Communiqué from the Council of the Government
Horta
The Council of the Government, which met on June 4, 2025, in the city of Horta, adopted the following measures:
1. Approve the Regional Implementing Decree amending the “Young Investor” programme.
This amendment adapts the “Young Investor” programme to the current social and economic reality, promoting greater efficiency in its implementation and strengthening support for young entrepreneurs in creating innovative and sustainable companies in the Region.
Integrated into Construir 2030, the "Young Investor" programme aims to boost the creation of companies by young Azoreans, with a focus on economic sectors with high growth and innovation potential.
This Regional Implementing Decree also introduces a revision of the criteria for eligible expenses and merit, making incentives more effective and tailored to the needs of projects.
The new regulations simplify the procedures for assessing job creation and make the conditions for participation more flexible, allowing minority participation by non-young people in the capital of companies, while promoting majority participation by young people through the application of a specific bonus.
Additionally, the achievement bonus will now be awarded at the end of the investment, recognising and valuing the creation of skilled jobs in the context of the projects developed.
With these amendments, the Regional Government further reinforces its commitment to innovation, youth entrepreneurship and the diversification of the regional economy, creating better conditions for young people to put into practice their business projects and contribute to the sustainable development of the Region.
2. Approve the authorisation to grant a guarantee to Portos dos Açores, S.A., in the amount of €10,684,920.57.
3. Approve the Resolution renewing the term of the free transfer of use of the land located in Areias, within the perimeter of Santa Maria Island Airport, to Agromariensecoop – Santa Maria Island Agricultural Producers' Cooperative.
The renewal of the transfer, for the free use of this land, is intended for the production of Santa Maria cantaloupe melons for a further period of 10 years.
4. Approve the Resolution authorising the Institute for Social Security of the Azores, IPRA, to grant the Parish Council of Almagreira the use of the building located in Brejo de Baixo, parish of Almagreira, municipality of Vila do Porto, for the pursuit of its respective duties and powers according to its activities.
5. Approve the Resolution authorising the signing of a contract-programme between the Region and the RAEGE Açores Association - Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations.
This contract-programme is intended for the effective implementation of the Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations in the Region, and the promotion of its scientific and technical activity in 2025, up to a maximum amount of €280,000.00.
6. Approve the Resolution authorising the sale of petrol and diesel containing additives in the Region.
By Resolution of 2016, the Government of the Azores approved the mechanisms for the sale of coloured and marked diesel in the Region.
Under this Resolution, the sale of 98 octane unleaded petrol was authorised on a free pricing regime.
It has been noted that petrol and diesel containing additives are sold on the national market and considered premium products, whereas such products are not currently available for sale to the public in the Region.
As such, the Government of the Azores now authorises the sale of such products in the Region, despite the fact that they are residual fuels, subjecting them to the free pricing regime.
7. Approve the Resolution authorising expenditure for the purchase of three fire vehicles for the aerodromes of Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa, with a base price of €3,300,000.00.
