kwanza in feb..., page-44

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL0802522020080208



LISBON, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Angola's upcoming elections do not pose a risk to its economic and political stability and double-digit economic growth should continue, deputy prime minister Aguinaldo Jaime told a conference in Lisbon on Friday.

Angola is expected to hold a long-delayed parliamentary election on Sept. 5-6 and presidential elections in 2009.

Sub-Saharan Africa's second largest oil producer has not held a national election since a disastrous 1992 presidential race was aborted after the first round, leading to the resumption of a 27-year civil war.

"Is there a risk of returning to the past now that Angola is entering the second electoral process in its history?" Jaime asked Portuguese investors at the conference.

"I don't think so. Angola is living through a period of political and economic stability and that stability is a precious good for Angolans."

Jaime said Angola's economy, which depends mainly on oil exports, remained robust and should continue to register double-digit growth in coming years.

"The official growth estimate is 24 percent in 2008. I don't know if it will take place ... but I would like to underline that Angola's economy will continue to grow in a very robust fashion with double digit growth." Continued...