Madeira Newstories from Madeira’s Diario de Noticias includes:

Contributions from Peter, thanks Peter:

From Peter in the comments section:

New Funchal Port quay tender cancelled

From the Diario:

“Cancelled tender for the new wharf in Funchal…The jury that reviewed the four proposals for the contract for construction of the new cruise pier in front of maritime security deposit of inert, created the source of Funchal quay, proposed in the Preliminary Report, not to award this work, since all competitors had higher values ​​than the base price set in the specifications.

The base price set for this contest stood at 15 million euros. But all competitors exceeded this value, violating the legal provisions laid out in Decree-Law n. º 18/2008, the legislation approving the code of public procurement, so that the jury decided to exclude all proposals, just inform APRAM in statement.”

link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/306837/madeira/306894-anulado-concurso-para-cais-de-cruzeiros

Again from Peter in the comments section:

The article on the Cruise ship “Independence Of The Seas’ leaving Funchal on Thursday and returning shortly to return 2 sick passengers a 3 year old child and an elderly person.

link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/306837/mar/306920-independence-teve-escala-atribulada-no-porto-do-funchal

http://www.dnoticias.pt/actualidade/economia/306835-doenca-subita-trouxe-independence-de-novo-ao-porto

From Paul:

Palm Tree disease continues

Local authorities such as Funchal City Council have been treating trees and some have had to be felled.

link to article:

http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/306837/madeira/306897-praga-do-escaravelho-ja-dizimou-400-palmeiras

Ribeiro Bonito Film: latest version

Events in Madeira this weekend include:

-Frida Kahlo tribute at Casa das Mudas Art Centre in Calheta (images below), including dancing and singing at 9pm Friday, 7pm Saturday

-Clarinet concert, admission free? of the CEHA by Conservatório students 21 horas, Friday night at The Centro de Estudos de História do Atlântico, Funchal.

Festa dos Compadres, Santana

International and National Portuguese stories include:

From Portugal Daily View:

“Portuguese exports are at their highest level for the last 15 years following an ‘excellent performance,’ Pedro Reis, President of the Portuguese Agency for External Investment and Trade, said Thursday.

Describing the results as challenging in terms of maintaining the pace of growth heading forwards, Reis said “the numbers were the highest for 15 years, 15% better than 2010 and beating the previous best year ever, 2008.”

“They show the resilience of both exports and exporters, who knew how to overcome austerity, the recession and the slowdown in export markets with Portugal even able to boost its rate of coverage with exports rising from 64% to 73% of imports,” the trade and investment czar affirmed based on statistics released Thursday by the Portuguese National Statistics Institute (INE).

Reis pointed to the consolidation in “levels of exports to non-EU markets surging by 25.9%”, with Angola leading the way, up 22%, but with good growth rates in China, Mozambique, Algeria and Japan, in addition to what he termed “good results” in Germany and France.

Reis also dismissed worries about the dip in December’s export figures pointing out that this was seasonal and that December 2011 returned better figures than the same month in 2010 in any case.

“Portuguese companies are gaining market share in the global marketplace..”

Speaking in Helsinki, Finland where President Aníbal Cavaco Silva is on an official visit, Reis concluded: “Portuguese companies are gaining market share in the global marketplace” and thus “deserved congratulations”.

Exports: external commerce: Portuguese footwear sector would seem very much to be leading the way

Above fashiontv | FTV.com – NELSON CAMACHO directs SUMMER SHOES PHOTOSHOOT of Miguel Vieira Summer Shoes Collection

Germany assured Portugal informally it is open to a renegotiation of the country’s bailout deal

From Portugal Daily View:

“Germany assured Portugal informally it is open to a renegotiation of the country’s bailout deal. The news surfaced after an indiscreet camera recorded a conversation between the Portuguese and German ministers of finance during the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 9 February.

“We will be ready to do it“, the German Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble told his Portuguese counterpart Vítor Gaspar during a private conversation . “That’s much appreciated”, answered the Portuguese official.”

link: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/

All images from the Diario unless otherwise stated

Extreme biking in Madeira

The Diario Newspaper reports on the large number of hits that these extreme biking films above and below are getting and how the sport is increasing in popularity in Madeira. There are many more on the ‘extremebiker’ Youtube channel. Adrenaline!

