Artur Lima highlights the Azores' ability to attract significant foreign investment - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, emphasised the Azores' ability to establish themselves on the European and international scene as a region capable of attracting significant foreign investment.

The archipelago is positioned ‘as a recognised centre for high-level research and favourable investment in the Atlantic Ocean," he stressed on the occasion of the three-day official visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang.

The visit by the Chinese Embassy in Portugal, accompanied by a trade delegation, represented an opportunity to "show exactly what we are and what we have" in coordination with the Azores' business, agricultural, scientific and technological fabric, stressed Artur Lima.

The meetings held in this context resulted in new possibilities for attracting foreign investment and "opportunities for exporting Azorean products to China," he pointed out.

The Vice-Presidency organised the official visit through its Investment Services Department. On São Miguel Island, Ambassador Zhao Bentang and the 12 entrepreneurs present met with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada and the Azores Agricultural Federation. They also visited the Azores Manufacturing Centre.  On the second day, the Ambassador visited the University of the Azores, during the business delegation's visit to the Nonagon Park. On the third day, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo welcomed the Chinese mission, followed by a visit to the company Fruter-Açores.

This official visit was a major opportunity to demonstrate the Region's unique strengths. The parties explored business prospects in various areas, such as dairy production and its derivatives, aquaculture and science.

In this regard, Artur Lima pointed out the commitment and "substantial investment in the Azores' scientific and technological development" in a global context of permanent innovation.

The Vice-President of the Regional Government mentioned the importance of the University of the Azores in the current strategy. According to him, it is "a foundational institution for the Region's integrated and sustainable growth, and also a key pillar in the international projection of the Azores."

Regarding the possibilities for cooperation with China, the Vice-President of the Government stressed that the Region "always welcomes those who want to help the Azores and those who want to help our economy."

As such, he challenged Azorean entrepreneurs to maximise the opportunities presented by this business visit. The aim is for this "first step" in establishing trade relations to open up "other markets to our economy," concluded Artur Lima.

This is the third visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang, to the Azores. Following the talks with the Ambassador, the possibility of twinning between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Province of Shandong, a Chinese centre of agricultural activity and marine economy, was addressed.

The Regional Government was also invited to visit China in the future. ‘We will harness any opportunity to invest, attract investment and boost the Azorean economy," stated the Vice-President of the Government.