Angola's Council of Ministers reviewed two draft laws on Wednesday authorising President João Lourenço to legislate additional fiscal incentives for oil blocks 34 and 35, as the government moves to boost the profitability of hydrocarbon operations in those concession areas.
According to the final communiqué of the 6th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, held under the chairmanship of the Head of State, the proposed legislation is aimed at improving the economic viability of hydrocarbon exploration and production in the two blocks.
The draft laws, together with their respective Presidential Legislative Decrees, will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.
In the same domain, the cabinet also reviewed instruments to grant Sonangol mining rights for the prospecting, research, evaluation, development and production of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons across the concession areas of blocks 34 and 35.
Further measures reviewed included proposals authorising the conclusion of Risk Service Contracts in the same concession areas, as well as an amendment to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for Block 15, covering the setting of the respective production and investment bonuses.
During the session, the cabinet also approved a revision to the rules governing the organisation and functioning of the auxiliary bodies of the President of the Republic.
In the tourism sector, the Council of Ministers approved a new Organic Statute for the Ministry of Tourism, creating the post of Secretary of State for the Management of Tourism Assets and Concessions and establishing a new directorate.
The measure is designed to strengthen oversight of the conversion of Angola's tourism potential into effective assets and concessions, as well as to manage institutional relations with concession holders and investors, in coordination with the Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX) and provincial governments.
The new structure will be responsible for monitoring and supervising concessions located in areas of tourist interest and potential.
In the health sector, the Council of Ministers reviewed a draft Presidential Decree creating the Transplant Coordination and Supervision Service (SECOSTRA) and approving its Organic Statute.
The new body, which will operate as a specialised service, will be mandated to coordinate and supervise the collection, management and distribution of cells, tissues and organs intended for transplantation.
In the area of social action, family affairs and women's promotion, the cabinet reviewed Angola's Second-Generation National Action Plan under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The plan aims to promote the full participation of women and girls in conflict prevention and resolution, increase their representation in decision-making mechanisms, prevent and combat gender-based violence, and strengthen the protection of their rights in contexts of vulnerability.
The government also reviewed a draft Presidential Decree approving the National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity and its implementation plan, designed to guide executive action in promoting equal opportunity, social justice, inclusion and human rights protection.
Among the instruments reviewed was a Presidential Decree dissolving the National Consumer Defence Institute (INADEC), with responsibility for managing, supervising and overseeing the complaints book — both physical and electronic — transferring to the body responsible for economic inspection and food safety.
The Council of Ministers also reviewed the Organic Statute of the National Authority for Economic Inspection and Food Safety (ANIESA), which will become the single entity for the inspection and supervision of economic activities, without prejudice to the powers assigned by law to other regulatory bodies.
As part of the reform, municipal inspection services will no longer exercise powers in the domain of economic activity inspection and food safety.
Their intervention will instead be concentrated on public order matters such as street vending, construction site supervision and vehicle parking on public roads.
The session also reviewed new organic statutes for the General Labour Inspectorate and the National Social Security Institute (INSS), aimed at aligning both institutions with the ongoing state reform process and the overhaul of the economic inspection system.
A draft Presidential Decree approving the Legal Framework for Sports Programme Contracts was also reviewed; it is designed to regulate agreements between the state and sports entities for the pursuit of public interest objectives.
The Legal Framework for Sports Infrastructure was likewise reviewed, establishing norms for the design, construction, management, use and supervision of public sports facilities, including safety, access and operational requirements.
At the same session, the Council of Ministers reviewed the Organic Statute of the Angolan Active Venture Capital Fund (FACRA), with the objective of adapting its operation to current economic realities and stimulating the broader economy.
The cabinet also reviewed an amendment to the Organic Regulations of the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) to remove from that body any powers of inspection or supervision of economic activity, in line with the reform of the economic inspection system.
Another instrument reviewed provides for the conversion of the Angola Customs Warehouse (EAA-E.P.) into a joint-stock company governed by the Commercial Companies Law, with the aim of adopting a management model oriented towards efficiency, profitability and institutional competitiveness.
In the area of international cooperation, the Council of Ministers reviewed a draft Resolution approving, for ratification, the Treaty establishing the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL).
The instrument aims to strengthen the regional capacity to generate and use scientific knowledge in addressing the challenges of climate change.
Also reviewed was a draft Resolution approving Angola's accession to the Agreement Establishing the African Association of Accountants General (AAAG), whose purpose is to promote cooperation among accountants general in member countries, contributing to improved public financial management and governance.
Ordinary sessions of the Council of Ministers take place in the last week of each month, while extraordinary sessions are convened by the President of the Republic as required.
Source: ANGOP / Original article: https://www.angop.ao/noticias/politica/executivo-aprecia-incentivos-fiscais-adicionais-para-blocos-petroliferos-34-e-35/