Best small hotel in Europe-Best small hotel in Portugal;

From the hotel’s official website:

The International Hotel Awards 2011 awarded the Bairro Alto Hotel with two prizes in the Best Small Hotel in Portugal and Best Small Hotel in Europe. The ceremony of the International Hotel Awards 2011, held jointly with Bloomberg Television, was held on the 18th of January at the London Savoy Hotel.
“It is with great pride that we receive these two awards that place the Bairro Alto Hotel in the same level as the best international hotels. It is not common for a Portuguese hotel to be considered the best in Europe. It is an international recognition of the excellent service and different offer featured by the Bairro Alto Hotel since its inauguration in 2005”, stated Marta Tavares da Silva, Administrator of the Bairro Alto Hotel…”

Madeira Newstories from Madeira’s Diario de Noticias includes:

15% increase in Madeira’s Port Fees

From the Diario and Peter in the comments section:

Image from the official Facebook pages of Madeira Tourism

This measure, according to officials in the sector, threatens tourism liner traffic and the local economy. Officials claim that Madeira is already one of the most expensive ports in Europe for fees.

Ribeira Bonito-Levada do Rei

All images from the Diario unless otherwise stated

International and National stories include:

The Wall Street Journal article:

Doubts about the strategy for resolving the euro-zone government debt crisis

“BRUSSELS—European policy makers have begun to worry about similarities between the Portuguese and Greek economies that they fear could derail Portugal’s €78 billion ($103 billion) bailout program.

That would raise further doubts about the strategy for resolving the euro-zone government debt crisis, which has centered on rapid cuts in budget deficits.

If Portugal’s program fails, it will add fuel to arguments that the medicine prescribed by Europe undermines growth and thus weakens governments’ ability to shoulder large debt burdens

“The Portuguese are more or less applying the tricks from the book given to them,” said one euro-zone official. “But maybe there’s a problem with the book.”

link to full article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203315804577205271392309222.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Events in Madeira in February 2012 include:

From official Madeira Tourism website:

15th to 22nd – Carnaval da Madeira: one of the best carnivals in Europe! | Funchal

The Carnival spirit returns to cheer up Funchal’s downtown between the 15th and the 22nd of February.
For a week, the season’s rhythms, called upon the sounds of marches and philharmonic bands, will turn
Funchal into a stage by Excellency, for an annual festivity that links perfection, joy, party, satire and
amusement, involving and arousing locals and visitors’ attention.
The great Carnival Parade, which brings together close to a thousand participants in a unique colour that
lightens up the main streets of Funchal, will be on the road on the 18th, a Saturday Night.
The holiday programme ends on Shrove Tuesday, on the 21st, with the “Slapstick Parade”, on which
hundreds of participants dishallow with their very own dynamic, humour and satire all together. All this
carnival merriment nds its way into the Town Hall Square, where, on the pinnacle of the occasion and in a
bashing climate, prizes are given to the most creative costumes.
Further information: www.visitmadeira.pt

12th to 13th – Compadres Feast | Santana

The ‘Festa dos Compadres’ marks the opening of the Carnival season in Madeira, a tradition going back to
more than 50 years, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Santana.
This is an event known for its originality, marked by its gigantic gures who roam the streets of this quiet
town located on the north of the Madeira island, in a parade full of humour, lots of colour and joy.
For more information: www.cm-santana.com

25th to 26th – XXI Custard Apple Regional Exibition| Faial, Santana

Above a film on Anonas, the custard apples!

This event is annually organized by the local municipality of Faial, paying tribute to one of its main
subtropical fruits grown on this part of the island – custard apple.
This is an occasion which gathers together some of islands producers in a homage to this delicious
subtropical fruit and its derivative products, such as liqueurs, puddings, ice creams and milkshakes.
The program for this event includes lots of entertainment, music and contests, in an environment very
similar to the traditional Madeiran´s popular feasts.

