The Regional Secretary for the Economy defended on São Jorge that regional entities need "to further promote the creation of jobs support economic development, entrepreneurship and the establishment of new companies."
These measures aim to bring added "value to the Azores, promote the training of youngsters as well as the creation of attractive living conditions to encourage youngsters to work in the Azores and raise their families here. We intend that all Azoreans may look upon the Azores as a Region with future. "
 
Vasco Cordeiro spoke today at the opening ceremony of the new Clube Naval das Velas building, an investment of 400 thousand Euros that provides this institution with conditions of excellence for the development of their activities.

One of the aspects that should enhance the strategic investment of public institutions is reflected "on the importance we attach to the Sea not only for its role in a sports and cultural context, but also for the potentiality of becoming an economic development hub capable of generating new business opportunities and jobs in the archipelago," stressed the government official.

"With this strategy that is visible throughout the archipelago, especially on smaller islands, we have reinforced the support to maritime activities, either by implementing recreational boating centres and building support infrastructures or by creating incentive schemes to support our businesspeople, particularly youngsters seeking to bring added value to their islands."

The Regional Secretary for the Economy ensured that the results "are clearly visible, much to the dismay of some who try to discredit them." For example, "there are currently 103 maritime tourism operators and nearly 170 registered vessels in the Azores, representing a total turnover of about 3 million Euros. This sector has boosted the creation of jobs in the Region with over registered 300 professionals."

For Vasco Cordeiro, "it is indisputable that this development is the result of entrepreneurial force of the Azorean people. However, it is also important to highlight the importance of the existing support system that provides financial assistance to the initiative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Azorean people."

"One should notice that of half a million Euros of support funds granted by the Youth Entrepreneurship programme to projects developed in the area of maritime tourism, nearly 43% correspond to the initiatives developed by young entrepreneurs from São Jorge and 78% concern projects implemented here on the "Triangle" islands (Pico, Faial, São Jorge). These figures evidence the dynamics of this particular incentive system on the island of S. Jorge."
 
The new building of the Clube Naval das Velas provides this institutions with all the necessary conditions to carry out its training and sailing activities, the latter being the club's traditional activity. Currently, there are about twenty youngsters practising sailing.

Moreover, the club will now have a room fitted for seafarer training within a new training infrastructure that bestows the dignity of an institution which, with its effort, dedication and high professionalism, has acquired the necessary certification from the national maritime authority, IPTM, to teach the sailor and coastal licence courses.