Guinea-Bissau: Institutional Dialogue and Prospects for Cooperation Bissau

Guinea-Bissau: Institutional Dialogue and Prospects for Cooperation
Bissau | 7–11 December 2021

European Strategic Initiative conducted a mission to Bissau to engage with the Guinea-Bissau authorities on the country’s development priorities and explore opportunities for cooperation, investment and international partnerships.

The mission included meetings with Victor Mandinga, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration; Fernando Vaz, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts and Government Spokesperson; and Mário Siano Fambé, Minister of Fisheries.

Discussions with the Minister of Economy focused on the structural challenges facing Guinea-Bissau’s economy, including transport infrastructure needs, as well as the legal and fiscal framework for investment. These discussions were followed by meetings with the Investment Promotion Agency and the Business Formalisation Centre, providing an opportunity to examine several priority projects and the conditions for developing private investment.

In the tourism sector, discussions focused on the development and structuring of the country’s tourism offer, ecotourism, infrastructure needs and ways to enhance Guinea-Bissau’s potential as an international destination. A Memorandum of Understanding and a cooperation mandate were signed with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts to support efforts to mobilise investment in the tourism sector.

Discussions with the Minister of Fisheries addressed several priorities, including the development of port and fisheries infrastructure, the strengthening of national capacities, certification to facilitate access to international markets — particularly the European market — and enhanced monitoring and control capabilities. Discussions also explored the prospect of an international conference in Bissau bringing together public and private stakeholders around the development of the fisheries sector.

Through these meetings, the mission helped deepen dialogue with the Guinea-Bissau authorities and economic stakeholders and identify several avenues for mobilising international partners, expertise and investment.