The Regional Director for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness highlighted the "growth of the Azorean business fabric" in Ponta Delgada, adding that 456 new companies were created in the Azores between December 2017 and November 2018.
"There are more than 335 active companies in the Region between November 2017 and November 2018, registering a total of 7,411 active companies, that is, companies presenting legal evidence of their activity," said Ricardo Medeiros.
According to the Informa barometer, the Azores are the region of the country that recorded the highest business creation rate in the last 12 months for each company dissolved, with a ratio of 2.8. In turn, Madeira registered a ratio of 2 and the national average stood at 2.4 in the same period of time.
"This ratio of 2.8 represents the creation of almost three companies for each company that closed down," stressed the Regional Director.
"If we take into account the distribution across the three former districts of the Azores, it was Angra do Heroísmo that recorded the highest business creation ratio for each company dissolved, standing at 3.6 - highest in the country - while Ponta Delgada registered a ratio of 2.7 and Horta 1.9," stated the government official.
According to Ricardo Medeiros, "these indicators clearly show a business dynamic, based on the trust and capacity of Azorean entrepreneurs to create new companies and invest in the rejuvenation of the business fabric."
The Regional Director for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness also stated that the Regional Government will continue to support regional companies with a wide range of measures aimed at increasing their competitiveness and productivity, with a strong focus on digital tools.