The President of the Government announced today an increase of eight percent in the Regional Plan for next year, which will comprise a overall public investment over 780 million Euros.

Vasco Cordeiro spoke after the meeting of the Regional Strategic Concertation Council, where he presented the draft proposal for the Plan and Budget for 2016 to social partners. The President of Government noted the increase of planned funding for the areas of Social Solidarity (20 percent), Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (17 percent), Fisheries and Aquaculture (14 percent), Education and Culture (11 percent), Tourism Development (07 percent) and Science (22 percent).

"One of the key goals of this document is the increase of employability in the Azores, which continues to be a strong investment of the Government, either through by creating conditions for the private sector to generate jobs or by strengthening the skills of Azoreans," said Vasco Cordeiro.

According to the President of the Government, social inclusion is another strategic goal of this proposed investment plan.

"In 2016, we will continue to pay special attention to the measures and investments that will contribute to the promotion of social inclusion in society," the government official stressed, emphasising the investment in territorial cohesion and regional identity.

Speaking to journalists, Vasco Cordeiro said this proposed plan is the last of the current legislative period and, despite being an annual document, it also allows us to look back on the path have followed over the last three years.

"I have no doubt in saying that this was a particularly demanding path for Azorean families and companies," considered Vasco Cordeiro. As he mentioned, "today we can see that the path and the strategy we have pursued yielded results for the benefit of families and companies.

"I remember that the unemployment rate, which registers 11.3 percent, is lower than that registered when the Government entered into office and is significantly lower than the highest figure that was recorded during this legislative period, which was 18 percent," stressed the President of the Government.

"Currently, there are more Azoreans with jobs as well as more public incentives for private investments. Indeed, today's situation is different from that in 2012, but we cannot neglect several issues that continue to deserve our attention and priority," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.