The Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party questioned the Government about the criteria for locating the six major strategic business areas planned for the country, including one intended for the interior of the Alentejo. The deputies want clarification on the selection process, funding, and entities responsible for the decision, considering that the criteria that will govern the choice of locations have not been made public.
The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, had already confirmed to Alentrium.pt that the project to create a large business area in the interior Alentejo is assumed, but the definition of the specific location will depend on a technical study to be developed by the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development (CCDR) of the Alentejo. The official mentioned some factors that should weigh on the decision, such as accessibility, natural resources, terrain orography, water availability, and very high voltage electricity networks.
Seven Alentejo municipalities – Alandroal, Borba, Estremoz, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Sousel, and Vila Viçosa – advocate the installation of the large business area along the new Sines–Caia railway, on the Alandroal–Vila Viçosa axis. However, Castro Almeida refused to comment on any specific proposal before knowing the assessment of the CCDR Alentejo.
The socialists also question the role of the CCDRs and municipalities in the process, the total estimated investment amount, the funding sources, and the distribution of costs. The PS also asks what the objective reason is for the Algarve not being included in any of the six strategic business areas.