The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport highlighted the work carried out in the area of information and communication technologies, which is embodied in the Digital and Technological Agenda implemented by the Regional Government.

Vítor Fraga spoke Wednesday at the ceremony that marked the partnership between Google Portugal and the Azorean company Cybermap. The government official highlighted the commitment of the Government in this sector of new technologies, noting that the implementation of the Digital and Technology agenda will enable the allocation of 40 million Euros, directly and indirectly, through the four axes and 29 measures of this Agenda by 2020.

The incentive systems schemes such as Competir+ and Azores 2020 Operation Programme will be focused on the implementation of new services available for citizens.

"This commitment must be focused on the dematerialisation of the relations between public administration and citizens, i.e., the implementation of simpler, transparent and innovative procedures and services that will foster the participation of citizens and meet their needs," Vítor Fraga said, point out the new RIAC portal.

"In order to achieve this goal, the Government has awarded priority status to the beginning of a new phase in the digital relation between all those that are part of the Azorean society in the next five years," the Regional Secretary stressed, adding that the simplification and dematerialisation of services will be the goal of all Regional Public Administration, thus complying with the best practices at European level.

"We are confident that these and other projects can be availed by the Azorean companies to, on the one hand, acquire critical mass and, on the other hand, develop specific skills that can be exported through the provision of online services," stressed Vítor Fraga.

The Regional Secretary also stressed that one of the main goals of the Government is to strengthen the regional economy, not only in traditional sectors but also through in the diversification of regional economy. The accomplishment of this goal requires the investment in new sectors as well as in innovation and knowledge, based on education, training, innovation and entrepreneurship.

"These are key areas to overcome the challenge of job creation in the Azores and we have partners to help us doing so, such as the case of the University of the Azores and our businesspeople; the latter are, in fact, largely responsible for wealth generation and employment creation in the Region," said Vítor Fraga.