Luanda — The chief of staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), general Francisco Pereira Furtado, on Tuesday here stressed the importance of militaries' access to bank loans, in the framework of the improvement of their social conditions.

The chief of staff was speaking to ANGOP after signing a protocol between the armed forces and the Foment Bank of Angola (BFA), aimed at easing the access to credit by 60,000 officers, sergeants and civil workers of the army.

General Francisco Furtado also expressed his satisfaction at the signing of the agreement, following a long period of negotiations with the banking institution.

BFA's credit products, according to the army chief, will enable the full implementation of programmes outlined by FAA, in order to solve housing problems and the improvement of the living conditions of officers and sergeants of the national army.

Witnessed by generals and senior officers of FAA and BFA workers, the accord was signed by the chief of staff of the Angolan Armed Forces, general Francisco Pereira Furtado, and the chairman of the executive commission of this bank, Emídio Pinheiro.

In this framework, BFA will guarantee the access, in preferential conditions of price, to a series of products and services it grants, namely credit to consumption, housing, personal and credit cards.

Valid for five years, the protocol shall be implemented by phases and enters into force as from November 15, 2008.