* Following an announcement in December by the president, JoseEduardo dos Santos, Angola's long-delayed legislative election is scheduled to take place on September 5th-6th 2008, to be followed by the presidential election in 2009.
* Given the powers of incumbency, the Economist Intelligence Unit expects the Movimento Popular de Libertacao de Angola (MPLA) to win the legislative poll. We also expect Mr dos Santos to stand in, and win, the presidential poll.
* With oil production set to continue rising against a background of high oil prices, strong economic growth is set to continue over the forecast period, averaging 21.4% in 2008 and 10.4% in 2009.
* Sustained high government spending and buoyant domestic demand are expected to keep inflation high, averaging 12.3% in 2008 and 12.2% 2009.
* The rapid increase in oil exports and high international prices are forecast to keep the current account heavily in surplus, rising to a peak of 45.4% of GDP in 2008, before falling moderately, to 38.3% of GDP, in 2009.
CVI Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