All images from the Diario unless otherwise stated

Events in Madeira this weekend include: Festa dos Compadres in Santana on Saturday and Sunday

link: http://www.dnoticias.pt/actualidade/madeira/305677-festa-dos-compadres-com-fim-de-semana-em-cheio

and Prazeres Gallery in Prazeres, Calheta: New exhibition inauguration Friday 7pm

Euro Windsurfing Championships in Madeira start 23 February 2012!

http://www.clubenavaldofunchal.com/files/Filer/RSx/Banner.jpg

link to official site: http://www.clubenavaldofunchal.com/Default.aspx?ID=401

More flights from Paris to Madeira Summer 2012

more details:

link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/305572/economia/305688-transavia-anuncia-mais-voos-directos-de-paris

Madeira advertised on Paris Metro system

link:

http://www.anam.pt/files/billeder/ANAM/Imagens%20Newsletter%20Aviao/campanha%20paris.bmp

Casa das Mudas Architect wins another international award

Funchal based architect Paulo David wins another international architecture award. Paulo David’s works includes the award-winning international art centre in Calheta, Madeira, images above.

link to Diario article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/actualidade/madeira/305707-paulo-david-conquista-medalha-internacional

images of Casa das Mudas from arch daily.com

Dia Nacional do Vigilante da Natureza: 3 February, 2012

PM: there are reasons to believe that Portugal will not need a new bailout

From Portugal Daily View:

Interview with weekly newspaper ‘Sol’

“The Portuguese prime minister repeated that the country will not need to tap international lenders for more money as it plans to comply with the bailout demands – even if the situation in Europe is sharply deteriorating..”

Austerity measures implemented by the government were not responsible for the empoverishment of the country

“The prime minister also stated that he considered that the austerity measures implemented by the government were not responsible for the empoverishment of the country. “We were already poor. The truth is there were people who had not yet realised this and continued to live as if they were no longer poor”, he told Sol. “They lived, not from what they had, but from the credit they were given“, the Portuguese prime minister stated…”

link: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/

European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn said Thursday 2 February Portugal was making “good progress” in implementing the external bailout package, particularly in terms of budgetary sustainability and competitiveness.

“Despite recent high costs of borrowing, Portugal is progressing well”, Rehn said.

Investors keener on lending to Portugal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRwNUcafkSw&feature=player_embedded

Portugal’s government sells 40 percent stake in REN-Redes Energeticas Nacionais SA (RENE) for 592 million euros ($779 million) to State Grid International of China and Oman Oil Co

From Bloomberg:

Portugal’s government agreed to sell a 40 percent stake in REN-Redes Energeticas Nacionais SA (RENE) for 592 million euros ($779 million) to State Grid International of China and Oman Oil Co. to meet the terms of a bailout accord.

The price values REN, Portugal’s power and gas grid operator, at about 150 million euros above its market value, Secretary of State for Treasury and Finance Maria Luis Albuquerque said today. REN shares rose 0.7 percent to close at 2.091 euros in Lisbon, giving it a value of 1.12 billion euros.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-02/portugal-agrees-to-sell-ren-stake-for-592-million-euros-1-.html

Armas article in Portugal News:

http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1150-7

Investors keener on lending to Portugal

All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Contributions to the blog

Thanks to Peter and Admin for contributions in the comments section recently. Besides comments. all readers can contribute relevant International, National, local Madeira News in the comments section whether its an event on the island or on the mainland with a Madeira connection or a business story.

Calheta region: attractions

Students of The Universidade da Madeira (UMa) have been making films on the course Multimedia Animation Class. Here is one that has been posted on Youtube.

Film notes:

“This video briefly show how we can enjoy this beautiful place…”

“Calheta offers a great variety of attractions. These include monuments and museums to visit, beautiful and quiet places to relax or make a picnic, awesome places and conditions to do various sports, and viewpoint’s with wonderful landscapes…”

TRANSAVIA BOOSTS FREQUENCY IN PORTUGAL

From routes online.com

Dutch carrier Transavia is to boost frequencies on its domestic Portuguese route between Porto and Funchal in Madeira to meet additional peak summer demand.

The airline launched the route last summer 2011 on a four times weekly basis supported by the Fund for Investment in Tourism Promotion and co-funded by ANAM, the Regional Secretariat of Tourism and Transport and other private sector partners in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

6 flights per week from April 2012

It increased its frequency to six flights per week from April this year. However, it now plans to introduce a seventh rotation between July 2 and August 27, with an additional Saturday flight. The route is also operated by TAP Portugal on an up to three times daily basis, but Transavia still carried more than 35,000 passengers during 2010, according to ANAM statistics, securing a 16 per cent share of the market. ANAM says Transavia is a key “strategic partner” for Madeira Airport.

