The deputy minister for Regional Development Miguel Poiares Maduro defended, in the Algarve, that the economic development of low-density territories should be made using traditional areas.
The transformation of aromatic plants, liquid salt and the shipbuilding industry are examples of innovation, among others that he had the opportunity to visit.
"To recover from regional asymmetries, promote economic and social development, and retain and attract people to low-density territories, there must be an economic valorization based on the resources that exist in these territories," said the minister.
And he added: "We have, over the decades, witnessed a growing asymmetry of development in our territory, loss of economic and social development, especially in low-density territories."
“This happened even in a context in which we had a very large increase, for example, in infrastructure and public facilities. In the next cycle of community funds, the focus will be above all on the competitiveness and internationalization of our economy," said the government official.
The itinerary started on Friday in Alcoutim, with visits to a solar energy project and a promising spin-off in the Industrial Zone, both beneficiaries of the QREN.
Then it continued on to Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim, Tavira, São Brás de Alportel, Faro and Loulé.
Nine Citizens' Spaces are already making progress in the Algarve
On Saturday, the minister presided, in Monchique, at the signing ceremony of the first nine protocols for the installation of the Citizen's Space in the Algarve, which will be created in Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Monchique, Portimão, Tavira and Vila do Bispo, which should start operating this year.
In these decentralized service spaces, which may have around 18 public services, it will be possible to deal with close to 80 issues, such as renewing the driver's license, delivering documentation to ADSE or changing the address on the citizen's card.
The minister guaranteed that "this reorganization concerns the attendance services and does not imply the closure of Finance departments, but rather the integration of services in the logic of a citizen's shop model."
Poiares Maduro announced that the public administration's service to citizens “will be improved” this month, with the entry into operation of a new computer application.
"It is an application to facilitate communication between citizens and public administration services, but its full functionalities, such as making appointments and requesting a password, will only work after the summer," he explained.
The computer application "will allow citizens, through the internet or telephone, to know more easily where they can go to deal with a certain matter with the public administration", he added, stressing that "this application will also indicate the probable waiting time , which will make it much more convenient for the citizen to deal with their affairs”.
Requalification of the Sagres Promontory: the 2nd phase is missing
In the municipality of Vila do Bispo, minister Poiares Maduro learned about the project for the Requalification and Enhancement of the Sagres Promontory.
In this context, the rehabilitation works of the walls and the execution of the scenic lighting of the Fortress of Sagres are underway, an intervention that will cost more than 635 euros. With the execution of this contract, the 1st phase of the Requalification and Enhancement of the Sagres Promontory program, started in 2009 will be completed.
The works to be carried out in this contract aim to restore the conservation conditions of the different elements that make up the Fortress. This work aims at «rehabilitating the coverings of the wall panels, preserving the front portal and the sundial, the rehabilitation of the exterior and interior coverings of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, the conservation of the cannons, the replacement of the carriages. support of the cannons, the rehabilitation of the pavement in the battery areas and the scenic lighting of the monument”, said Alexandra Gonçalves, regional director of Culture.
The Requalification and Enhancement of the Sagres Promontory, as part of a fund intervention that aims to take advantage of the multiple potential of the set, had an investment in the 1st phase of 3.999.399 euros and had the financial support of the Tourism Intervention Program (PIT) , Turismo de Portugal and the programs PIPITAL and QREN, by POAlgarve 21.
Adelino Soares, mayor of Vila do Bispo, appealed to the minister for the central government to successfully complete the execution of the 2nd phase of this project, valued at around 4 million euros.
The mayor stressed that this is "an extremely important work for the Sagres Fortress and for the region, as it is one of the most visited monuments in the country."
Poiares Maduro agreed, noting that only with these investments can the most disadvantaged and low-density territories be fought.
Bienal, Polis and Puro Algarve in Aljezur
On his second day of visit to the Algarve, minister Poiares Maduro also visited projects in Vila do Bispo and Aljezur. In this last county, Poiares Maduro learned about the various works underway and those already completed, promoted by the Polis Program in this county.
During the working lunch provided by the Municipality of Aljezur, at Praia da Arrifana (one of the ongoing projects worth 1,3 million euros), the projects “Pure Algarve” and “Bienal Turismo da Natureza do Algarve” were also presented. , which will take place in Aljezur from the 26th to the 28th of September at the Espaço Multiusos.
The visit revealed a particular concern for these territories and even included “positive discrimination” towards low densities, facts praised by the mayor of Aljezur José Amarelinho.
According to the Chamber of this county of Costa Vicentina, the minister "has also left good indicators for municipalities such as Aljezur, in terms of access to new funds", not least because he is "in the group of municipalities that have structurally consolidated management from a financial point of view".
The Aljezur City Council is delighted “with the visit and interest shown by the governor in the various areas of municipal activity, considering it very fruitful and positive”.
Visit to "flag strategic options"
In conclusion, Poiares Maduro underlined that “the purpose of the trip was to indicate some strategic options of the Government for the valorization and promotion of economic and social development in low density territories”.
“Always starting from existing human resources, natural resources, traditional activities, adding value, with knowledge, with innovation and new capacity to market and sell these products – it is for these areas that we will strongly support and direct the next European funds », added Miguel Poiares Maduro.
The minister referred that "the next Portugal 2020 community framework will be extremely important to achieve these goals." And he explained: «The Government intends to use these funds for the competitive transformation of the economy».
“We are going to contract results and the financing will depend on these. On the other hand, the support will be reimbursable, albeit at very low interest rates, while support in the area of professional training will depend on the employability rate, paid according to the employment that the trained people can obtain».
Updated at 16:38 pm, adding information about the visit to Sagres and Vila do Bispo.
Comments