The Vice-President of the Government conveyed his satisfaction with the submission of applications for projects supported under the Incentive Scheme for the Regional Development (SIDER) in 2013. The government official considered that "we have kept a rate that demonstrates the willingness of Azorean entrepreneurs in overcoming difficulties and making good use of the available support measures."

Sérgio Ávila revealed that "39 new investment projects were submitted in the month of December, corresponding to an investment of 33 million Euros and the possibility of creating 129 jobs."

Regarding these projects, the government official highlighted the project submitted by Enerteceira, Lda. for the cogeneration of thermal and electrical power from forest biomass in the amount of 11.1 million Euros; the project submitted by Charming Pico for the construction of a hotel unit in amount of 7.4 million Euros; and the project submitted by Algicel SA for the installation of astaxanthin production unit and a microalgae removal unit in the amount of 4.8 million Euros.

"These important projects represented a good closure for the year 2013, during which a total of 121 projects were submitted, which corresponds to 99 million Euros of potential investment and the future creation of 338 jobs," said Sérgio Ávila.

In 2013, entrepreneurs from all the islands submitted their projects. The highest number of projects came from the islands of S. Miguel (45), Terceira (29) and Pico (15).

The Vice-President of the Government welcomed "the fact that entrepreneurs from across the archipelago are being responsive to the Government's efforts towards the promotion of a series of measures to fight unemployment and support investment."

"This response evidences the will to win and confidence in the future. It is also a sign that we are on the right track and that private investors are playing an extremely important in the efforts we are all making to resume, as quick as possible, the development rate of the Azores," stressed Sérgio Ávila.