Porto-Madeira route

“We welcome the introduction of an additional frequency on the route Porto-Madeira and we expect to increase the network of destinations with Transavia very soon,” it confirmed to The HUB.

source: http://www.routesonline.com/news/36/the-hub/112274/news-from-around-the-eurozone/

Tile game: Avenida Arriaga, Funchal

Portugal comfortably raised euro 1.5 billion ($1.97 billion) in a short-term debt auction Wednesday despite recent market jitters about its fiscal soundness

From CBS News: February 1st

link to full article: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57369425/portugal-easily-raises-$2-billion-in-new-debt/

Lunch suggestion:Espetada pau de louro

from official Facebook Pages of Madeira Tourism

Fado Galas start 24th February at discoteca Molhe, na Pontinha, Funchal

First of 5 galas start 24th February at discoteca Molhe, na Pontinha with ‘Mil euros para o vencedor’ 1000 euro prize for the winner. Official poster below.

All sources and images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

MTV Portugal casting in Madeira

MTV Portugal casting in Madeira with VJs including Diogo Dias, o primeiro VJ da MTV Portugal.

From dia 13 de Fevereiro, the ‘caça ao talento’ –the nationwide hunt for
talent will begin.

Madeira MTV castings: Fórum Madeira : 15 – 20 de Maio

The hunt will include Madeira with castings at Fórum Madeira.

Concert Tuesday evening 9pm Funchal salão nobre of City Hall

titled: ‘Cinco Ventos’ by The Madeira Wind Quintet of the OCM

Festa da Flor: 20 e 21 de Abril, Funchal, Madeira

Russian Ballet returning for Festa da Flor

Professional Russian ballet dancers of the The Mariinsky Ballet will return to Madeira in April 2012 to make 2 performances during the Festa da Flor after the success of their performances in Madeira over Xmas 2011 and New Year 2012

link to Diario article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/304938/5-sentidos/304983-ballet-russo-regressa-para-a-festa-da-flor

Volunteer work in Madeira; Young people to help pensioners; ‘GICO’ – Geração Imaculado em Companhia;

Inspired by the European Year of Intergenerational Dialogue a group of youths aged between 15 and 31 from different backgrounds all resident in the freguesia Imaculado Coração de Maria want to demonstrate that Volunteer work is one of the best ways to remedy problems caused by the financial crisis and reduce the loneliness and isolation of the third generation. In the freguesia 21,3% of the population are more than 65

‘GICO’ – Geração Imaculado em Companhia

The group which will be known as ‘GICO’ – Geração Imaculado em Companhia are planning to start in the Spring and add to other volunteer projects already existing that help remedy social problems caused by the financial crisis

link to article in the Diario: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/304938/madeira/304964-vinte-jovens-vao-combater-a-solidao-da-terceira-idade

St Valentines Coral beer

Portugal’s plight needs to be addressed within weeks rather than months

FT Tuesday article title:

Portuguese debt looms over Europe

Portugal’s plight needs to be addressed within weeks rather than months

“If it cannot return to bond markets next year, it will need a second infusion of emergency EU-IMF help.

António Saraiva, president of the CIP, the nation’s business confederation, estimates that Portugal will need an additional €30bn. But the big question is whether even this extra aid would avert a debt write-off.

The euro’s future may depend on the answer…”

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d2ab9c9a-4bfd-11e1-98dd-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1l2o6a1Hx

Mystery shopper

Dog surveillance

Recent ‘Flagrante’ sections of the Diario newspaper

All sources and images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Last sailing of Naviera Armas

Thanks for the photos from readers of the last sailing from Funchal unfortunately the blog software says they are too large to post so the image is from the Diario Newspaper.

image from frontpage of Diario Newspaper last weekend.

