Cape Verde to issue new banknotes

A new issue of banknotes approved by the government of Cape Verde is expected to go into circulation later this year, according to pan-African news agency Panapress.
The issue consists of new notes of 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 escudos and honors Cape Verdean figures from the world of culture and politics, including deceased songstress Cesaria Evora and the first president of Cape Verde, Aristides Pereira.
Announcing the decision to allow the central bank to issue new notes, the spokesman for the government and Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Demis Lobo said that the notes, which contain technological advances and “innovative” security features also replenish the amount of cash in circulation, which is considered low.
According to the ordinance, the new 200-escudo note honors the physician and Cape Verdean writer Henrique Teixeira de Sousa and his native island, Fogo.
The poet Jorge Barbosa, one of the founders of the Claridade literary movement, and his island, Santiago, will be honored on the new 500-escudo note.
The new 1000 escudo notes has a picture of musician and composer Codé di Dona, whose real name was Gregório Vaz, one of the foremost exponents of funaná music.
Singer Cesaria Evora’s “morna” music will be honored on the 2,000 escudo note, while the first President of the Republic of Cape Verde, Aristides Maria Pereira, as well as his native island, Boa Vista, will be on the 5,000 escudo note, the highest value. MDT/Macauhub