The Azorean Government announced today the approval of the project developed by the NSR society - North Shore Resorts, Inc. for the construction of a tourist resort on Santa Bárbara beach, Ribeira Grande, representing an investment of five million Euros.

The information was provided by the Regional Secretary of the Presidency, who said that this is a national and international investment and is expected to create 18 full-time jobs.

According to André Bradford, the project, approved by the Council of the Government, estimates the construction of 40 villas with about two hundred beds and restaurant areas. This project aims to provide tourists with accommodation for leisure and tourism activities that promote the Region in the organisation of internationally relevant events, especially those related to water sports, such as the "Azores Islands Pro" or the World Bodyboard Championship.

At the last meeting, the Council of the Government has also decided to allocate the sum of nine million Euros to the signing of contracts-programme with non-profit organisations for the implementation of public interest projects in various areas, such as tourist promotion and animation, creation of a structured tourist animation offer, qualification of the Region's tourism offer and the support to the conduction of studies and monitoring of the Azores' tourism sector.

According to André Bradford, this tool "is of crucial importance" in the strategy developed by the Government to establish partnerships for the promotion of the Azores Destination "as a way of reducing the effects of the expected downturn in the domestic market, due to the adoption of austerity measures by the National Government."
 
The Council of the Government also decided to extend the application for the Business Qualification Programme to the companies from all economic activity sectors. Established in 2009, this measure was created with the purpose of qualifying workers on layoff during the periods of low economic activity.

For the Regional Secretary of the Presidency, the "good performance" of the programme and the "current situation" has justified the Government's decision to extend its scope and "make some improvements, either in the eligibility of companies that may benefit from this initiative or in the organisation of training, recognition and skill validation courses under the Valorizar Network."