See comments on the termination of the ferry service in the comments section

Feud between President Cavaco Silva and the Prime Minister Passos Coelho

From Portuguese Daily View:

‘I’ Newspaper amongst other Portuguese newspapers reports on the feud
between President Cavaco Silva and the Prime Minister Passos Coelho

Frontcover of ‘I’ Newspaper Monday

“Expresso last Saturday published after some sources told the newspaper that
President Cavaco Silva is against some of Prime Minister Passos Coelho’s
measures to cut on expenditure, and fears the government will reduce the
public service and health to a bare minimum.”

From Portuguese Daily View:

Golden week for science made in Portugal

“Rita Marquilhas and Miguel Soares, two Portuguese academic researchers, won scholarships worth €4m from the European Research Council.”

Expresso Newspaper:

..Since 23 January ten scientists working in Portugal have won more than €6.6m in scholarships and prizes in the fields of natural and social sciences.

Sailing in Madeira: Transquadra 2012

From Madeira Tourism official Facebook pages

Transquadra 2012 Madeira: Départ en solitaire Madère Transquadra 2012, January 2012

Colégio Church Funchal Monday Concerts: 12.30pm

The “Voz Celeste” series of free concerts organised by the The Regional
Secretariat for Education and Culture (SREC) and the office of the Bishop of
Funchal and of course the staff at Colégio Church in Funchal City Square
presents another concert today Monday at 12.30pm.

image from Church official website

From official Madeira Tourism website:

“These concerts will take place at Colégio Church, between October 31st 2011 and
December 17th 2012, in total 45 concerts scheduled every Monday (except on the following dates February 20th, March 26th, April 2nd and 9th)
at 12:30 pm.

The program for each concert will include a piece by a Madeiran composer,
featuring students and teachers from the Arts Education Coordinator Group
(GCEA).”

For further information: http://www.igrejadocolegio.com/

The tradition of the ‘panelo’ in Seixal transformed into an arraial

link to image gallery: http://www.dnoticias.pt/multimedia/fotoreportagem/304882-tradicao-do-panelo-no-seixal

Mourinho

UK newspaper including the Sunday Times reporting José Mourinho is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season in order to take up a new job in the UK Premier League.

All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Again, thankyou for the contributions from Peter and other blog readers in the comments section on the termination of the Madeira-Portimão Sea Transport

Events this weekend some with free admission in Madeira include:

Saturday
-The GCEA dance group Kaleidoscope will present a show at 20h30, in The Centro Cultural John dos Passos at Ponta do Sol
-The Ensemble XXI of The Orquestra Clássica da Madeira present a concert at 9pm in The Salão Nobre da autarquia do Funchal

-Art exhibition at The Centro Cívico da Ponta do Pargo in Calheta region titled ‘Art West 3 -Islands and Men’ paintings by Ruben Freitas (Madeira) e Carlos Mota (Açores)
-The Madeira Mandolin Orchestra presents at 9 p.m. in the English Church, Funchal “Light Classics” by Vivaldi – Ketélbey – V Monti – Waldteufel and Franz Liszt.

Sunday
-Boot Sale in Funchal?

Madeira’s Financial Adjustment Programme

From Bloomberg BusinessWeek:

At a Press Conference broadcast by SIC Noticias TV station from Madeira on Friday evening Portugal Madeira’s Leader Alberto Joao Jardim said that the Portuguese Government will grant about 1.5 billion euros ($2 billion) in emergency aid to Madeira to help the semi-autonomous island region repay debt, Madeira

Jardim said “The sustainability of the region’s debt is guaranteed” and that the region will pay the same interest rate Portugal is paying for its international aid plan.

Under the so-called adjustment program, Jardim said that Madeira’s government will:
-increase VAT,
-cut public workers’ summer and Christmas salary payments,
-reduce the public workforce and
-sell state-owned companies to raise money, Jardim said.

Those steps mirror actions the national government is taking to meet the terms of its 78 billion-euro bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-27/madeira-to-receive-1-5-billion-euros-in-aid-from-portugal.html

From CNN:

“The archipelago will have 15 years to pay off the loan starting in 2016, Jardim said Friday.”

