Angra do Heroismo, Portugal, Aug. 25, 2026 (Lusa) - The head of the regional government of Portugal's Azores region has argued that the Terceira Island Science and Technology Park (Terinov), which has been expanded using funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), is vital for the region's internationalisation.
«Terinov is essential for the internationalisation of the Azores – through science, through knowledge, through technology, through technology parks and, in particular, through this technology park, Terinov – is vital so that, by means of internationalisation, we can attract business,» said the head of the Azorean government (PSD/CDS/PPM), José Manuel Bolieiro.
The minister was speaking on Monday in Angra do Heroísmo, on the island of Terceira, at the launch of the expansion works for Terinov, which opened its doors eight years ago and is home to 98 companies and organisations.
Bolieiro cited the example of a Canadian businessman, whose company is based at the São Miguel Science and Technology Park (Nonagon), who has expressed an intention to set up operations at Terinov as well, to reiterate that the park is «a decisive factor in internationalisation».
«Through Terinov, we have already participated in 13 international innovation and development projects, involving €16 million in international funding. This is, in effect, confirmation of the contribution the Azores make to the country in terms of the national profile of innovation and entrepreneurship,» he pointed out.
He emphasised that the Azores are building «a new cycle» of «autonomy of knowledge», in which science and technology «play a decisive role».
«The prosperity of our economy in the economy of the future will be ensured, with greater conviction and certainty, through science and technology. Political autonomy will be of greater value if it is achieved on the basis of the autonomy of knowledge», he stressed.
Without overlooking the importance of the primary sector and tourism in wealth creation, the minister argued that, with science and technology and the digital transition, «the value of the Azores and their economy in the future holds further potential».
«The Azores are not the residual land and demographic space that still often prevails in the minds of some. We are a significant entity – strategically, geopolitically and economically – already attracting investment and opportunities from the new economies linked to the digital transition the world is undergoing, which positions us (…) as key players in this future. That is why we are truly a laboratory for the future», he emphasised.
Inaugurated six years ago, Terinov opened its doors eight years ago and currently incubates 98 organisations (90 business-related and eight scientific), with a total of 338 users from 14 nationalities, including 25 PhD holders.
«This is significant. We are fostering entrepreneurship in research, science, technology, the digital sector and everything that science has to offer,» emphasised Bolieiro.
The new building, with eight new spaces, will be able to accommodate between eight and 16 companies, but Bolieiro mentioned the possibility of further expansion in the future.
The project, funded by the PRR to the tune of €2.1 million, was launched in January 2025, with a completion timeframe of one year.
Bolieiro reiterated his conviction that, by 31 August, the «few» PRR milestones and targets in the Azores that have yet to be met «will be achieved».
CYB/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
