Cape Verde restricts access and use of public vehicles

Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva announced on Monday a tightening of rules on access to and use of public vehicles, with the approval of a new decree-law to this effect and increased checks.

“There is a clear and restrictive definition of entities that may be entitled to vehicles for representation and personal use. This will affect the reduction of state vehicles after hours, weekends and holidays,” Ulysses Correia said this morning. E Silva speaking to the country from Praia on the approval early Saturday of the proposed state budget law for 2023.

According to the head of government, a new decree-law regulating the use of public vehicles was approved by the Council of Ministers about two weeks ago, listing sovereign persons and bodies that “may have access to and use vehicles for representational and personal purposes.” use”.

“All the rest, including heads of state administration, state institutions, regulatory bodies and state-owned companies, will have vehicles for operation during working hours of the service. On weekends and holidays, vehicles can be used with drivers,” he explained.

“This allows us to more rationalize the use of vehicles and make a very clear distinction between what is personal use and which is very limited by entities that are sovereign authorities, and what is used for official purposes, which can only be carried out in accordance with certain conditions that actually meet the requirements of the service,” the head of government added.

Ulisses Correia y Silva ensured that “there will be oversight” of the new rules: “The big advantage is that the rules, which are now clearer, are much more binding. And that makes a very clear distinction that also allows for more effective oversight.”

Cape Verde has been experiencing a deep economic and financial crisis due to a sharp drop in tourism demand – a sector that guarantees 25% of the archipelago’s GDP – since March 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.

It experienced a historic economic downturn equivalent to 14.8% of GDP in 2020, followed by a 7% growth in 2021 driven by a recovery in tourism demand. For 2022, due to the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine, namely rising prices, the government of Cape Verde lowered its growth forecast in June from 6% to 4%, which, however, was revised again, now by more than 8%. %.

“In 2023, the Government will approve a new law with a structure focused on the rationalization and efficiency of public administration. The digital transformation of public administration will increase the level of “online” services, interoperability between services, transparency and interaction with users and citizens,” he said.

Ulisses Correia y Silva added that the 2023 state budget law, approved early Saturday morning only by votes in favor of the Movement for Democracy (MPD, majority), “defines and restricts organizations that can travel in business class,” which was not provided in the original version of the document, which allowed travel only in economy class.

“For trips by plane lasting less than four and a half hours, with the exception of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the National Assembly, trips are carried out in economy class,” he also said.

The draft law on the state budget for 2023 is estimated at 77.9 billion escudos (712 million euros), includes an increase in the lowest salaries in public administration and provides for economic growth of 4.8% of Cape Verde’s gross domestic product (GDP). and inflation below 4% versus more than 8% expected this year.

“Economic growth and an active employment policy through training, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship will undoubtedly create more and better employment and income conditions, especially for young people. Companies can continue to rely on the government. Together we have gone through a very difficult time,” the Prime Minister said in the same message.

“Support for the recovery of companies, incentives and tax and financial incentives for investment, a more robust financial ecosystem and improvement in the business environment are ongoing and will be strengthened in 2023. We are talking about a new medium-term strategic agreement with the social partners. about employers and trade unions, will be held at the headquarters of the Social Dialogue Council,” he added.

Ulisses Correia e Silva stated that Cape Verde needs “a more dynamic business structure with an entrepreneurial attitude, quality of management and the ability to innovate” and that “from the side of the government, all ministries will focus on the objectives of improving the environment, business and conditions to encourage private investment with a more active stance, greater efficiency and greater impact” in 2023.

“Now we need to strengthen confidence in the country. Cape Verde is a country with a good international reputation,” he stressed.