On Tuesday, in Angra do Heroísmo, the President of the Angra do Heroísmo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIAH), Marcos Couto, defended the need for “serious reflection on the direction of regional autonomy.” He considered that “several structural objectives have not been met,” namely, inter-island cohesion, transportation, poverty reduction, financial sustainability, and the institutional relationship between the Region and the Republic.

Marcos Couto’s words were spoken at the Business Dinner, an initiative promoted by the CCIAH on November 25, which included two moments of particular relevance for the institution and for the Autonomous Region of the Azores: the presentation of the José Inácio Cardoso Awards and the presence of presidential candidate António José Seguro as guest speaker at the event.

In his speech, the president of the CCIAH pointed out that the invitation to António José Seguro was formalized in November 2024, “long before he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Republic.” He also emphasized that Seguro’s immediate acceptance of the invitation, motivated by his close relationship with Terceira Island and the Azores, was the origin of the series of dinners with presidential candidates that the CCIAH has been promoting in the second half of this year.

In the presence of the special guest, the president of the CCIAH highlighted the Region’s strategic role, noting that its importance throughout history must be accompanied by a vision capable of driving economic development. Among the priorities identified, he mentioned expanding the Port of Praia da Vitória, creating an advanced customs post, and developing a strategy for the Lajes Base that enhances its economic, technological, and tourist value. “We are not asking for subsidies; we are asking for vision, strategy, and a future,” Marcos Couto emphasized. The Azores needs a President of the Republic who understands the archipelago’s specificities, but who also demands responsibility, merit, and good governance. We do not want autonomy of dependence, but independence of the future,” he said.

At the ceremony, the CCIAH honored two young students with the José Inácio Cardoso awards, in partnership with Caixa Económica da Misericórdia, for their exceptional performance in the 2019-2020 academic year. At the ceremony, the CCIAH honored two young students with the José Inácio Cardoso awards, in partnership with Caixa Económica da Misericórdia, for their exceptional performance in technical and higher education.

The winner in the technical-professional category, Carolina Giraldes, is from the island of São Jorge and, according to the president of the CCIAH, once again confirms “the quality, rigor, and excellent work of that school.” The higher education award was presented to João Pedro Alves, a medical graduate, who expressed his desire to return to the region after completing his training and to contribute his “competence, knowledge, and ambition” to the development of the Azores.

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.