business environment, diversify the economy, increase national production, increase exports, reduce imports and increase the offer of opportunities and jobs", he underlined.
To the banking sector, the President reiterated the appeal to place "the urgent need to finance the real economy at the center of their priorities, without the need for a notice from the regulator, because without the impetus of the banking sector, the economy does not grow".
The President also highlighted the crucial role of the State's local administration bodies in the harmonious development of the national territory and in the reduction of existing asymmetries.
"It is in these territorial spaces that we must promote the creation of a network of small and medium-sized companies that together form an integrated platform for the exchange of goods and services on a national and continental scale", noted João Lourenço, appealing to provincial governments and local administrations so that they can boost development according to the local reality, as well as boost the competitiveness factors in their territory, promote small and medium-sized companies, making their municipalities attractive for private investment.
