The President of the Government announced in Horta the creation of three new tools to reinforce the employment conditions of Azoreans and the stability of employment in regional private companies.
"First, we have the initiative "Promotion of Labour and Social Integration," which establishes the support to the workers integrated into the RECUPERAR, PROSA, SEI and BERÇO DE EMPREGO programme so that they may be hired by private entities," said Vasco Cordeiro. He spoke at the Legislative Assembly at the end of the discussion of the proposed plan and budget for 2017.
In his speech, the President of the Government also announced the creation of the initiative "Stability Permanent Labour." It will focus on the conversion of fixed-term contracts included in employability development programmes into permanent contracts of indefinite duration.
"We also have the measure to create a work experience that contributes to the integration of the Azoreans who complete the adult training programme into the labour market, especially the REATIVAR programme," said the President of the Government.
At the end of three days of parliamentary debate, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the priority of this "future work" is directed to economic growth and employment creation. We will mobilise a "very broad range of resources and measures to help the economy in its capacity to create jobs and generate wealth."
"Our challenge is no longer focused on employment creation, but rather to render employment safer and better paid," said the government official.
As for the promotion of conditions to boost entrepreneurship and innovation in the Azorean economy, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the Government intends to create an Azorean Network of Mentors. The latter is a mechanism of support and advice to entrepreneurs provided by certified professionals in several areas of activity that may help in the implementation of new business projects.
In addition, the Azorean Government will implement the so-called "Azores Incubation Valley." This initiative aims to support entrepreneurship and encourage the installation of municipal and regional companies in business incubators.
In addition to the investments to be made in terms of agricultural infrastructures (roads, water and electricity) and the global competitiveness of the sector, (Azores Brand, market access and promotion), Vasco Cordeiro assured that we pay special attention to the evolution of international markets in the dairy sector and the impact of this evolution in the price of milk paid to producers.
With regard to fisheries, he announced the beginning of "a pilot project in Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel Island, and in São Mateus, Teceira Island; the two are the major fishing communities in the Region."
"With the Valorizar Network, our goal is to implement a dual certification plan that allows will assure the training of fishers and the issuance of Seaman's Book," said the President of the Government. According to him, "there will be training activities for fishers and vessel owners in order to promote the recycling and updating of knowledge."
In terms of business activity and economic development of the Region, the Government is aware of the importance of EU funds and the fact that we are, roughly, at the middle of the current programming period of EU funds.
"Therefore, I consider that it is time to prepare the preparation of the negotiating positions of the Region as well as our approach to the goals and priorities of the new financial programming period at European level and, particularly, the future of the cohesion policy post 2020," said Vasco Cordeiro.
"I would like to announce that, during the second half of this year, we will promote meetings and invite political parties and social partners for the planning, preparation and participation of the Azores in the works to define the new Community Support Framework post 2020," added the President of the Government.
Vasco Cordeiro stressed, on the other hand, the importance of mobilising all the tools available to accomplish the goals of wealth generation and employment creation in the Region.
"One of these tools is the public business sector and, in particular, its ability to meet collective needs and contribute to the economic development of the Azores," said the President of the Government. He added that, during the current year, the Government will carry out a comprehensive process of analysis and evaluation of the Region's direct and indirect stake in the share capital of public companies in order to define their restructuring, according to public interest needs.