The Regional Secretary for the Economy urged businesspeople in the traditional trade sector to use "the funds made available by the Incentive Scheme for the Regional Development of the Azores, particularly at the level of commercial urban projects. These support measures may provide a significant contribution for companies to overcome difficulties resulting from the national and international crisis. "

Vasco Cordeiro spoke today during the signing of a protocol with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores and its three associates (Ponta Delgada, Horta and Angra do Heroísmo) for the organisation of several promotional campaigns during 2012. The government official highlighted that "these support mechanisms have been recently subject to major changes in order to simplify their awarding and practical use."

Regarding the protocol signed today, the government official highlighted the fact that "there is a change in the methodology adopted until now, which focused on the organisation of traditional trade promotional campaigns during Christmas season.

Under the new strategy, various initiatives and measures will be developed throughout the years." Moreover, it "expands the number of promoters that can access these support measures. Previously only the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores had access to these funds, but now either this institution or any of its affiliates may benefit from the funds provided by the incentive scheme. "

The Regional Secretary for the Economy stressed the fact that the protocol also addresses EU funded projects, especially by Proconvergência programme. With "75 thousand Euros stipulated under the protocol, the Azorean Government will boost an investment to be carried out by Chambers of Commerce that might reach half a million Euros."

For Vasco Cordeiro, "the issue arising at this moment is not whether we are free from all the turmoil affecting our economy, but what we are doing to help our businesspeople to overcome this moment."

"In this regard, it should be noted that this project is developed in partnership with institutions representing businesspeople and traditional trade as they know better which initiatives should be developed to achieve the goals we have set.