The President of the Government announced that, after legal formalities are completed, the Government will launch the public tender for the second phase of the redevelopment works of Horta commercial port and the construction of a building to support maritime tourism activities, corresponding to a global investment of 20 million Euros.
 
"Having completed the formalities under the law, namely those concerning the revision of the project and environmental impact, we intend to move forward with the public tenders for these contract works," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The presentation of both investments was held in the context of the Government's working visit to Faial that began today. On the occasion, the President of the Government stated that this session intended to "symbolise the continuation of a political commitment to invest in the relations of Faial with the Sea by creating conditions so that it may increasingly become a factor of development of the island and the Region."
 
"These two components represent an overall investment of nearly 20 million Euros. Over the last eight years, about 44 million Euros have been invested in port infrastructures in the city of Horta," noted Vasco Cordeiro.
 
In his speech, the President of the Government also added that, regarding the redevelopment of the port, the technical solution achieved will double the marina's capacity, thus "responding to the international projection of Faial and the Azores."
 
As far as the new building for maritime-tourism activities is concerned, the planned investment is a response not only for the development of Faial, but also for the development of the Region.
 
"In 2013, there were 140 tourism companies (land and sea activities). This figure has grown 185 percent, with nearly 400 companies currently operating in the market," said the President of the Government.
 
"The investments presented today should be related to two other initiatives that are particularly important: the Azores Maritime School, whose works are in the final phase, and the Ocean Observatory, which is intended to be installed on Faial," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.
 
These investments fall within the strategy that "has been pursued by the Government. Nevertheless, there are still steps to be taken in order to turn the sea into one of the great vectors of development for the island of Faial and the Region," stressed the President of the Government.