The revision of the Incentive Scheme for the Regional Development of the Azores (SIDER) will correspond to "the enhancement of the export capacity of regional companies,” said the Regional Secretary for the Economy in Angra do Heroísmo on Thursday.

Vasco Cordeiro spoke at the end of a meeting with the Angra do Heroísmo Chamber of Commerce intended to make a formal presentation of the proposed revision of SIDER and assured the Government’s goal  “to create all conditions that enhance the capacity of our industries to increasingly become export industries,” therefore establishing the necessary conditions for their growth and development.”
 
According to the Regional Secretary for the Economy, the proposed amendments to SIDER “aim to adapt the needs of Azorean companies with the current context,” particularly with “a strategic vision regarding the development of our economy in order to increasingly reinforce the export sector.”

The Regional Secretary also stressed that the revision of SIDER “was initiated by the Government some time ago, whether in the context of an analysis carried out by the Regional Secretary for the Economy or in the context of several hearings to social partners, especially to the Regional Council of Incentives.”

According to Vasco Cordeiro, the meeting held on Thursday also allowed “to clarify the main goals of the revision of SIDER, particularly its implications in the strengthening of competitiveness of our companies as well as its capacity to create and maintain jobs.”

The Regional Secretary of Economy began a round of meetings with regional chambers of commerce and industry as well as with several other business entities on Wednesday to present the proposed revision of SIDER. In the context of these meetings, Vasco Cordeiro met with the board of the Angra do Heroísmo Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday morning, having met with the with the boards of the Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Azores Building Industry and Public Works Association (AICOPA), and the Hotel, Restaurant and Related Business Association of Portugal (AHRESP) on Wednesday.

On the following day, Vasco Cordeiro will meet with the Industrial and Commercial Association of the island of Pico (ACIP) in the village of Madalena and the Horta Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city of Horta.