On Thursday (9), Cape Verde and Senegal expressed their desire to strengthen economic cooperation and accelerate trade between the two countries, including facilitating the entry of Senegalese agricultural products and establishing a regular maritime service.
“We hope there will be facilitation agreements to allow Senegalese agricultural products to enter the Cape Verdean market,” said the director general of the Senegalese Shippers’ Council (Cosec), Ndeye Thiam, emphasizing that her country is willing to “take all necessary steps” toward establishing a regular maritime route between Dakar and the city of Praia.
She was speaking in the Cape Verdean capital following a meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva as part of a Senegalese business mission taking place in the country through Saturday.
As she explained, despite the “strong political will” expressed by both governments, trade relations between Cape Verde and Senegal remain dependent on the resolution of technical issues, particularly regarding the import of agricultural products and the establishment of a regular maritime link between the two countries.
Ndeye Thiam also noted that Senegal intends to export consumer goods such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, carrots, mangoes, melons, watermelons, and peanut products to Cape Verde, while pointing out, however, that these goods are subject to sanitary requirements that have yet to be harmonized.
The Cape Verdean prime minister highlighted the existence of a “clear message of interest and political will” to strengthen economic relations between Dakar and Praia.
Ulisses Correia e Silva emphasized that, in the context of integration into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Senegal is a partner with which Cape Verde maintains “strong cultural and historical ties,” which fosters economic cooperation.
He also noted that constraints related to transportation and logistics are being progressively overcome, thanks to the existence of regular air links, including cargo transport, and the increase in maritime connections—factors that are expected to accelerate trade and investment.
Source: Lusa
