Private investment in the Region demonstrates entrepreneurs' confidence in the economy, says Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government presided over the laying of the first stone of the Double Tree by Hilton hotel and visited the works of the Azores International Hospital, two significant ongoing investments in the city of Lagoa that showcase the confidence of private investors in the Region's economy.
“These are private investments supported by the Competir+ incentive system, a circumstance that is quite significant regarding the confidence that economic development arouses on the part of private investors in the Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.
On the first day of the Regional Government's visit to the São Miguel Island, the President of the Government highlighted the behaviour of the economy. This is evidenced by the “record figures that are being registered” in job creation, both in terms of the employed population and the working population.
The performance of the Azorean economy is also visible from the point of view of wealth creation in the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro stressed, noting that the Region's GDP has stood out among all regions of the country and even compared to the country's average.
In his speech, the President of the Government also highlighted the adherence of entrepreneurs to the Export Promotion Subsystem, under the Competir + incentive system, which has already received almost 300 applications. This corresponds to an expected investment over 425 million Euros and the creation of almost 1,800 jobs in the Region.
“This is important data for us to keep in mind, but above all to analyse where we are and where we want to go", said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at the ceremony of laying the first stone of the four-star Hilton International Hotel, an investment of around 16 million Euros that was considered a Project of Regional Interest (PIR).
“This project goes beyond the construction of just a hotel for what it involves in terms of an integrated vision and coordination with the Azores International Hospital as well as for the implementation of a major international chain with a strong presence in one of the strategic markets for the Azores, such as the United States of America," stressed the President of the Government.
Regarding tourism, Vasco Cordeiro stated that, despite the “remarkable path” that the Region has begun in this area, it is necessary to “be aware of the need to always strive for more, even in a sector that has been reinforcing its importance in the regional economy."
“We cannot rest and we cannot take for granted that this path can now take us to rest. This is what the Government has been doing and, accordingly, it has been counting on private partnerships in this process," said the President of the Government.
On this first day of his visit to São Miguel, Vasco Cordeiro also visited the construction works of the Azores International Hospital, an investment of around 27 million Euros. According to him, it “will have a direct impact on the health of the Azoreans as the services to be provided by this hospital allow them, under certain circumstances, to receive care in the Region without the need to travel to Mainland Portugal."
"Public support for this investment does not neglect, for a minute whatsoever, the investment made in the Regional Health Service (SRS)," ensured the President of the Government. As he noted, the transfers over 275 million Euros to the Regional Health Service in 2020 "clearly evidence that the Regional Government remains firm in this objective."
"Between the period in which this investment was presented - in 2017 - and 2020, we register a higher growth in the public resources allocated to the Regional Health Service than what this private investment represents," said Vasco Cordeiro.
"This means that we welcome this private initiative, but that does not mean that we neglect, for a minute, the investment in more resources and in better responses from the public health service to the Azoreans," said Vasco Cordeiro.