Luanda - The Angolan Government signed on Friday in Luanda a protocol of understanding with four civil engineering companies,  aiming at boosting the housing programme that foresees the construction of one million houses countrywide until 2012.

   On the occasion, the secretary of State for Urbanism and Housing, Joaquim Silvestre, said the understanding is part of the private-public partnership policy intended for this sector.

   Under the accord, the firms Valentim Amões, Rienk, Lr Group and Consultaria Especializada are authorised to get credits from banking institutions for implementation of actions in this sector.

   The state will make available urbanised land plots, whereas building companies with own funds will build social residences.