Praia, 13 August (Inforpress) – The president of the Praia Municipal Assembly has proposed making local authority positions professional and modernising the body’s technology in order to tackle absenteeism and enhance the status of local government in Cabo Verde.

Clara Marques took this position in an interview with Inforpress, reflecting on the challenges of management, efficiency, and attractiveness of a local government mandate.

According to the official, currently, the position of president of the Municipal Assembly does not have an exclusive paid regime nor a fixed base salary, being associated only with a legal bonus equivalent to 20 percent (%) of the salary of the President of the Republic.

According to the same source, this financial limitation, coupled with the fact that most elected municipal officials combine their local government duties with their professional activities, has repercussions on their daily monitoring of local dynamics.

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Praia, 13 August (Inforpress) – The Bank of Cabo Verde (BCV) stated today that international reserve funds are crucial to ensuring price stability and the country’s financial sustainability, whilst guaranteeing management characterised by transparency and rigour.

In a press release, the central bank clarified that the foreign currency held in its custody is essential for maintaining the unilateral peg system, whereby the value of the Escudo is linked to the euro. This mechanism allows the value of the national currency to be fixed, instilling confidence in investors and ensuring that Cabo Verde has the resources to service its external debt and pay for imports.

The institution emphasised that capital preservation and immediate liquidity are the top priorities when investing reserves, with the pursuit of returns being secondary to these criteria and restricted to low-risk instruments. 

In an effort to mitigate credit and market risks, the BCV has further diversified its portfolio. In addition to holding assets in euros and US dollars, the central bank began, from 2020, to invest in the Chinese currency, in sustainable projects and in monetary gold.

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Mindelo, 13 August (Inforpress) – A procession of the statue of Nossa Senhora da Luz will take place on Saturday 15th in Salamansa, as part of the festivities in honour of the patron saint, which run until 8 September in São Vicente, under the motto “Mother of Light, Our Protector”.

According to the statement sent to Inforpress by parish priest Lino Paulino Pereira, the initiative forms part of the programme of festivities for Nossa Senhora da Luz, which includes the transfer of the patron saint’s statue to the communities of Bom Pastor on the 23rd and Chã de Alecrim on the 30th.

The festivities also include moments of reflection, including a talk with the priest on the 25th at the Parish of Nossa Senhora da Luz, on the theme ‘Do whatever He tells you’.

The programme also includes a social dinner on the 29th at the Salesians, the Vigil of Light on 4 September, and a serenade to Nossa Senhora da Luz on 7 September, starting from Praça B. Léza in Monte Sossego.

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Nova Sintra, 12 August (Inforpress) — Today, the City Council of Brava announced that work has resumed on the restoration and modernisation of the 7 Sóis 7 Luas Centre, an iconic building on the island, formerly known as the Official Residence of the President of the Republic.

The project aims to restore Brava Island’s infrastructure, which is “of great importance for hosting, fostering, promoting and publicising artistic and cultural events”, providing better conditions for cultural activities and initiatives. 

The project is also expected to help strengthen cultural exchange between the island of Brava, national cultural groups and international partners, thereby expanding opportunities for interaction and the sharing of experiences in the fields of the arts and culture.

The projects are being carried out through a strategic partnership between the 7 Sóis 7 Luas Association, the Ministry of Culture and Creative Industries, and City Council of Brava, as part of a joint initiative to promote the island’s culture and heritage.

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