The President of the Government of the Azores highlighted the merit of the strategy developed to promote Azorean products. In 2017, it resulted in an increase of more than 8.5 percent in exports from the Region to third countries and also in a decrease of 9% in imports.
 
"This commitment to boost exports and reduce imports has been one of the Regional Government's main strategic lines of action. The data made public today clearly demonstrate that it is yielding results," said Vasco Cordeiro after visiting the Azores stand at SISAB PORTUGAL 2018 - International Trade Fair for Portuguese Food and Beverage, which is taking place in Lisbon.
 
"This represents an improvement of about 30 percent of the Region's international trade balance. Indeed, this is an important fact that, above all, demonstrates the effectiveness and results of the strategy that is being followed," said the President of the Government.
 
The increase in exports to third countries is also accompanied by an increase in the sale of the main Azorean products in Mainland Portugal.
 
"For example, the sale of dairy products grew more than 7% in Mainland Portugal in 2017," said the President of the Government.
 
During the visit to the Azores stand at SISAB, Vasco Cordeiro, who was accompanied by the Vice-President, Sérgio Ávila, also highlighted the importance of the Azores brand to strengthen the commercial activity of Azorean entrepreneurs.
 
"The surveys conducted also clearly show the importance of the Azores brand in the growth of business activity, registering an increase between 18 to 20 percent in sales," said the President of the Government.
 
Without ignoring or minimising the challenges that still exist, the Azorean Government considers these data as "very encouraging," said Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, he mentioned the development of the Azores Export 2018 Plan with the aim of increasing exports.
 
In addition to its presence in national events, such as SISAB, the Azores Export 2018, developed in partnership with the Society for Business Development of the Azores (SDEA) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, promotes the participation of regional companies in events to be held in the USA, Canada, Spain and France.
 
The Azores participate in SISAB 2018 with its own stand featuring thirty regional companies based on several islands that represent several sectors with export potential.
 
SISAB is considered as the largest business platform in the agri-food sector, bringing together in the same space more than 500 producers as well as more than 1,700 international buyers from 130 countries.