9 January 2008
Luanda — The Angolan minister of Finance, José Pedro de Morais, was elected Africa's best finance minister in 2007 by The Banker, an international observing group.
In its assessment, the international organisation, focused on transparency and governments' programmes follow-up process, having the Angolan official been chosen from among the best five ministers in the world.
The observing group took into account issues such as the fight against corruption, tax evasion and application of market economy principles.
Jose Pedro de Morais was appointed minister of Finance on 9th December, 2002, by Angolan president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, and is seen by that international institution as being the top figure in the process of revitalisation of the Southern African nation's economy, that started four years ago.
Edward George, analyst of The Economist magazine, is quoted by The Banker as saying that José Pedro de Morais firmly defends a better relation with institutions like the Extractive Industry Transparency.
The Angolan Cabinet minister also earns credit for the tidying up of the country's statistics and drastic reduction of inflation, currently set at around 11 percent.
The economic growth that Angola has been enjoying for the last four years is a result of the recommendation made by José Pedro de Morais, who advised the African country's Government to halt consultations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the monitored programme.
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