Angola plans to stop importing agricultural products in the short to medium term, considering investments being made by private companies, the Angolan Minister of Trade said on Tuesday in the municipality of Chinguar, Bié province.

Joffre Van-dúnem Junior, speaking after a visit to the Vinevala farm, said private sector investment would allow the country to stop importing maize, beans, potatoes, rice and wheat, among other agricultural products.

The minister also requested “a serious commitment to the cultivation of more agricultural products,” and recalled that the government is channeling resources for the recovery of the road network to make the transport of agricultural products to the main consumer centres.

Cited by Angolan news agency Angop, Van-dúnem Júnior announced the reopening, within 60 days, of “Poupa Lá” network stores, assigned to the Ministry of Trade, built between 2013 and 2017 and closed due to the economic situation in Angola.

The Poupa Lá store network was part of the Restructuring Programme for the Logistics and Distribution of Basic Products to the Population (Presild), created by presidential order on 31 October, 2007, which also included the Nosso Super supermarket chain. (macauhub)