The PS parliamentary group in the Assembly of the Republic questioned the Government about the exclusion of the Algarve from the six strategic business areas it intends to create in the country. The socialist deputies requested clarification on the criteria that will determine the location of these new investment hubs.
The PS considered it "concerning" that six strategic business areas were announced "without the criteria that will govern the choice of locations having been made public". The party highlighted the importance of the Algarve for the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy, the attraction of investment and territorial cohesion.
On 10 July, the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, announced that the Government intends to create six large business areas in the country, two in the North, two in the Centre, one in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon and one in the interior of the Alentejo. Global Parks, a company belonging to AICEP, will be the developer of these areas, with the CCDRs responsible for deciding on the locations.
The PS wants to know the technical, territorial, environmental, logistical and infrastructural requirements that territories will have to meet, as well as the financing model, the total estimated investment amount and the distribution of costs between the State, local authorities and other entities. The party advocates that decisions should be based on public, objective criteria and with concern for territorial cohesion.
