The European Commission earlier this week released details of how EUR450m
will be spent in order to improve Madeira's regional competitiveness
and create more employment opportunities in the jurisdiction.
On October 5, 2007 the European Commission approved an Operational Programme
for the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portugal) for 2007-2013. The Operational
Programme comes under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective
and has a total budget of about EUR450m. The financing provided by the European
Union under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some EUR321m,
representing about 1.5% of Community aid to Portugal as part of the cohesion
policy for 2007-2013.
The Operation Programme aims to ensure economic growth and employment by means
of actions intended at a regional level to develop innovation and enterprise.
The programme also seeks to ensure sustainable development through
the provision of transport infrastructure and easier access to goods and services,
whilst maintaining Madeira's cultural heritage and environment.
According to the EC, the budget will be broken down as follows:
- Innovation, technological development - 9.7%
The investment proposed for this priority targets the development of the information
society, as well as actions intended to stimulate research and innovation among
firms and to make new technologies more readily available. The modernisation
of public administration management systems is also planned.
- Competitiveness of the regional economic basis - 13.7%
The investment under this priority targets the diversification and modernisation
of small and medium-sized enterprises and the dissemination of information
and communication technologies in order to give a new boost to the competitiveness
of firms. The actions to be co-financed will also be aimed at the internationalisation
of firms, especially by providing platforms for cooperation with external partners.
- Sustainable development - 19.8%
The aim of this priority is to encourage better environmental management, particularly
in the treatment of waste and waste water. In addition, actions are planned
to protect nature and biodiversity and to exploit water resources.
- Regional cohesion and governance - 25.5%
The aims of the actions under this priority are to restore urban areas, complete
the regional road network and provide public amenities for culture and recreation.
This priority covers actions to improve and modernise the public administration
management system.
- Compensation for the outermost regions' additional costs - 29.5%
This priority will provide compensation for the additional costs incurred by
public and private enterprises because of remoteness, especially in the field
of transport.
- Technical assistance - 1.7%
Technical assistance is planned for the implementation of the programme. The
funding may be used to manage and monitor the Operational Programme.
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