Re-export of food products that Angola imports for domestic consumption will be banned under a joint decree of the Ministries of Trade and Finance currently being drafted, announced the Angolan Minister of Trade.

The issue, which was examined Thursday by the economic team of the Angolan government, is a reaction to the massive re-export of the basic basket of products, which has been recorded in recent months, mainly to neighboring countries.

Minister Rosa Pacavira said at the end of the joint meeting of the Economic Commission and the Commission for the Real Economy of the Council of Ministers that amongst the products with highest re-export rates are rice, sugar, beans, corn flour, soap and cooking oil.

The Trade Minister said that the decree to be approved would not include Angolans living in border regions, who cross the border daily to sell products for their livelihoods, according to Angolan news agency Angop.

Pacavira said licensing for export of foodstuffs of national origin must be endorsed by the ministerial department that oversees the product to be exported, “which means that if somebody wants to export cassava they have to request prior authorisation from the Ministry of Agriculture.” (macauhub/AO)