Luanda – Angola has said it intends to improve statistical data collection of the country’s agricultural production with the help of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Secretary of State for Economy Ivan dos Santos said Tuesday in Luanda.
Speaking at the usual briefing of the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP), the official spoke of the need the country has to improve production of statistical data to attract foreign investors.
Ivan dos Santos said the issue of agricultural statistics was previously discussed at Investment Forum 2023 held in October, in Rome.
"The meeting with the FAO statistics centre is of great importance, since we also have the objective of boosting our agricultural statistics, taking into account that it is through them that we will be able to map our national production capacity for agribusiness, as well as calibrate and bring more refined and coherent agricultural statistical data," the official said.
According to the Secretary of State, the move would enable the country to publish statistical data on other platforms, such as the FAO platform, and attract more direct foreign investment.
The official said the Angolan delegation to the forum, presented the current macroeconomic indicators and the main programmes designed to achieve self-sufficiency and food security and a detailed map of the country’s agribusiness potential along with the measures approved to boost the economy, such as the exemption of tourist visas to boost the economy.
Ivan dos Santos added that the FAO's investment centre also discussed the country’s Rural Investe Programme, whose aim is to improve investment techniques and train those seeking to invest or to finance.
The representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Angola, Pietro Toigo, on his turn, explained that the agricultural reform and transformation to be implemented in the country is a very complex process that will require a high level of institutional coordination.
Pietro Toigo added that despite the progress made in the agricultural sector, Angola must make an effort to be on the global investment map as an agricultural country.
The Investment Forum 2023 took place from October 17-20 in Rome, Italy, with participation of 31 selected countries and agribusiness investors.
Angola's inclusion on the list of participants was approved thanks to the work the country has been doing in the quest for sustainable food security.
At the center of the collaboration is the Hand in Hand initiative, which embodies the idea of everyone working hand in hand, emphasising the importance of cooperation between governments, organisations and local communities. HEM/AC/AMP
