Programme to Support Restaurants and Hotels in the Purchase of Regional Products yielded sales of 2.5 million Euros in 2014, revealed Sérgio Ávila
The Vice-President of the Government revealed today that the sales of regional products under the Programme to Support Restaurants and Hotels in the Purchase of Regional Products increased 300 percent in 2014.
Sérgio Ávila stated the sales amounted to 2.5 million Euros, which he considered to be as "very positive" outcome of the programme. In this context, the government official reminded that it was created "to the stimulate consumption" of regional products and, subsequently, the economic return of all operators involved the production and marketing of these products."
The Vice-President spoke at a joint press conference with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores for the presentation of the 2015 Plan for Fairs and Missions and the Catalogue of Azorean Products. He also revealed that "the companies that took part in the 2014 Plan for Fairs and Missions registered last year an overall increase of 7.3 percent in exports, representing a growth of 12 million Euros in sales volume."
For Sérgio Ávila, this is a "clear evidence of the added value generated by this strategy in supporting the penetration of our companies in external markets, in addition to being an stimulus for us to continue this path."
"We believe that the Annual Plan for Fairs and Missions is an investment that meets the needs of Azorean companies. Its implementation will undoubtedly contribute to the effective promotion of exports and, consequently, to an increase of the competitiveness and productivity of the Azorean business sector," said the government official.
According to the Vice-President of the Government, the timber and real estate sectors were also included in the plan. The strategy for 2015 will comprise Europe and North America as the main external target markets.
Sérgio Ávila revealed that the Government will support the participation of Azorean companies in 15 promotional events in order to disseminate the "Azores Brand" as a sign of quality and undeniable importance for bringing added value to Azorean products and services.
Similarly, there will be business trips to Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP). In turn, the Government will bring to the archipelago various national and international importers as well as potential investors and entrepreneurs that may be interested in regional products and services.
In his speech, Sérgio Ávila also announced the launch of the Catalogue of Azorean Products, which he described as "important tool to promote the best that is made in the Azores," and a series of measures designed to support exports."
Currently, the Catalogue of Azorean products features 59 companies and a total of 800 products. However, the Vice-President noted "that are more companies and products in the Azores than those listed in the catalogue," challenging other entrepreneurs to do so.
Sérgio Ávila stressed "the partnership that was established once again with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores" and reiterated the Government's belief in "the willingness and desire of Azorean economic agents.
"We have evidence that temporary difficulties are not enough to break the entrepreneurial desire the Azores have shown nationwide," emphasised the government official. According to recent data, "the Azores continue to register an opening rate of 4.1 companies for each company that closed down, being the best ratio nationwide."
"The dynamics and tenacity demonstrated by the Azorean business sector make us believe that we will overcome the challenges we are facing and that success is within reach," said the Vice-President of the Government.