Launch of public tender for Space Port is "important and effective step" in project to benefit Santa Maria and the Azores
The President of the Azorean Government stated today that the launch of the public tender for the construction and operation of a space port on Santa Maria Island "is an important and effective step" in the implementation of a project that will yield "positive results for this island and the Azores."
Vasco Cordeiro stated that the public tender published Tuesday in the Official Journal "is based on an interactive and competitive dialogue model" and includes "several stages, which will now proceed under the legal terms." It will be possible for the Azorean Government to safeguard an aspect to which it has awarded priority status in this process: the safeguarding of the environmental and safety components.
The President of the Government spoke to journalists during the statutory visit to Corvo Island, adding that the jury of the tender is composed of the following members: the President of the Portuguese Space Agency, Chiara Manfletti; the Vice-President of the Portuguese Space Agency, who is also the Coordinator of the Azores Mission for Space, Luís Santos; the President of the Administration Board of SDEA, Vítor Fraga; members of the Foundation for Science and Technology and scholars collaborating with the Government in this process.
The President of the Government also stated that this project "acknowledges the value of the Azores' position and their profitability as a factor in wealth generation and employment creation," always safeguarding the environmental and safety componentes.