The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stressed today that policies to encourage electric mobility and the qualification of tourism professionals are the priorities set out in the proposed 2020 Plan and Budget, which provides for an investment of 56 million Euros in these areas.
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke in Horta on the sidelines of the hearings at the Committees on Economic Affairs and on Parliamentary Affairs, Environment and Labour of the Legislative Assembly.
 
According to the government official, the current "tourism dynamics" entails "new and bigger challenges," being a sector that represents an investment of more than 33.5 million Euros. The increase of 4% in the financial allocation over the previous year demonstrates the Regional Government's investment in one of the sectors that has been “fundamental for economic development.”
 
For the Regional Secretary, “qualification is a priority area," which will be addressed through "the reinforcement of human resources training” and, in this regard, there are several planned actions. Moreover, the development of this area will focus on the "qualification, innovation and diversification” of products as well as on the investment in promotion through the reinforcement of actions directed to the main tourism markets.
 
In the Energy sector, the Regional Secretary noted the investment in electric mobility, highlighting the completion of the public network of 26 fast charging stations and the granting of financial incentives for the purchase of fully-electric vehicles.
 
The Regional Secretary stressed the investment of 2.5 million Euros in this area. It is “a fundamental pillar in the challenges of world agendas,” namely regarding the promotion of a low carbon economy and the mitigation of climate change impacts.
 
As for environmental policies, the government official pointed out nature conservation policies, as they represent the largest share of environmental investment, highlighting the implementation of three LIFE projects, which incorporate species and habitat recovery actions.
 
Marta Guerreiro also mentioned the focus on environmental quality, with special emphasis on waste, besides the actions to mitigate emissions and promote adaption to climate change.
 
According to government official, the investments provided for in the proposed 2020 Plan evidence, on the one hand, “the consolidation of important policies” throughout the legislative term in view of the current challenges faced by these key sectors. On the other hand, they are directed to an "action focused on the future of the Azores, based on energy transition, safeguarding of heritage, job creation and better quality of life for the Azoreans."