The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, confirmed to Alentrium.pt, in Estremoz, that the Government will proceed with the creation of a Large Business Reception Area in the Interior of the Alentejo. The official stated that the project "is assumed" and "is to be carried forward," with the responsibility for developing the technical study that will support the decision on the location lying with the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development (CCDR) of Alentejo.
Seven municipalities - Alandroal, Borba, Estremoz, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Sousel and Vila Viçosa - jointly advocate for the installation of the future business area next to Technical Station No. 2, on the Alandroal-Vila Viçosa axis, of the new railway link of the South International Corridor. The proposal seeks to take advantage of the proximity to the Spanish border, the A6 motorway and the Port of Sines to receive larger-scale business and industrial investments.
Castro Almeida did not comment on the specific location, but made clear the technical criteria that should weigh on the decision: accessibility, natural resources, stability and orography of the land, water availability and existence of very high voltage electrical networks. The minister added that he will meet with the presidents of the CCDRs to define guidelines on identifying the most suitable locations.
The same seven municipalities also advocate for the creation of a rail freight loading and unloading terminal, accompanied by a logistics zone, next to the same Technical Station No. 2. Castro Almeida revealed having recently discussed the matter with the Minister of Infrastructure, emphasizing that this falls under that ministry's responsibility. The proposal aims to bring together the business area and the logistics terminal in the same territory, benefiting particularly the marble industry and the agro-industrial sector strongly established in the region.
