Support programme for restaurants and hotels already subsidised sales of one million Euros in regional products
The Vice-President of the Government revealed that the Programme to Support Restaurants and Hotels in the Purchase of Regional Products (PARHAPR) "has surpassed" all expectations. In fact, "it has helped the Azorean production sector selling about one million Euros in regional products since its recent implementation."
Sérgio Ávila said "this result is, undoubtedly, extremely positive insofar as a total of 84 applications were approved under this initiative, representing the allocation of over 95 thousand Euros to support restaurants and hotels in the purchase of regional products."
"Since the implementation of the Programme to Support Restaurants and Hotels in the Purchase of Regional Products, over sixty Azorean companies have benefited from these support measures, which evidences the adherence of these important sectors of the regional economy," stressed the government official.
The Vice-President of the Government stressed that PARHAPR was created "not only to support the restaurant and hotel sectors, allowing companies to reduce costs, but also to boost regional production, encouraging the consumption of local products."
"The increasing use of regional products brings significant gains to the economy of each island and, therefore, to regional economy. In fact, it contributes to the assertion of the quality of our products as well as to the reduction of imports," said Sérgio Ávila.
The Programme to Support Restaurants and Hotels in the Purchase of Regional Products is intended to promote competitiveness and innovation in the Azorean restaurant and hotel sector by encouraging the use of regional products.
On the one hand, this measure aims to stimulate the regional production sector and, on the other hand, to boost the use of Azorean products in the preparation of regional dishes, without forgetting the investment in quality and innovation.
With this programme, restaurants and hotels may benefit from a financial support corresponding to 10% of the amount for the purchase of regional products.
In the case of regional products certified as Protected Geographical Indication - PGI," "Protected Designation of Origin - PDO," "Controlled Designation of Origin - CDO" or "Azores Handicrafts," this financial support is increased by 40%, thus increasing the rate of subsidisation to 14%.
This financial support measure cannot exceed the annual amount of five thousand Euros per establishment and fifteen thousand Euros per company.
This programme is open to all private companies and cooperatives in the hotel and restaurant sector or providing similar services.