the economy of cape verde is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for more than 70% of gdp. although nearly 35% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture and fishing contribute only about 9% of gdp. light manufacturing accounts for most of the remainder. fish and shellfish are plentiful, and small quantities are exported. cape verde has cold storage and freezing facilities and fish processing plants in mindelo, praia, and on sal. expatriate cape verdeans contribute an amount estimated at about 20% of gdp to the domestic economy through remittances.