Remarks for SUCLA Project Launch
Tarrafal – São Nicolau
March 18, 2022
It is with great pleasure that I return to São Nicolau, which is one of my favorite islands in Cabo Verde, to participate in the launch ceremony of this important project. SUCLA is an undeniable reference in the history of entrepreneurship and culture of Cabo Verde. The company, with increasingly strong commercial ties with the United States, has had its exports increased 100 percent in 2021 alone.
SUCLA is is one of the grant recipients under a US$2.3 million United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded program in Cabo Verde to mitigate the private sector impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme aims, in particular, to support companies, that like SUCLA, employ women and young people.
On behalf of the United States government, I express my satisfaction to the extent that this timely financing of nearly five hundred thousand dollars, which combined with a co-investment of SUCLA, will allow to expand production, reduce costs through renewable energy and create and maintain fifty (50) jobs, of which eighty (80) percent will be for young people and women.
The project will enable SUCLA to further increase exports to the United States, strengthening and creating new sales opportunities in the United States.
The United States government is very proud to work with Cape Verde to make efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 and support economic recovery.
The project we launched today is yet another testament to our commercial and economic partnership to support the Cape Verdean private sector.
Together we are stronger!
