The President of the Government of the Azores announced today an increase over seven percent in terms of planned public investment for next year, which will represent a global amount over 700 million Euros.

"Following the work that the Regional Government has developed and the consultation of social partners, we have decided to include a global public investment of over 700 million Euros in the proposed Plan for 2015," said Vasco Cordeiro to journalists.

The Council of the Government met today in Ponta Delgada to approve the draft proposal for the Investment Plan 2015, which will be submitted for approval of the Regional Strategic Concertation Council. Subsequently, the proposal will be sent to the Legislative Assembly for debate and approval.

After emphasising the increase of public investment on all islands, Vasco Cordeiro pointed out, as example, the Qualification of Azorean workers, which will be reinforced in about 10 million Euros. This sum will be invested not only in the renewal of the schools of Ribeira Grande, Calheta de S. Jorge, Canto da Maria and Arrifes, but also in educational projects developed under the fight against school failure and early drop-out.

Regarding the Competitiveness of Companies and Employment Generating Policies, the President announced that the Government Plan for 2015 provides an increase of approximately 12 million Euros in public funds specifically directed to this area.

According to Vasco Cordeiro, the Azorean Government also intends to reinforce the area of Social Solidarity in nearly 4.5 million Euros, while there is a planned reinforcement of three million Euros to Agriculture, despite the channelling of public resources resulting from the completion of important investments, such as the São Miguel Exhibition Pavilion.

As regards to the Promotion and Development of Tourism, the Government of the Azores aims to increase the financial allocation for this area in about four million Euros. The area of Science will have very significant growth, exceeding 70 percent.

"This is a plan that will lead the Region, as soon as possible, to the achievement of goals in many areas, including the competitiveness of our economy, qualification of the Azorean population and the combat to unemployment," said Vasco Cordeiro.