Vasco Cordeiro highlights "strong partnership" with entrepreneurs for good use of EU funds
The President of the Government of the Azores urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the tools available under the new Community funds in order to create wealth and employment in the Region.
"At the moment we are starting to make use of EU funds, through a set of tools that are now available to entrepreneurs, I urge our business community to strengthen the clear awareness of the opportunities brought by these tools but, above all, of the urgent need to use them in the creation of wealth and employment in our Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government spoke Friday at the opening of the second edition of the AçorExpo Fair, which falls under the Strategic Plan for the Promotion and Enhancement of Azorean products. This initiative is developed by the Regional Government in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores and in collaboration with the Society for the Business Development of the Azores (SDEA).
Vasco Cordeiro stressed that we will only be able to "build our success with this strong partnership and common goals," which are based on several tools provided by public authorities as well as on the capacity already demonstrated by regional entrepreneurs.
"The success of our Region and our achievements demonstrate that our entrepreneurs are at the same level of those from other parts of the national territory regarding the competitiveness of our products and of our economy," added the government official.
Accordingly, the President of the Government called for the "best of effort, work, skills and entrepreneurship that entrepreneurs and workers have demonstrated in many circumstances" since they are "essential partners to help the Region overcoming the challenges we have ahead of us."
Among the various tools available, Vasco Cordeiro pointed out the example of the "Azores Brand," which is already at an implementation phase. Several entrepreneurs have joined this distinctive factor of the quality of regional products.
"Another measure is the Azores 2020 Regional Operational Programme, through the incentives scheme Competir+," said Vasco Cordeiro, pointing out the importance of a series of professional development programmes, funded by the European Social Fund , which are relevant to reinforcement of competitiveness and the sustainability of companies.
"This is, basically, a series of measures that add up to the programme especially directed to the agricultural sector - PRORURAL + - which is already being implemented.
At a time of so many great challenges, the promotion of regional production turns out to be an essential contribution to our economy, providing it with important tools so that it may be increasingly competitive and create wealth and employment in the Region," stressed the President of the Government.
With an area of about 1,400 m2, this year's edition of AçorExpo, which takes place at the "Pavilhão do Mar" in Ponta Delgada, features more than six dozen stands for Azorean companies in various fields of economic activity, including spaces dedicated to handicrafts.