“The local government hopes to collect about $140 million in extra revenue this year, which means the bulk of the effort to pay back the aid will come from taxpayers…”

“The Lisbon-based government will transfer the 1.5 billion euros to Madeira until 2031..”

link: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/28/world/europe/portugal-madeira-funds/index.html

Churches of Madeira: Igreja de São Pedro, Saint Peter’s Church Funchal 1590-

“The construction of the Church began in 1590 and it was completed in 1743. The interior of the church is decorated with seventeenth century tiles which cover all nave walls, the main chapel and the sacristy. The other notable main decoration of this church are the paintings, gold and silver works and furniture from the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries.”

images from the official Facebook pages of Madeira Tourism

All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Thankyou for the contributions from Peter in the comments section on the termination of the Madeira-Portimão Sea Transport

Boot Sale Funchal Sunday?

Mercado de Agricultura Biológica, Largo da Restauração, Funchal, every Tuesday

71% of consumers classified the market as very good or excellent

An opinion poll Survey conducted by the Government, The Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais (SRARN), had the following findings:

consumers were:

“muito satisfeitos com o projecto. 71% dos inquiridos (num total de 137 compradores) classificam o Mercado de Agricultura Biológico como muito bom ou excelente e cerca de 62% considera que os produtos apresentam uma muito boa, ou excelente, relação preço/qualidade. 97% dos clientes fizeram uma apreciação global entre boa e excelente.”

Full article from the Diario Newspaper: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/304273/madeira/304322-consumidores-rendidos-ao-mercado-biologico

Free violin and clarinet concert at Centro de História do Atlântico, Funchal 9pm, Friday night performed by students of Madeira’s Conservatório

Near perfection doesn’t save Mourinho

From the BBC: “Barcelona survived a late fightback by Real Madrid to secure their passage through to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 4-3 aggregate win.”

From Portugal Daily View:

Mission impossible: to recover from a home game 1-2 deficit in Camp Nou… Or so it seemed. Real Madrid came out of the box swinging hard, stopping Barça’s tiki-taka and creating three clear chances to score. Madrid’s players seemed to be everywhere and recovered the ball quickly and high in the field. Everything was nearly perfect, going as planned. Well, all except for those pesky efforts which either hit the woodwork, went wide or Pinto stopped.

The problem of facing the best club in the world is that it usually has the best player in the world. As such, Messi pulled a moment of magic from his pocket, assisting Pedro Rodriguez (of whom no defender seemed to be aware of…) in what was the first dagger stuck into Madrid’s hopes. Out of nowhere Barcelona quashed any chances Real had to reach the semis and keep defending its Copa del Rey trophy.

Barely recovered from the goal, Real was already down by two just before the break. Dani Alves achieved perfection when his one-time shot was only stopped by the top corner of Casillas’ net. One of those moments which in itself is worth the price of admission to the best football match in the world. At half-time Real’s almost perfect performance resulted in a 0-2 deficit (1-4 on aggregate), and all Barcelona needed were two minutes… It’s tough to compete with absolute perfection.

Full article: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/01-whats-new/football-when-near-perfection-is-just-not-enough

Portugal’s airports busier in 2011

From Portugal News:

“Last year airport’s run by national Airport Management Company ANA saw a 6.7 percent rise in passenger figures, compared to 2010.

Overall, between January and December 2011, 27.6 million passengers passed through an ANA airport; 1.8 million more than during 2010.

Figures show a noticeable rise, of 9.9 percent, in the number of people travelling within the traditional sector. Market-wise, growth was noted from the UK, France and Spain.

National flag-carrier TAP showed a rise in passenger figures of 38.2 percent;
Irish low-cost airline Ryanair experienced growth of 13.7 percent, followed by easyJet, with 12.5 percent.

Together the three airlines make up nearly two thirds (64.4 percent) of ANA airports’ global traffic.

EasyJet, Europe’s second largest budget airline, says its quarterly revenue jumped thanks to things like more business travellers flying with it

Comparing December 2011 to the same month of the year before, ANA airport passenger traffic during the first showed a drop of 0.4 percent in relation to the latter.

The biggest boosts in figures came from France and Germany

Nationality-wise, the biggest boosts in figures came from France and Germany. ANA highlighted positive efforts from UK low-cost airline easyJet and German national airline Lufthansa.

Lisbon’s Portela Airport saw a growth in passengers of 1.1 percent, though Faro Airport (Algarve) and the Azores Airport, both managed by ANA, saw drops of 8.8 and 7.2 percent respectively.

