The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced that the Government of the Azores will move forward with the recovery of the Manor, the Chapel and the Exhibition Pavilion of Quinta de São Lourenço on Faial, where another edition of the Rural World Meeting is taking place.
 
João Ponte pointed out that the Manor and Chapel are two 18th century buildings of "great architectural beauty." The Secretary added that the Government has already awarded the project design works to a local architecture office. In addition to preserving heritage, the intervention will also create a multipurpose space.
 
With regard to the rehabilitation of the existing pavilion located in the grounds of Faial Exhibition Park, the government official said it intends to provide this infrastructure with better conditions, adding that the intervention includes the full coverage of the building and the installation of a fire safety system.
 
"It is a matter of fulfilling an old claim of Faial islanders and continues the Government's effort to take good care of the regional heritage spread throughout the nine islands," said João Ponte, who spoke on Thursday at the opening of the Rural World Meeting.
 
In his speech, he considered that this event serves as a showcase for the "economic and trade dynamics of an island that is growing and we are pleased to see that happening."
 
The Secretary for Agriculture stressed the importance of "working together so that we can boost the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and, in a fair and balanced way, the income of all parties involved, from production to distribution."
 
João Ponte, who congratulated farmers, traders and exhibitors in general, stressed that their presence in this event is clearly demonstrates the importance and contribution that they all provide to the regional economy.
 
"This place has enormous potential for holding this type of events. I am sure that the Horta City Hall, with the Government's collaboration, will have all the conditions to organise an event of this size to be held on an annual basis and independent from the Azores Fair," said João Ponte.
 
The Rural World Meeting consists of an exhibition of agricultural activities that aims to promote the agricultural sector and reinforce the importance of agriculture has in the island's economy. The event is organised by Horta City Council of in partnership with several entities from Faial, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Horta, Horta Vocational Training School, Agrarian Development Service, Forestry Services, Faial Farmers' and Young Farmers' Association, AFAMA, Adeliaçor, Azores Geopark and Azorina, through Faial Natural Park.