The Government of the Azores opened a new international tender for the cutting, sale and reforestation of seven regional public cryptomeria plots on the island of São Miguel. This measure was implemented to revitalise the timber industry under the Azorean Agenda for Employment Creation and Business Competitiveness.

 The 92.1 hectare area put to tender is located in the forests of Tronqueira, Lomba de São Pedro and Água Retorta, located within the Island Forest Perimeter and Regional Forests. It was also subject to an Environmental Impact Study.

 The plots were distributed in order to minimise the impact on soil, alteration of hydrological regimes, biodiversity and landscape. This division also took into consideration the safeguarding of the so-called "forest services," namely protective functions as well as the conservation and stabilisation of soils, water lines and biodiversity.

 The use of quality wood from trees at the end of their useful live and the replanting of public forests contribute to the sustained creation of jobs, direct and indirect, in the private sector.

 By implementing this measure, the Regional Government also aims to foster the creation of new business opportunities in the area of timber processing and innovation and the promote exports.

 The Azorean forest has 12,698 hectares of cryptomeria forests, of which 4,500 are managed by regional authorities. A total of 2,119 hectares are located on São Miguel.

 Cryptomeria wood bears a brand image and is of excellent quality. It has a wide array of uses and almost no competitors due to the ease of working and drying, durability, texture and aesthetic appearance.