Figures at Oporto’s Sá Carneiro Airport remained unchanged.

Lisbon Airport: exclusive family area

In related news, this week Lisbon Airport inaugurated an exclusive family area.

On Tuesday, 24 January, a space dedicated to families was opened in the airport’s departures area with the aim of making the experience of travelling with children a more comfortable and enjoyable one.

The area includes a microwave for heating food, a bottle warmer, food and hygiene product vending machines, games for children, and comfortable sofas.

It was inaugurated under the airport’s ‘Family Airport’ sub-brand, which aims to identify ANA airports as family-friendly infrastructures…”

http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1149-4

€37mn upgrade planned at Mitsubishi truck plant

From Portugal News:

“The Portuguese government declared an expansion plan at the Mitsubishi Fuso Truck Europe plant to be of “strategic interest”, offering incentives and opening the way for an investment of nearly €37 million by German owner Daimler.

MFTE plant at Tramagal in central Portugal will upgrade technical capacity and double work force to 675

Under the plan, the MFTE plant at Tramagal in central Portugal will upgrade technical capacity and more than double its work force to 675 to build a new model of the light CANTER truck, which is exported to more than 30 European markets. Officials estimated the upgrade and expansion will allow sales worth a total of €3.3 billion through 2020…”

All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Madeira-Portimão Sea Transport

The Commercial Director of Naviera Armas, Javier Jalvo Garcia comes to Madeira this Thursday to explain communications announcements that the Spanish company that runs the passenger ferry freight service between Madeira and Portimao is going to end the service and the reasons for the communications announcements.

link to Diario Newspaper article

http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/304068/economia/304178-decisao-da-armas-depende-de-aumento-do-frete

Telegraph article: ‘How to save money in Portugal’

“In these tough financial times, Portugal looks like a particularly attractive option for a summer holiday. It is cheap and easy to get to for independent travellers, and it offers some of the best-value package holidays in the eurozone. If you avoid touristy bars and restaurants and eat and drink with the locals instead, you can save even more.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/budgettravel/9040549/How-to-save-money-in-Portugal.html

Madeira’s Financial Assistance Programme

Madeira’s Leader agrees bailout conditions with Portugal’s Government

From Portugal Daily View:

“After several months of negotiations and a final five-hour long meeting, Alberto João Jardim, leader of the regional government, agreed with Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho and Minister of Finance Vítor Gaspar on the terms for a new loan for the island.

Madeira will be bailed out by the central government after a deal was signed Wednesday by the leader of the regional government with the same conditions of the Portuguese rescue loan.

The loan will have the same conditions of the rescue package signed by Portugal last May with the so-called troikaeven if Jardim insisted on more favourable terms for the repayment.

The bailout will mean consolidation efforts through the implementation of austerity measures in order to balance the island’s tight budget: this “tough” programme, according to Jardim, will imply, among other measures, an increase of VAT rates to 5%, 12% and 22% and the capping of public investment at €150m.

However, Thursday’s edition of Diário de Notícias reveals that the autonomous region could ask for a 2.5% slice of the revenue from the privatisation of state-owned airline TAP, postal services CTT and airport operator ANA, proportional to the island’s demographic weight.

link to full article:

http://www.portugaldailyview.com/01-whats-new/madeira-leader-agrees-bailout-conditions-with-portugals-government

The National Financial Assistance Programme for Madeira Region will be presented at a Press Conference on Thursday or Friday Afternoon in Funchal following a 5 hour meeting at São Bento, Lisboa between Pedro Passos Coelho and Alberto João Jardim last Wednesday.

Frida Kahlo tribute shows at Casa das Mudas Art Centre Calheta

O Centro das Artes Casa das Mudas in Calheta presents tribute shows at 9pm on Friday night and 7pm on Saturday night to Frida Kahlo

The performances are by post graduate students from The Ensino de Educação Visual e Tecnológica, do Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (Escola Superior da Educação)
link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/304068/5-sentidos/304163-frida-kahlo-inspira-espectaculo-de-alunos

Madeira’s natural pools are a great place for swimming, sunbathing, diving or simply to relax

From Official Tourism Facebook pages:

“Porto Moniz is well known for its open-air swimming pools, which are the result of the volcanic activity during Madeira Island’s formation, being mostly formed by reefs in the coastal lava rocks. Walkways and bridges connect the naturally formed rock pools.
These natural pools are a great place for swimming, sunbathing, diving or simply to relax. It’s constantly refreshed by the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic as the waves break against the rocks.”

