Cape Verde and Luxembourg prepare new co-operation program

Cape Verde and Luxembourg will sign a new Indicative Cooperation Program on October 4 in the European Grand Duchy. Health, education, water and sewage are the priority areas to be included in the new Program, which will cover the period ranging from 2006 to 2009 and which will have the reduction of regional disparities as its main objective.

The new Indicative Cooperation Program with Luxembourg will encompass the entire archipelago, without, however, removing the emphasis traditionally given to the islands of Santo Antão and São Nicolau.

Financing for the various nation-wide programs has already been secured. The programs include a maintenance plan for health sector facilities, as well as a school health program. The construction of a hotel and tourism school in Praia is the crown jewel of this new Indicative Cooperation Program. According to Pinheiro, the future hotel school will be co-financed by private Cape Verdean companies, which will also be called upon to assist in its administration.

The Indicative Cooperation Plan also includes the municipality of São Domingos on the island of Santiago, where the second phase of the local water supply project will receive financing, and São Vicente, where a health center will be constructed in the neighborhood of Monte Sossego, the island’s most populous.

Source: ASemanaOnline (August 20, 2005)