The President of the Government stressed today the importance of boosting the construction sector in order to generate wealth and employment in the Region, announcing a series of measures that will contribute to the achievement of this goal, including legislative changes and the launch of contract works representing a public investment over five million Euros.

With regard to private investment, Vasco Cordeiro stressed a legislative initiative that has already been submitted to the Parliament to amend the support measures for the recovery of housing infested by termites. The amendment is intended to "extend its scope, allowing any house owner to apply to this support measure. This did not happen until now as it only allowed applicants who already owned houses at the date of entry into force of the legal document."

"With this amendment, we aim to enhance the capacity that this support system for the recovery of termite-infested houses might have in the revitalisation of the urban renewal sector," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government also highlighted the amendment to the energy certification scheme for buildings, which is currently under preparation. It is intended to adapt it to the regional reality by "streamlining some procedures that are not justified, taking into account our reality."
 
Moreover, Vasco Cordeiro also announced some changes to the incentive scheme on commercial urban planning with the aim of promoting the revitalisation of the construction sector. According to him, the amendment will "change the operating ratios of this incentive scheme, rendering it more attractive and flexible."

Vasco Cordeiro spoke at the end of a visit to the construction works of a five-star hotel unit located on the north coast of S. Miguel Island. The President of the Government emphasised that the Government of the Azores is taking measures to promote the revitalisation of the construction sector, not only in terms of private investment but also in terms of public investment.

"The Government will launch throughout this week several public contract works to be carried out on various islands, which represent a global investment over five million Euros. These contract works will also provide a new impetus to the regional construction sector," said Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, the government official pointed out the introduction of an amendment to the Regional Public Works Charter in order to adapt it to the financial allocations granted under the new Community Support Framework by 2020.

The President of the Government also revealed that, following the entry into force of new Community directives on public procurement, the Government is preparing an amendment to the public procurement code in the Azores.

As regards to the construction of the hotel project he visited today, the President of the Government considered that it represents "a major sign of confidence in our economy and in our tourism sector," recalling that this project was acknowledged as a Project of Regional Interest (PIR).
 
The future five-star hotel that is being built on the north coast of São Miguel will have more than one hundred rooms, a spa and outdoor spaces where tourists will be able to enjoy its privileged location by the sea.