The Regional Director for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness welcomed today the success of the "Azores Shop" in Lisbon. The government official stressed that this success is based on the "credibility, strength, experience and knowledge of the Azorean market and Azorean products, as demonstrated by the concessionaire running that space - Fábrica de Licores Eduardo Ferreira & Filhos.
 
Ricardo Medeiros spoke on behalf of the Vice-President of the Government at the ceremony marking the 1st anniversary of the "Azores Shop" in Lisbon and highlighted the effort the Regional Government has developed to boost the competitiveness of Azorean companies.
 
In this regard, he pointed out, as example, the reduction of the Special Consumption Tax applicable to liqueurs and spirits produced and consumed in the Azores to only 25 percent of the tax. The company in charge of managing the "Azores Shop" in Lisbon also benefits from this reduction.
 
On the other hand, as regards to the dissemination of Azorean products, the Regional Director stressed the development of the Azores Brand, stressing that "it has been a success, with the certification of more than 1,300 regional products."
 
"This brand, which is synonymous with quality, has contributed to the differentiation of products showcasing the most distinctive features of the Azores," said Ricardo Medeiros.
 
The promotion of regional production, developed through an annual plan of fairs, has been one of the Government's investments. According to Ricardo Medeiros, it "has registered significant results in strengthening the presence of Azorean products in the markets where regional companies already operate, also allowing access to new markets."
 
In his speech, the Regional Director for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness said "the Government of the Azores is and will remain committed to creating a stimulating environment for business efficiency. It will provide a wide range of tools that will increase the competitiveness of regional companies in order to foster sustainable development in the medium and long-term."