IMF in Cape Verde promotes Social Protection.
The Minister of the State of Cape Verde, for the Family, Inclusion and Social Development, Fernando Elísio Freire, met with members of the International Monetary Fund mission (IMF), led by the Fund's new Head of Mission for Cape Verde, Senior Economist Justin Tyson.
The meeting served to strengthen the measures for Social Protection implemented by the Ministry of Family, Inclusion and Social Development, and the parties stressed the possibility of continuing to work towards strengthening existing programs.
Fernando Elísio Freire demonstrated to the IMF mission the pertinence and the need to continue to invest in the social policies being implemented in Cape Verde, in order to include everyone. A bet that, according to him, requires resources, maintaining a social balance considered extremely important, in this difficult moment that the world is experiencing, in the face of the various crises.
“I demonstrated to the IMF mission the need for Cape Verde to continue to reinforce the policy of solidarity and inclusion, as a country regarded as a good partner, credible, with good governance, and transparent in the use of public resources”, said the Minister.
Fernando Elísio Freire also demonstrated why the Government maintains the Social Inclusion Income for five thousand families, regulates and creates conditions with a support fund for victims of Gender-Based Violence, as an important resource for the empowerment of girls and women, and the need for universalization of preschool and day care centers.
“The IMF fully understood that in the budgetary framework it is necessary to continue with these fundamental expenditures, because around 45% of the State Budget is in the social pillar”.
“That is, in the fight against poverty, health, education, housing rehabilitation, investments for a more inclusive Cape Verde that guarantees equal opportunities for all”, said the Governor.
Assuring that the Government is aware of the creation of sustainability, Fernando Elísio Freire advanced that the implementation of the MAIS Fund allows to raise around 140 thousand escudos in the first year, thanks to the increase of the tourist tax in 50 cents to finance programs to combat poverty, among other measures.
The MAIS Fund will be used for the Social Inclusion Income, to be used for the universalization of nurseries and pre-school, so that all children and students in Cape Verde are in the education system, free of charge until the 12th year.
On the other hand, Fernando Elísio Freire ensures that the Government is working hard to resume tourism, with the digital transition, blue economy, in order to increasingly reinforce social policies.
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Picture: © 2022 Government of Cape Verde