Cape Verde is eager to speed up the process of privatisation, according to the country’s Minister of Finance, Olavo Correia.

The A Semana newspaper quoted Mr Correia as saying the government had an ambitious privatisation programme covering the management of ports, airports, energy and water; air transportation; and the production and marketing of pharmaceuticals; among others.

Speaking in a seminar on privatisation in Praia, the nation’s capital, last week, Mr Correia said foreign direct investment was essential to fund the programme.

Mr Correia said the programme would be executed swiftly and create opportunities for the private sector.