“Unsatisfactory” is the word chosen by AMAL (the Algarve Municipalities Association) to describe the government’s investment plan for the Algarve from 2014-2020.
According to the association, the Algarve is “strongly neglected” in the plan. In total, it will receive €131 million – only a fraction of the €6 billion investment package planned for the rest of the country.
If that is not bad enough, AMAL says the region is only expected to get 1.72% of any European funding included in the plan.
“The Algarve, as an internationally-recognised tourist destination it is, is undoubtedly worthy of more public investment, both in terms of infrastructures as well as strategic equipment in multiple sectors,” declared the association in a press release.
While AMAL President Jorge Botelho does acknowledge some worth in the plan developed by the government, he believes the Algarve “must have its funding increased in order to maintain its quality and competitiveness as a tourist destination”.
If this does not happen, Botelho fears that the region will not be able to “guarantee basic and essential services in a very near future”.
AMAL has already forwarded its views to the Secretary of State of Regional Development Manuel Castro Almeida.
Included in the plan is the construction of a rail link connecting Faro airport to the rest of the Algarve (€66 million), improvements to the Algarve line (€55 million) and to Portimão and Faro ports (€10 million).
Algarve MP Mendes Bota has already slammed the plan, saying a vital component missing is completion of renovation work promised years ago for the EN125 main road. The EN125 is the only road connecting the east and west of the region other than the tolled A22 Via do Infante motorway.
