The PS parliamentary group in the Assembly of the Republic criticized the absence of the Algarve from the locations where the Government intends to create six strategic business areas. In July, the executive announced the creation of two areas in the North, two in the Centre, one in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon, and one in the interior of the Alentejo, leaving the Algarve region out.
The Socialist MPs wanted to know what the objective reason was for this exclusion and what criteria were used in choosing the locations. The party considered it concerning that the Government announced the measure without having made public the criteria that would govern the selection of territories.
PS also requested information on the role of the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions (CCDRs) in the process, the involvement of municipalities and intermunicipal communities, the expected timeline, and the transparency mechanisms. The party argued that decisions should be based on public and previously defined criteria.
The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, justified the measure with the existence of international companies that want to invest in Portugal but choose other countries due to a lack of properly infrastructured land. Global Parks, a company belonging to AICEP, will be the promoter of the areas, with the CCDRs deciding on the locations and the Government finding financing for the works.
