Between December 2 and 6, the World Bank Group carried out a mission to support the implementation of the Resilient Tourism and Blue Economy Development Project (PTRDEA), with a work agenda for the islands of Santiago and São Vicente. The aim of the PTRDEA is to promote sustainable growth in the tourism and blue economy sectors, strengthening Cape Verde’s socio-economic resilience.
The mission included a multidisciplinary team of national and international experts, who held technical meetings, field visits and strategic alignment sessions with various partner entities. In São Vicente, meetings with the Ministry of the Sea and its agencies and ENAPOR focused on maritime/coastal tourism infrastructure, including the cruise tourism development plan.
In Praia, the mission covered technical coordination with the UGPE, the Cultural Heritage Institute, the Tourism Institute, ECV and Pro-Empresa, with emphasis on monitoring the business development program/Impulsiona and the rehabilitation of the Santa Maria x Espargos road. The remote contribution of World Bank experts and international consultants ensured a collaborative approach.
The end of the mission included a high-level meeting with the government to present the project’s progress, challenges and next steps, and reinforced the commitment to swift implementation of the planned activities, especially the coastal fishing/tourism infrastructure).