The advantages of entrepreneurship as a driving force of economic development and the role of entrepreneurs as agents of change were the main themes of a presentation made by Regional Director for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness at the auditorium of the Ponta Delgada Public Library on Thursday.

Arnaldo Machado, who spoke before an audience of secondary school students, took the opportunity to inform participants about the entrepreneurship support measures promoted by the Government of the Azores.

The Regional Director for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness focused on the Empreende Jovem Programme – System of Incentives for Entrepreneurship, not only mentioning the wide scope of this measure intended to support the funding for the establishment of companies owned by youngsters, but also the attractive rates of allocated support. He also pointed out the importance concerning the economic and financial feasibility of the projects applying for this support measure.

In addition, the Regional Director provided information on the Regional Entrepreneurship Competition (CRE), whose 6th edition will take place in 2011. This project is of particular importance to audience attending this event as it is intended to provide a “testing ground” for youngsters wishing to test their business ideas through the development of business plans which will be analysed and evaluated by a jury with proven business skills.

Arnaldo Machado concluded his speech by mentioning another regional support measure addressed Azorean entrepreneurs and companies: the Entrepreneurship Office (GE), a network that provides support and advice to those wishing to create their company or to those who, already being entrepreneurs, have some doubt concerning the company’s life cycle.

The meeting held on Thursday morning was promoted by the Regional Directorate for Youth and the Domingos Rebelo Secondary School in the context of the “Juventude em Movimento” (Youth in Motion) project.