Africa-Press – Cape verde. The president of the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce (CCS) said on Friday that his new term will focus on strengthening the national business fabric, considering it “still fragile” to autonomously sustain the country’s development.
Marcos Rodrigues made these remarks on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new governing bodies of the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce, which took place in the institution’s conference room in Praia.
The president, re-elected for the second time to lead the CCS, stated that the new term will be marked by a broad and ambitious agenda, continuing the work begun in the first cycle, which aimed to consolidate the institution’s position and reinforce the credibility of the private business sector in Cape Verde.
He highlighted that the first term allowed for strengthening the central mission of this institution, focusing on wealth creation, negotiating with national authorities, unions, and the government, and maintaining a high level of accountability for all market players, from financial institutions to other economic entities.
For the coming years, he said that one of the priorities is to work on strengthening the national business fabric, stressing that, although Cape Verde needs and welcomes foreign investment, it is fundamental to ensure that national entrepreneurs occupy “firm and consistent positions” in the market.
Marcos Rodrigues recalled that countries that depend excessively on foreign investors become vulnerable in times of crisis, when foreign capital leaves the country, leaving the economy exposed.
Therefore, he advocates actions that guarantee “greater access to financing” for Cape Verdean companies, the revision of some points of labor legislation, and a more solid social dialogue with unions, so that everyone can compromise and move forward together on necessary reforms, including improving wages.
He recalled that the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce has been an active advocate for wage increases, having previously proposed raising the minimum wage from 13,000 to 17,000 escudos and, more recently, presented a proposal to raise it to 25,000 escudos.
Marcos Rodrigues considered that the measure has been well received by the government and unions, insisting that national entrepreneurs need “more guarantees” that strengthen their competitiveness and sustainability in the market.
In turn, the Minister of Business Development, Eurico Monteiro, who presided over the ceremony, highlighted the “decisive role” of the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce in promoting employment and the socio-economic development of Cape Verde.
The minister reiterated that the country’s development depends directly on cooperation between the executive branch and the private sector, stressing that social justice is only viable through solid economic growth that allows the State to effectively redistribute resources.
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