Average payment period for suppliers continues to fall, whilst budget implementation improves compared with same period last year - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The average payment period to suppliers showed a further improvement in the first quarter of 2026, standing at 125 days. This figure represents an improvement on the 131 days registered in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the 140 days registered in the same period of 2025.

This is a useful positive sign in terms of financial management; indeed, as regards direct regional administration, the average payment period to suppliers remained at just 40 days.

There has also been an improvement in budget implementation compared with the same period last year. The Regional Government’s actual revenue stood at €356.6 million, representing an increase of €29.1 million compared with the same period in 2025. In turn, actual expenditure reached €473.3 million, corresponding to an increase of €20.6 million compared to March 2025.

It is important to note that, despite the growth in actual expenditure, this increase is lower than that recorded in actual revenue, indicating a more favourable trend in the budget balance.

The overall balance stood at -€103.7 million, representing an improvement compared with the same period in 2025, when a deficit of -€111.4 million was recorded. This development demonstrates a consistent effort towards fiscal consolidation, based on rigorous expenditure management and more efficient collection of public revenue.

Particular mention should also be made regarding the implementation rate of EU funds by the Azorean Government, whose revenue amounted to €45.6 million in March 2026, compared with just €13.4 million in the same period of 2025.

This development demonstrates a greater capacity to implement and use EU resources for the development of the Region.