How do you feel after one year in office? What have been the challenges and the results?

The main challenge is to stimulate rapid growth. Between 2009 and 2015 Cape Verde grew at a rate of 1%, insufficient to fix problems like unemployment and poverty. When we came to office we set the ambitious goal of a yearly growth of 7% and in just a few years we have achieved growth between 4% and 5%.

We want Cape Verde to grow inclusively. Tourism is growing at a steady pace, representing about 25% of economic growth, and we aim to reach 1 million tourists by 2019. For this, we are implementing measures that allow visitors from the EU and UK to enter the country without a visa as well as investing in air transportation.

We are in the process of privatising our national airlines, and aim to transform the island of Sal into a hub between Europe and the Americas. Maritime activities are also a big priority, such as fishing, naval shipyards for repairs, transport and water sports. We have a very large exclusive maritime zone, as big as France’s, and we intend to use it to boost our economy.

Are there any specific opportunities in the transport, services and tourism sectors?

Tourism is the fastest-growing sector in Cape Verde. We are setting up incentives for investors, namely a “green card” that will allow foreigners who invest a certain amount to acquire a second home in Cape Verde with attendant fiscal advantages. All areas related to tourism are open to investors.

As for the maritime economy, we have a partnership with Chinese entities that will help transform the island of São Vicente into a modern maritime hub, in accordance to our Blue Economy policy, which aims to bring growth based on maritime activities.

Talking about diversification, how do you see the development of the Blue Economy as well as the Digital Economy?

The Digital Economy is strategic for Cape Verde. We are reforming our school system to that our students can learn languages form an early age, namely English and French, and we will also provide them with access to the advanced technologies that will help kickstart our digital economy.

We plan to build two technological centres, one in Praia and the other in São Vicente, in order to create the ideal conditions for Cape Verde to be an important digital platform that will attract highly rated companies and professionals. In Cape Verde we can provide the same top quality service that other countries provide, but at a lower cost.

What kind of partners, business and residents, are you looking for in Cape Verde?

We have strong partnerships with the EU and the USA. There are almost as many Cape Verdeans living in the USA as in Cape Verde. Also, we are prepared to receive investors and residents from anywhere in the world. We are a safe country where people can come to live, for business and for pleasure. Regardless of your activities Cape Verde is an utopia.

You have been over one year in office and you’ve been very busy, traveling to the UN, sending delegations to the EU headquarters, next year you will be president of the CPLP. What is the message your government carries when visiting other countries?

There is an important point to be made here, that was discussed in my visit to the UN, regarding the vulnerability of small insular states like ours, on an economic and environmental level.

Cape Verde is an example of democracy, stability and good international relationships. We have a desire to contribute on an international level, namely in the region’s security, as we control a very large maritime area that is attractive for contraband. Our geographical position allows us to be a key partner of the EU and the USA in order to maintain security in the region.

Can you please tell us three key values that represent Cape Verde?

Stability, safety and integration of foreigners. Cape Verde will guarantee these three important aspects.