The Vice-President of the Government of the Azores said today that "the Azorean people and Azorean companies can be assured" that "all measures" provided in the Agenda for Employment Creation and Business Competitiveness are being "implemented according to the estimated schedule."

"In the end of this process, Azorean companies will be provided with an extremely positive support framework for employment and the development of their activities, which will help them overcoming the existing adversities and the ones that are daily created outside the Region," stated Sérgio Ávila.

Speaking at the opening of the Business Support Office in Angra do Heroísmo, the Vice-President alluded to the decline in the number of registered unemployed in the Region for the second consecutive month "without euphoria, but with confidence." According to him, this trend is the result of the measures implemented by the Regional Government to fight unemployment.
 
"Obviously, there is still a long way to go," Sérgio Ávila said, adding that "what is happening in Mainland Portugal this week brings additional difficulties for companies, particularly in the functioning of markets."

The Business Support Office opened in Angra do Heroísmo today is a structure created under the Society for the Business Development of the Azores (SDEA); it consists of a space that provides specialised services to businesspeople and entrepreneurs on the island of Terceira.

This office is part of a network that covers all Azorean islands and it was created with the aim of disseminating all relevant information and support to companies throughout their life cycle. The offices will also provide advice to companies in order to streamline the access to support tools that are best suited for companies to overcome the constraints they face.

Sérgio Ávila stressed that "this is a support measure for companies throughout their life cycle and not just when they invest; it supports companies facing difficulties and adversities by providing them with information on all the support programmes for companies and employment creation."

This network of offices establishes "an interconnection with 22 regional administration services"; therefore, companies will no longer need to go to all administration services to collect information.

"It is a project that aims to create the conditions for companies by giving them the possibility of being informed, supported and advised in the same space, whether they are investing or facing difficulties to maintain their activity," stressed Sérgio Ávila.