The Government of the Azores wishes to deepen its relation “with the authorities of the places where Azorean emigrants reside in order to strengthen the already existing ties, but also to reinforce the economic relation with these communities, such as the case of the city of New Bedford in the state of Massachusetts, mentioned the Regional Secretary for the Economy this weekend.
Vasco Cordeiro conveyed the Regional Government’s wish to the Mayor of New Bedford, Scott Long, during a meeting that was also attended by the Chairman of the Agency for the Promotion of Investment in the Azores, Gualter Couto.
During the meeting, the Regional Secretary stressed “the strong ties between New Bedford and the Azores,” defending that “this is also the moment to deepen this relation because nowadays it is an issue that cannot be regarded in only one direction.”
Vasco Cordeiro reinforced “the existence of set of projects, at an economic level as well as at other levels, which may be developed between the Azores and the emigrant communities, thereby boosting the development of both parties.”
During this visit to the United States, on the occasion of the Holy Spirit Festivities in New England, Vasco Cordeiro also visited the Casa da Saudade – Immigrant Assistance Centre, where he met the head of the institution.
The Casa da Saudade – Immigrant Assistance Centre is dedicated to supporting the immigrant residing in the area of New Bedford and dealing with issues related to deportation. Its premises also house a Portuguese library addressed at the new generations descending from Portuguese immigrants, especially from the Azores.