Discovering Europe
Key aim for the Algarve: decentralisation equals improved development
Interview with José Apolinário, President of the Faro Municipal Council
Faro. Tourism, the economic mainstay of the Algarve.
© Hegel Goutier
Algarve priorities
The current priority for the Algarve is preparing the framework for the launch of the 2007–2013 structural plan, and as we no longer qualify for the Objective 1 Region Category, we can no longer rely on support from the European Structural Fund. Because of this we need to involve the private sector in the creation of new funding for our initiatives.
Portugal's municipal authorities have had little in the way of power and influence, which has traditionally been concentrated in Lisbon. However, we are now in the process of developing decentralised systems. For example, here in the Algarve region we are keen on creating a practical structure for our 16 municipalities.
Another key is the regional framework on the development and planning strategies in the region for the period up to 2015.
The environment
Water quality is an important issue in view of the current drought conditions. A significant level of Structural Fund resources has been concentrated in recent years on building dams to ensure adequate water supplies for the region.
Equally important, however, is the organic farming industry, which is the region's key economic activity. Also, technological innovation is critical, but the level of investment in the new economy is still too low. Only two Portuguese regions, Lisbon and Porto, are the focus of the technological innovation drive, while the others tend to be overlooked when central government investment decisions are made.
Algarve's economic situation
Faro is the regional capital and the city's international airport is the key entry point. In recent years, low-cost flights from other European countries have helped to fuel the tourist industry.
The local economy is booming. The number of tourists visiting has increased (5 to 6% this year) with the main attractions being residential tourism, golfing holidays and, to a lesser extent, water sports. The region is heavily dependent on the tourist industry. Farming is a lot less important but more significant than the fishing industry. The tourist industry is geared not only to foreigners but also to the local population. Our tourism portfolio also includes activities focused on eco-tourism, sports and culture, while emphasising quality of life as much as possible.
Traffic congestion in Faro is a serious problem that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The city itself has a population of just 60,000 habitants, but the surrounding area brings the total to 300,000 and many people work in Faro or pass through the city on a daily basis.
Right now, our regional public transport system does not have enough capacity to cater for the present needs and we require our own transport authority, similar to what is available in Lisbon. Hopefully, as part of the government’s decentralisation process this situation will improve in the near future.
Immigrants
Purchasing power in the Algarve municipalities is average in comparison to other Portuguese regions. However, poverty is widespread among the unskilled and uneducated sections of the population and in the migrant communities. Portuguese-speaking people from Africa used to be the most vulnerable, but they are now better integrated and the main problem at present is with migrants from Eastern Europe.
The region's specific ties with the Portuguese-speaking African countries
Although Lisbon is the centre of formal ties with Mediterranean and African countries, here in the Algarve, thanks to the university and the municipalities, we have many twinning initiatives with cities in Morocco and other parts of Africa. This is especially with African cities where Portuguese is the official language. Additionally, our university has study centres specialising in the Mediterranean or Africa.
Several cities in the Algarve are heavily committed to forging cultural ties with Africa, and Faro holds an annual festival with large input from African artists, who also feature significantly in the many cultural activities organised throughout the year.
Tribute to Faro and Algarve
How do we differ from other European cities? I believe it is the light. It is a special kind of light and it has an influence on the city and its inhabitants, even if they do tend to complaint about it a lot! But it is unrivalled elsewhere. Also, the people of Faro always keep their doors open. It is an open town, with a social and cultural status that has always been extremely important. The Algarve is an open-minded region; it has a strong regional identity and a common approach to its problems and needs. Particularly (he laughs) when it is a question of arguing against Lisbon's centralist tendencies!
