March 10, 2015 – The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) participated in a Business Forum held in Praia, organized by the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services of Cabo Verde on renewable energy and maritime economy. The forum also aggregated the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg, business and project promoters.
The forum was an opportunity to share with the audience information about the gains achieved by ECREEE through its operations throughout the ECOWAS region. Mr. Gil Évora, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Sotavento (CCISS), highlighted the business opportunities existent in Cabo Verde, with a special emphasis in the south of the country, while Mr. Belarmino Lucas President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Services of Barlavento (CCIASB), identified the opportunities existent in the north. In his intervention Mr. Lucas highlighted the existence of three International Airports and a big port, reasoning that those are important infrastructures to promote domestic and international commerce.
Mr. Jeannot Erpelding, Director of International Affairs of the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg, addressed important figures related to the commerce in Luxembourg, in a perspective that Cabo Verde can learn from the experience of the European country. For instance, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce has 50 thousands associates, representing 80% of the GDP of the country.
In his presentation, Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE, addressed the projects promoted by the Centre since its establishment. During his intervention he gave emphasis to the enormous potential existent in the region, which can attract huge investments by the private sector. “Cabo Verde can be a renewable energy hub to ECOWAS”, he said, “as the Government is seriously committed to increase the renewable energy rate by 100% by 2020.” Mr. Kappiah also stated that with the establishment of the Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance Centre (CERMI), Cabo Verde can be a training centre to the region on the different RE technologies as PV, solar thermal and wind.
The Business Forum gave good signs regarding the boost of commercial cooperation between Cabo Verde and Luxembourg on renewable energy and maritime economy.
