CCDR and AMAL want Central Hospital and support to Algarve companies in the PRR

Entities made their contribution during the public discussion of the Recovery and Resilience Plan

The construction of the new Central University Hospital of the Algarve and a capitalization program for the Algarve's companies, namely those in the tourism and cultural and creative sectors, are measures that both the Algarve's Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) and AMAL – The Algarve Intermunicipal Community want to be enrolled in the Recovery and Resilience Plan, whose public consultation period ended yesterday, 1 March.

The two entities made public their contributions to this discussion and the suggestions for changing the plan they made.

In this field, CCDR Algarve was the most demanding, with more than a dozen and a half suggestions for the inclusion of works or programs in the plan.

The first is related to the Central University Hospital of the Algarve (component 1, “Health”), which is seen by the CCDR as “a decisive equipment for the consolidation of a strategic sector for the region – that of health and well-being -, as it enhances regional competitiveness and ensures, locally, functions of qualification and territorial attraction, investment, qualified employment and social cohesion».

This entity argues that "it is important to assess the degree of maturity of this strategic investment for the region, namely the public-private partnership for construction, in this case ensuring, in the context of PRR, the financing of the equipment".

"Alternatively, it is necessary to find, in the scope of the State Budget and in PT 2030, co-financing for the steps that make it possible to achieve this desideratum of regional and national interest".

AMAL also defends the construction of the Central University Hospital of the Algarve, which they say constitutes, «for several years, the main demand of the region, as it is the greatest need felt by its population».

The entity that brings together the 16 Chambers of the Algarve also defends that this equipment is «decisive for the Recovery and Resilience of the Region».

 

Hospitals - File Image

 

Another common point between AMAL and CCDR contributions is the need to support companies.

The local authorities are asked to include in the PRR a “Business Recapitalization Program of the Algarve”, with an associated amount of 200 million euros, whose objective would be to “inject immediate liquidity into companies, with a view to saving the most important , with a view to its modernization and productive transformation».

The CCDR particularises the support it wants to see data and suggests, on the one hand, "a specific program for the capitalization of tourist companies in the Algarve, in connection with the Banco de Fomento, as well as the reinforcement of tourism promotion", and, on the other, a “specific program to support cultural and creative industries, in close articulation with quality and differentiating territorial assets”.

The proposals of the two entities also coincide in the reference to investments in the area of ​​the Economy of the Sea, as well as the dynamization of the interior of the region.

AMAL considers that the creation of the “Cluster do Mar do Algarve” program is justified, which would allow the progress of “several differentiating projects in this field” that have already been identified.

«We are talking about the cruise port of Portimão, the removal of silt from Arade to Silves, the commercial port of Faro, the marina of Tavira, small fishing ports on the Costa Vicentina, the natural coral park project to the south of Lagoa, Armação de Pera and Albufeira, and marine research components, such as the services and technology center in area of ​​the sea, associated with the Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR) of the University of Algarve, among others».

«It is estimated that 120 million euros could be allocated from the PRR to this project», consider the Algarve's mayors.

The CCDR, for its part, speaks of the cruise terminal and port of Portimão, which is “of increased strategic importance in the short term, with the reintroduction and consolidation of the maritime connection with Madeira and Morocco and, in the medium term, as factor boosting the tourism sector, and new investments in ship repair», as well as the removal of sediment from the Arade River to Silves.

With regard to the Landscape Transformation Plan for Vulnerable Forest Territories, «it is recommended that the planned interventions for the Monchique mountains be extended to the entire Serra do Caldeirão, namely to the municipalities of Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira. , in the municipalities of Monchique and Silves, given their contiguity and the urgency of integrated preservation», defends the CCDR of the Algarve, a position in every way similar to that of AMAL.

“In this territory, an integrated vision for territorial mobility should be reinforced through the EN 124 requalification, a structural longitudinal way to enhance the mountain territory. The Algarvensis Geopark project, which involves the municipalities of Silves, Albufeira and Loulé, is also assumed as a structuring factor for the transformation and competitiveness of the interior territory, valuing environmental assets and resources that are determinant in the Algarve's landscape», also defended the Algarve CCDR.

 

Serra do Caldeirão – Archive Image

 

From the CCDR side, more suggestions are made, in different components of the plan.

In component 5, "Investment and Innovation", this entity suggests a commitment to Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), «enhancing the development of knowledge in health, well-being and life sciences and its transfer to the market, generating sectorial multiplier effects».

On the other hand, it asks for "reinforcement and consolidation" of projects such as the Digital Innovation Hub and the Maritime Services and Technologies Center, associated with the Marine Science Center (CCMAR)”, “as well as with CIMA and CHANGE, which integrates the MED Unit in the area of ​​Environment, Agriculture and Global Change”.

In component 7, “Infrastructures”, in addition to investments in the port of Portimão and the Arade river, the coordination committee “requests the structuring, dynamization and promotion of business reception areas (AAE), in line with the areas of specialization of the regional RIS3', but also the 'requalification and integrated planning of the EN125'.

«Within the Missing Links and Increased capacity of the Network, the Olhão Variant on the EN125 should be highlighted, to which must be added the requalification and integrated development of the EN125 between Olhão and Vila Real de Santo António», defends the entity.

The requalification of EN2 between Faro and São Brás de Alportel, and «the survey and mapping of the missing links to the areas of business reception in the region» are also suggested.

In the field of "Sustainable Mobility", component 10, the CCDR requests the inclusion in the plan of the railway connection of the International Airport of Faro to the Algarve Line and the «development of the study of the link between the Algarve and Andalusia».

«These are structuring investments to affirm regional competitiveness and its positioning, both in the country and in Europe, overcoming, on the one hand, a problem of modal and functional articulation in the region, and on the other, in the clear absence of a node of strategic articulation between the trans-European, Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors”, he adds.

On the other hand, it defends the renewal of the southern line, in the Torre Vã – Tunes section, and the acquisition of railway rolling stock and sustainable mobility.

 

Railroad - File Image

 

The Algarve CCDR has not forgotten the "Energy Efficiency in Buildings" (component 13), which considers the Regional Energy Strategy 2030 and "the operationalization of actions leading to energy transition", in addition to improving energy efficiency in local government buildings .

The same entity concludes its contribution to the PRR with suggestions in component 16, “Companies 4.0”, asking for the “catalyzing of the digital transition of companies”, the “digitalization in Public Administration” and the “digital transition applied to active and healthy life ».

«On the other hand, in terms of territorial cohesion, the persistence of deficient coverage rates at the level of the Internet, especially outside the main urban centers of the region, poses the challenge of accelerating digital connectivity through optical fiber, providing opportunities for attraction and fixation population, investment and employment. The PRR must contemplate the eligibility of this structuring investment for the connectivity of the region», concludes the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission.

AMAL, for its part, argues that «the problem of housing in the region and the stranglehold it represents for its economic development justify the creation, in this component of the PRR, of a specific program “Reinforcing the Housing Supply supported in the Algarve”» .

«The support of its operationalization will be the Regional Housing Strategy, supported by the 16 Municipal Strategies, covering housing, social and affordable, and rehabilitation of buildings to be placed on the rental market», says the entity that brings together the Algarve authorities.

The estimated value for this program "would be 200 million euros".

 

 

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