The President of the Government pointed out the importance of knowledge and innovation for the development of the Azores. In this regard, he emphasised the role that the science and technology parks under development should play in this strategy, thus providing Azorean companies with the conditions to create jobs and generate wealth.

 "The ultimate goal is to create the conditions so that Azorean companies may increasingly generate wealth and create jobs based on knowledge and innovation, which is what these two aspects can bring about the creation of value in our Region," said Vasco Cordeiro. The government official spoke at the opening ceremony of the S. Miguel Science and Technology Park - NONAGON.

 Vasco Cordeiro stressed that, in order to implement this strategy, one of the most important components concerns the construction of infrastructures that "will provide better conditions to Azorean companies" so that they can achieve their goals of wealth generation and employment creation.

 In addition to the S. Miguel Science and Technology Park, the President of the Government also highlighted the Terceira Science Park, which is dedicated to the areas of biotechnology and the food industry, and the Maritime School to be installed on Faial.

 "The word is on the side of Azorean companies, especially on those that have the ability to create value and wealth on a daily basis. The infrastructure is at your service and your success is also the success of Azorean entrepreneurs. They are intended to help all those who have an entrepreneurial spirit, those who bring innovation and those who seize the opportunities brought by the knowledge that will be generated.

Hence, they will have the opportunity to enhance their competitiveness and improve their ability to create wealth and employment," said the President of the Government.

 "When farmers will become aware of the importance of Terceira Science and Technology Park in the entire chain and when fishers will have the perception of the importance of the Maritime School in their professional enhancement, we will have mobilised our entire economy for the full use of those that can be the benefits these infrastructures can bring to our collective development.”

 The building opened today, the first Science and Technology Park to enter into operation on S. Miguel, features a 1,000 m2 space for the installation of technology-based companies and a specific area for a business incubator; 80 percent of the available has already been occupied.

 With regard to the companies already installed or in the process of being installed, 39 percent are telecommunication and software companies, 28 percent are information and communication technology companies, 15 percent are  companies in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy, 10 percent are companies in the area of integrated information systems, and eight percent are consultancy companies.

 This building is one of four that make up the S. Miguel Science and Technology Park. Vasco Cordeiro also announced that the tender for the construction of the second building for the installation of the Business Centre of the Information and Technology Centre will be launched by the end of the year, thus creating conditions for the establishment of more companies at NONAGON.

 Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the Regional Government's strategy in this area is not limited to the infrastructural component as it also involves policies and measures launched to promote growth through knowledge and innovation.

 "This is the case of the recently approved network of business incubators and the Azores 2020 Operational Programme; the latter embodies the fundamental goals towards research, knowledge and technologies in the first two axes. These strategies are crucial insofar as they promote knowledge in our Region and, above all, they allow regional companies to access the knowledge that will give them the possibility to turn it into wealth and employment creation factors," said the government official.

 In order to achieve this goal, the President of the Government highlighted the importance of the University of the Azores, stressing "the absolutely fundamental role it plays throughout this strategy," but also the fact that it "provides a strong stimulus that will streamline the implementation of this strategy."

 In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro also mentioned the importance of the partnership between the Regional Government and Lagoa City Hall, which has not only given a perspective of regional development but also a perspective of local development, taking advantage of its potential as a municipal development factor.