CityU scholar’s article discusses development opportunities and challenges in Portuguese-speaking island states

An article co-authored by Professor Francisco Leandro, Associate Dean of the Institute on Research for Portuguese-Speaking Countries of City University of Macau (CityU), and Dr. Paulo Gonçalves, an independent international relations research fellow, discussed the political status, historical issues, economic and trade opportunities and challenges of sustainable social development facing Guinea-Bissau, a Portuguese-speaking island.

The article Brittle Guinea-Bissau: A Quest for Political and Economic Stability, was indexed in the Janus.net – a scientific and peer-reviewed e-journal of International Relations. The bilingual journal was published by the Observatory of Foreign Relations (Portuguese: Observare) of the Autonomous University of Lisbon.

The economy of Guinea-Bissau relies on agriculture, fishery, and mining. Together with nine other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Mozambique, and Portugal, it participates in the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), aiming to facilitate multi-lateral cooperation in economy and trade.

The article reviews the history, political status, and economic and trade development of Guinea-Bissau and analyses the country’s ethnic structure, social resources, and economic model. The scholars identify the room for social development, the factors of political stability, and the challenges it faces.

Archipelago Bolama-Bijagós has been classified by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as one of the World Biosphere Ecological Reserves for its remarkable range of fauna and flora and unique immaterial heritages. The article points out that its heritage protection requires political and social stability. Moreover, the article also provides insights into the social challenges and sustainable development of Guinea-Bissau.

Please click here to visit Janus.net to read the full text.