The main business associations in the Algarve applauded the decision of AMAL – Algarve Intermunicipal Community to go to court, in an attempt to stop the process of prospecting and exploring for oil and gas in the Algarve, on land and at sea.
In a joint statement, six associations representing Algarve businesspeople reaffirmed "total opposition" to a possible exploitation of hydrocarbons and support the decision of the 16 Algarve municipalities, taken unanimously at an AMAL meeting.
The text sent to the editorial offices is signed by ACRAL (Association of Commerce and Services of the Algarve Region), ANJE (National Association of Young Entrepreneurs), AHETA (Association of Hotels and Touristic Enterprises of the Algarve), AHISA (Association of Hotel and Similar Industries of the Algarve), CEAL (Confederation of Entrepreneurs of the Algarve) and NERA (Business Association of the Algarve Region).
When taking a public position, these entities recall the reasons why they are opposed to an eventual exploitation of hydrocarbons. In addition to the "environmental factors", the region's economy must be taken into account, namely "the inevitable negative consequences for Tourism, the region's most important economic sector and Portugal's largest exporter, largely due to the decisive weight of the Algarve" .
«The Algarve business associations reaffirm their will to fight in this cause and once again add their voice to that of mayors, economic agents and the citizens of the Algarve in defense of the Economy, nature and the environmental balance of the Region», they conclude the six signatory entities.
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