Cape Verde signs various protocols in Côte d’Ivoire

Prime Minister José Maria Neves concluded a two-day work visit to Côte d’Ivoire this Tuesday, having participated in the 44th ordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States.  The trip also served as an opportunity to revamp relations of cooperation and friendship with the fellow ECOWAS country.  During his stay in Abidjan, José Maria Neves signed four cooperation accords in the areas o fair and sea transportation, reciprocal investment promotion and protection and bilateral consultation mechanisms.

While in the Ivoirian capital, Neves held meetings with President Alassane Ouattara, parliamentary speaker Soro Kigbafori and Prime Minister Daniel Cablan Duncan.  According to his press office, the Prime Minister received “very positive signals” from Ivoirian authorities in terms of the mutual desire for more advantageous relations between the two countries.  Indeed, Côte d’Ivoire committed itself to support Cape Verde so that its specificities and interests as a small island state will be duly taken into account.

Neves also visited various points of interest for Cape Verde, such as the Abidjan sea port, one of the largest in Africa and an international reference, a fish conserve company and Nestlé.  The institutions in question expressed willingness to cooperate with Cape Verde, placing their experience and know how at the country’s service.

On the economic and entrepreneurial level, Neves met with representatives of the private sector in Côte d’Ivoire, presenting Cape Verde as an optimum destination for investments and tourism. In a 15-minute speech that had as its backdrop the country’s business and trade relation diversification strategy, the Prime Minister sought to convince entrepreneurs of the opportunities and advantages of investing in the country.

Entrepreneurs from Côte d’Ivoire, one of Africa’s richest countries, expressed interest in doing business with Cape Verde, and were eager to know more about benefits and the various sectors in which investments could be made, namely fishing, transportation, tourism and new technologies, among others.

José Maria Neves also met with the approximately 400 Cape Verdeans residing in Côte d’Ivoire, and promised to support the community in its intention to set up a Cape Verdean cultural center and hold a Cape Verdean culture week in Abidjan.  José Maria Neves was in Côte d’Ivoire to participate in the 44th ordinary session of the ECOWAS, which took place in Ivoirian capital Yamoussoukro on March 28 and 29. This Wednesday, April 2, Neves will begin a visit to Italy, and on Thursday will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Copyright Asemana 2014