Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Government approved, two weeks ago, a decree-law that regulates the use of State vehicles outside working hours, weekends and holidays. Air travel in business class is reserved only for PR, PM and PAN, when lasting up to 4h30.
In a statement to the country, made this Monday, following the approval of the State Budget for 2023, the Prime Minister, José Ulisses Correia e Silva guaranteed that, in 2023, the Government will approve a new law on structures for the rationalization and efficiency of public administration.
For now, as he said, a decree-law was approved two weeks ago that regulates the use of state vehicles.
“There is a clear and restricted definition of entities entitled to vehicles for representation and personal use. It will have an impact on the reduction of State vehicles outside the fixed hours and on weekends and holidays”, explained the head of government.
On the other hand, he added, the OE 2023 law restricts entities that can travel in business class.
In this way, for air travel lasting less than 4h30, with the exception of PR, PM and PAN, travel is in economy class.
Economy is recovering
In his statements, Ulisses Correia e Silva recalled that, from an economic contraction of 14.8% in 2020, due to the impacts of the pandemic, the economy has been recovering.
“We recorded economic growth of 7% in 2021. In 2022, growth will exceed 8%. We thus anticipate the recovery from the economic contraction that was expected to happen only in 2023”, he specified.
This route, as he said, combined with the “good fight” made against the pandemic, is internationally recognized and a reason for confidence in the country.
“Not only do we manage crises and contingencies, but we also invest in the recovery and relaunch of the economy; We invest in increasing resilience and building a future of sustainable development”, he underlined, arguing that, in a difficult and uncertain global economic and social context, the SB 2023 is “of a strong social and solidarity nature”.
Measures provided for in the OE
Among the measures foreseen in the Budget 2023 to continue to face the consequences of the crisis, the PM highlighted the increase in the national minimum wage from 13 to 14 thousand escudos and the updating of salaries and pensions of the contributory regime.
“As of January 1, 2023, another 3,000 elderly people will benefit from the social pension. The Social Inclusion Income, covering 5,000 families, is maintained. The eradication of extreme poverty and the reduction of absolute poverty are at the center of our priorities”, he summarized.
The Government, as he said, is still investing “several thousand escudos” to guarantee subsidies for pre-school education, free basic and secondary education, transport, canteens and school kits.
The measures provided for in this OE also include housing, referred to by the PM as being the place “where the poverty of thousands of families lives”, the empowerment of women and young people, through investment in the productive inclusion of women, in the professional qualification of young people and the promotion of entrepreneurship.
“Companies can continue to rely on the Government”
With regard to the business sector, Correia e Silva guaranteed the reinforcement of support for the recovery of companies, tax and financial incentives and incentives for investment, a more robust financing ecosystem and improvement of the business environment.
Still, he listed, a new Medium-Term Strategic Agreement with the social partners – employers and unions – will be signed at the headquarters of the Council for Social Dialogue.
“On the Government side, all ministries will focus on the objectives of improving the business environment and conditions for promoting private investment, with a more proactive attitude, more efficiency and greater effectiveness”, he added.
The chief executive also underlined that the OE 2023 should include investments in agriculture, fishing, industry and tourism, as well as in transport and in the digital economy, in the energy transition.
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