The same is the case for the island’s rich traditions, which are preserved not only as a cultural heritage of the inhabitants that contributes to their identity, but will also be possible for guests to experience – indeed, travellers have great interest in original, genuine handcrafted artwork, country-specific villages, ancient rituals, and customs handed down through the ages.

An Old Town newly brought back to life and traditions that can be experienced will sustainably improve the tourist infrastructure and quite generally increase the attractiveness of the island and of the country, whereby entirely new, sustainable economic prospects will emerge for the local people.

The project will create numerous additional jobs for the local populace and open up completely new professional prospects in the industrial, tourist, and commercial sectors. We place great value in preferring the use of technology on the island of Bolama that is manufactured by local enterprises in the northern industrial zone of the island. Equally so, every measure for improving these ought to be realized. Therefore this integration process is a win-win situation, which offers both residents as well as the outsourced enterprises socio-economic advantages. The exchange of know-how benefits everyone and constitutes a schema from which everyone sustainably profits.

Optimal working conditions and fair compensation have top priority for us. The objective is that every employee feels safe and well at his or her workplace. This is guaranteed by creating a just work environment, free of prejudice, and by compliance with fixed working hours. Moreover, all employees can use a rapid, safe transport service with correspondingly coordinated schedules to reach their workplaces.

An additional important focus is the education system. The inhabitants of Guinea-Bissau receive the opportunity for a dual education, consisting of schooling and vocational training, which is set up and patterned after the German model, in co-operation with the Ministry of Civil Service and Labour. The dual education and training system combines theory and practice and makes it possible to learn specific skills of a specialised occupation. Each educational course concludes with a training certificate. These measures are supported by, e.g., the establishment of language schools for English. Possible premiums for achieving certain degrees and certificates should provide an additional educational incentive.

Diverse infrastructural measures ensure Bolama’s revival. Besides a new water supply, these also include the maintenance of existing roads, as well as the construction of new traffic routes and connections. Both the planned dwelling construction projects as well as the supporting measures for development of the regional agricultural economy, should contribute to a material, sustainable improvement of the local people’s quality of life.

The future free-trade zone of Bolama shall furnish a sustainable upturn for the entire regional economy – not only that of the country, but also extending far beyond it. The establishing of international companies will open up entirely new revenue markets for local products and services.
Among the positive effects of Bolama’s free trade zone is the attractiveness for internationally active companies and for a highly skilled foreign labour force. They will help establish innovative technologies in the country and, by extension, this will result in the creation of highly qualified jobs for the local populace. For the locals, these changes will mean a greater quality of life and improved professional prospects. New jobs will also be created on the mainland by newly founded companies in various industries. The national and international demand for goods, wares, and services is increasing, and the increased need for providers and suppliers, entirely new and lucrative business opportunities are opening up for local production and commercial business operations.

However, the State will also profit from the greater economic performance generated. Because the new free-trade zone will bear the entire costs, the State budget will record considerably greater revenues in the future, without making costly investments for such or having to implement expensive changes in rules and regulations. Via the upturn in the business cycle, the country’s gross domestic product will increase, just like the wage level. At present, the minimum wage in Guinea-Bissau is €50.00 per month. Employees who work for enterprises in the free trade zone will receive wages three times as high, of at least €150.00 per month. The country’s purchasing power will also increase by means of this elevated household income.

Hence, not only will enterprises active within the free-trade zone profit from this initiative, but also the inhabitants of the island and the entire country. All in all, among the public Guinea-Bissau’s name recognition will improve, as well as awareness of the country. Not least because such a large-scale, ambitious project also arouses international attention and fascinates the media. The media coverage will not only provide a positive imagine but will also stimulate economic interests worldwide.

Last but not least, establishing the free-trade zone on Bolama will have positive effects on the local tourism sector, as part of the country’s overall economic enhancement, because it contributes to the development of the island as an economic hotspot.