The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced today in Ponta Delgada that the Regional Government will launch procedures for public works later in 2015, representing an investment over 284 million Euros.

With regard to the contract works included in the Regional Public Works Charter (CROP), Vítor Fraga stressed that works amounting to 7.8 million Euros have already been concluded. Currently, there are ongoing works whose global investment exceeds 65 million Euros and the Government has already launched tender procedures in the amount of 99 million Euros.

The Regional Secretary spoke on the sidelines of a meeting of the Regional Council of Public Works he had called, thus "fulfilling a commitment that had been made to present the revision of CROP."

Vítor Fraga stressed that the Regional Public Works Charter "reflects the current needs, but also those identified at this time for the period up to 2020," adding that "it will eventually incorporate other need that might be identified in due time."

In this regard, the government official revealed that "the members of the Council were informed that the Charter will be revised on an annual basis, just after the approval of the Regional Plan and Budget." Hence, this important document will contain "increasingly reliable information and will become an effective strategic tool in helping companies to plan their activity and define their policy of alliances."

For Victor Fraga, the CROP is able to provide "a new impetus to the entire construction sector."

The government official presented two proposals for legislative amendments at today's meeting of the Regional Council of Public Works.

One of these proposals, according to the Regional Secretary, concerns public procurement. It is intended to adapt it to the reality of the Region by streamlining procedures and directing them to our economic reality and our regional business sector, which mainly composed of small and medium companies.

The second proposal falls under the energy certification systems of buildings and is aimed at the reduction of construction costs.

"Therefore, what we propose implies a reduction of 17% in construction costs related to covering materials, which will contribute to the revitalisation of the construction sector," stressed Vítor Fraga.

The legislation will also "promote the development of real estate and exempt those who wish to market property for sale from prior presentation of the certificate, allowing them to do so in a later stage," added the Regional Secretary.