"Azores Brand" at the service of companies to promote regional products and services, says Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government stated that the "Azores Brand," publicly presented today, is an opportunity to Azorean companies insofar as it will boost their competitiveness and promote regional products and services.
"In fact, this is an opportunity for companies that will be put at the service of the economic sector and its agents. It is an important lever that will contribute to the differentiation, promotion and increased competitiveness of Azorean products and services produced in the Region," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at the presentation of the "Azores Brand," whose slogan is "Certified by nature."
During the ceremony held at the "Algar do Carvão" (Coal Cavern), a Regional Natural Monument of Terceira Island, the President of the Government stressed that this brand represents the fulfilment of another commitment taken under the Azorean Agenda for Employment Creation and Business Competitiveness, being also a requirement for both public authorities and private operators.
"The 'Azores Brand' will be more valuable the more demanding we be in the compliance with the message and the guarantee it provides This is a requirement that anyone - whether a public or private entity - must comply with," said the government official.
In his speech, the President of the Government announced that the Council of the Government will meet next week and will approve the access conditions to the "Azores Brand." This will allow us to enter into a new phase when "this brand will be what we want it to be."
"By being aware of the work we still have do in this area, the Government of the Azores has decided that the participation of the Azores in the next Lisbon Tourism Market will be the first major step towards the visibility and promotion of the 'Azores Brand,'" said Vasco Cordeiro.
In this regard, the President of the Government stressed that the creation of the "Azores Brand" enhances the visibility of a series of features that positively differentiate the Azores. When incorporated in products and services, these features should bring added value to them.
"In an increasingly globalised and standardised world, our strategic option is to promote and enhance the visibility of the unique features that distinguish us." This strategy is based on environmental and sustainability factors," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The "Azores Brand" is aimed at private companies, cooperatives, non-profit organisations as well as the Azorean Government and the regional public sector. It will become a territorial brand of reference that identifies Azorean products and services and the uniqueness of the resources from a Region with a high environmental sustainability.
The brand will be also used as a seal that will distinguish multiple products from regional companies. It will allow end consumers and entities to recognise the origin of products when buying intermediate goods, make an informed choice and privilege regional production.
Hence, companies will have the possibility to use the "Azores Brand" on labels, packages, promotional materials for products and services as well as on other logistical and communication materials, thus contributing to the qualification and differentiation of regional products and services.
A key component of this project is based on the possibility of raising the support allocated to Azorean entrepreneurs under the incentive schemes for business competitiveness - Competir+.
The establishment of this brand will also provide companies with the opportunity to take part in communication and marketing campaigns under the "Azores Brand," promoted by the coordinating body, governmental departments and partner entities. The brand will clearly enhance the visibility of products and services that joined this initiative and contribute to the increased confidence of consumers, allowing them to recognise the quality of regional production.
Moreover, the "Azores Brand" will also support business initiatives intended to promote its internationalisation.