The relationship between China and Cape Verde has evolved over the years into a genuine partnership with mutual benefits, said Júlio Morais, Cape Verde’s departing Ambassador to China.

Cape Verdean news agency Inforpress quoted Mr Morais – who will end his 10-year tenure by the end of this month – saying the two nations had built up ties based on mutual understanding and with great emphasis on economic co-operation, trade and investment.

Mr Morais said he was “satisfied” with his 10 years of work, adding that the two nations were now working on establishing a fund which would provide credit for small- and medium-sized enterprises on the African archipelago.

In the future the Cape Verdean administration will also work on the privatisation of the nation’s shipyard, Estaleiros Navais de Cabo Verde (Cabnave).

“The negotiation for the privatisation of Cabnave started six years ago but failed,” Mr Morais said. “Right now we are reviving the proposal in another perspective and business model, taking into account there is a Chinese company in the fishing sector, which is interested in the [Cape Verde] company.”