Praia, 2 July (Inforpress) – The Government has expressed its “deepest condolences and solidarity” with the government and people of Venezuela, following the earthquakes that recently struck that country, causing deaths, injuries and extensive material damag.

In a message signed by the Prime Minister, Francisco Carvalho, the Cape Verdean government expresses, on behalf of the people of the islands and the diaspora, “its deepest condolences” to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured and to the communities affected by the tragedy.

In a statement, the Government reaffirmed its support for the Venezuelan people at this time of grief and sorrow, and expressed the hope that the affected areas would be quickly restored.

The Head of Government also extends a message of solidarity and encouragement to the rescue teams and organisations working on the ground, highlighting the work they have done to assist those affected by the natural disaster.

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Assomada, 2 July (Inforpress) – Today, the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce (CCS) reopened its branch in Santiago Norte, in the municipality of Santa Catarina, with a view to strengthening direct support for business owners and boosting local economic development.

On that occasion, the chairman of CCS, Marcos Rodrigues, stated that the reopening represents a strategic reorganisation of an existing space, which has now been modernised and adapted to the new requirements of the business ecosystem in the Northern Santiago region.

The delegation is now offering new integrated services, including the issuing of municipal documents, the payment of local taxes, a service desk at the Casa do Cidadão, and technical support for project planning.

According to the official, the infrastructure is linked in real time to the Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters in Praia, ensuring a faster service.

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Lisbon, 2 July (Inforpress) – The President of the Republic, José Maria Neves, presented awards this Wednesday in Lisbon to Manuel de Almeida Damásio and Lucas Filipe da Cruz, in recognition of their contributions to education and community organisations within the Cape Verdean community in Portugal.

Manuel Damásio, president of COFAC, was awarded the Medal of Merit, 1st Class, whilst association leader Lucas da Cruz received the Volcano Medal, also 1st Class, at a ceremony held at the Cape Verdean Embassy in Lisbon, as part of the programme for the Head of State’s official visit to Portugal, which concludes on Thursday 2nd.

According to José Maria Neves, the honours form part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of national independence and recognise individuals who, both before and after independence, contributed to the country’s development.

The President of the Republic highlighted the role of education as one of the key drivers of social transformation and mobility, emphasising the contribution made by the Portuguese citizen Manuel Damásio to strengthening higher education in the archipelago.

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Cidade da Praia, 1 July (Inforpress) – World Library Day provides an opportunity to bring the institution closer to local communities and to encourage a love of reading amongst children and young people through fun activities, the president of the National Library said today.

Matilde Santos was speaking to the press at an event in Ponta d’Água, in the city of Praia, as part of the celebrations for World Library Day, which is observed annually on 1 July.

According to the same source, this is the third consecutive edition of the initiative, carried out in partnership with community associations from different neighbourhoods, with the aim of encouraging children and young people to engage with the library.

Matilde Santos also noted that the celebration marks the start of the Summer Library, which welcomed 36 children over a two-week period for activities promoting books and reading.

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