Angolan Minister of Economy Manuel Nunes Junior said on Tuesday the development of agriculture is a key priority on the Angolan government's agenda in diversifying the nation's oil- and diamond-based economy.

Declaring the opening ceremony of the 26th Luanda International Fair (FILDA-2009) in the capital Luanda, the minister stressed the need for concrete steps for promoting farm production and making agriculture a basis for the development of Angola's national economy.

Talking about the FILDA-2009's theme of "The Challenges of Agro-Business in Angola", he said, the Angolan government attaches great importance to the diversification of the oil- and diamond-based national economy.

"In the economy diversification process," he said, "the Angolan government considers agriculture as one of the key sectors for development."

According to the official, the Angolan government has amassed huge funds in developing agricultural production that will start to benefit the country and people in the next four years.

"The Angolan government aims to turn the country into a self-sufficient one in terms of agricultural production, particularly in food supply by the year 2013," he said.

The minister also stressed the need for Angolan businessmen to continue with their efforts and advised foreigners to establish partnerships with Angolan entrepreneurs.

As a key foreign trade fair in Angola held every July, the Luanda International Fair which started in the capital of Luanda in 1983 not only attracts domestic and foreign businesspeople to show their products and services but also establishes business contacts between businesspeople of Angola and foreign countries.

Source: Xinhua