Mayor of Brava strengthens twinning with Portuguese municipalities on official visit

The first stage of the visit took place in Serpa, where President Amândio Brito was received by his counterpart, João Efigénio Palma, and members of the municipal executive. The main aim of the meeting was to analyze the current state of the cooperation protocol and outline future joint actions. One of the central points of discussion was the crucial support for the reconstruction of the Brava Municipal Market, a vital infrastructure for the local economy that was recently devastated by a fire.

In addition to emergency support, other promising areas of collaboration were explored. The reinforcement of equipment in the basic sanitation sector on Brava, a constant challenge for many islands, was also on the agenda. Serpa's vast experience in this area is an asset for sharing knowledge and implementing effective solutions.

The agenda in Serpa also covered the rich universe of cultural exchange. Cante Alentejano, the region's emblematic cultural expression, the valuable archaeological heritage and the dynamic museum culture were presented as areas for potential collaboration, with the aim of enriching cultural experiences in both territories. Cooperation could extend to the supply of sports equipment, encouraging the practice of physical activities in the Brava, and the promotion of technical-vocational training in key sectors such as agriculture, plumbing, electricity and mechanics. Serpa's recognized experience and qualified human resources in these areas open doors for the development of new skills on the Cape Verdean island.

The journey continued to Mértola, at the invitation of the Mértola Heritage Defense Association (ADPM). The association's president, Jorge Revez, played a key role in organizing the meeting. In Mértola, the discussions focused on deepening collaboration in the areas of culture, tourism and heritage. The primary objective is to strengthen intercultural ties between the two municipalities, exploiting synergies that benefit sustainable tourism development and the enhancement of the historical and cultural heritage of both regions.

At the end of the visit, President Amândio Brito expressed his deep gratitude for the warm hospitality and support shown in Serpa and Mértola. He stressed the enormous potential of this visit for the future of Brava, foreseeing concrete results in the areas of reconstruction, sanitation, culture and training. The possibility of a future visit by the Mayor of Serpa to the island of Brava remained open, a gesture that would certainly contribute to further strengthening the fraternal ties and cooperation between the two twinned communities. This official visit represents a significant step in strengthening relations between Brava and its Portuguese partners, promising tangible benefits for the social and economic development of the island.