Justice Minister pledges reforms

From Portugal Daily View

“Portuguese Justice Minister Paula Teixeira da Cruz has acknowledged that Portugal still has a justice system that operates differently for the rich and for the poor, but gave assurances that “the state of impunity (for some) is drawing to an end”.

Speaking at a debate Tuesday in Gaia, Cruz said there are “two systems when those with money can make a process go on for ever with appeals and incidents, while the poor cannot”.

The minister said the government was implementing new measures in order to bring judicial inequality to an end.

“We are eliminating delaying tactics and a statute of limitations after a certain stage in the process”, she said.

“We are beginning to see people being detained and arrested that seemed impossible 20 years ago”, she added…”

link: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/

Eusebio: the Black Panther turns 70

From Portugal Daily View

“One of football’s world legends turns seventy this Wednesday, and several personalities from the world of football have gathered to celebrate…”

“Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, a mythical figure in the history of national and international football is 70 years old today – seven decades intertwined with the history of Portuguese club Benfica, whose shirt he paid tribute to time and again with goals, titles and prizes.”

“After scoring nine goals for Portugal in the 1966 World Cup in the UK, Eusébio was crowned best player. Later that year, he also won the Ballon D’Or for best European player.

Today Eusébio will be opening birthday cards from around the world: FIFA president Joseph Blatter, and UEFA, Michel Platini, already sent their messages to the “Black Panther“. “May you continue honouring your club Benfica and your country Portugal. Thank you very much”, wrote Blatter.

Portuguese national team coach Paulo Bento, Portuguese player Luís Figo and the former internationals Pauleta and João Pinto also sent to King of Portuguese football their best wishes on his birthday…”

link: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/01-whats-new/eusebio-the-black-panther-turns-70

All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

From Peter in the comments section. Thanks Peter for all your contributions.

Armas to end ferry operation between Portimao and Funchal

from the dnoticias.pt…. Naviera ” .. The Naviera Armas this morning sent an information to its largest customers in Madeira announcing the end of its operations between this and southern autonomous region of Portugal. “Unless unforeseen last-minute changes, Naviera Armas place next weekend, last week his regular travel-Funchal-Funchal Portimao,” says the note sent by e-mail and signed by the director of online Javier Garcia. As the diaries reveal about two weeks, the company canarian was to examine the continuity of the line due to a number of difficulties in the operation. The note sent to clients does not reveal whether this abandonment includes the links between Madeira and the Canarie.”

Extra flights to Madeira in 2012 including Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff

From Easy Voyage:

“Atlantic Holidays has announced that it is to add several new flights to its Madeira schedule between May and October of this year. Currently flying to the island from a handful of major city airports, the company will add a total of 17 new flights from 10 new airports around the country, including Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

This year there will be an additional flight from the Northern Irish capital. Dino Toouli of Atlantic Holidays commented: “Having successfully operated a series of flights to Madeira from Belfast International in 2011, we had originally planned to operate 3 flights during 2012, however due to a strong demand for our holidays, we are delighted to have this opportunity to increase the programme by adding an additional departure on 9th July.”

link: http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/travel-headlines/atlantic-add-extra-madeira-flights-for-2012-7049

Ponta do Pargo Golf Course

Article on future of  Golf Course Development at Ponta do Pargo

http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/303661/economia/303769-buracos-financeiros-entalam-campo-de-golfe

images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Santana Madeira UNESCO biosphere reserve

“This new biosphere reserve is the first in the Madeira Archipelago. The site features a rich fauna and flora that incorporates a high degree of endemism.

Declaration Date: 2011
Surface Area: 15.218,04
Core area(s): 5.884,05; marine 1.708,45; terrestrial 4.175,60
Buffer zone(s): 707,67; marine 109,68; terrestrial 597,99
Transition area(s): 8.626,32; marine 3.845,93; terrestrial 4.780,39
Administrative authorities: Santana City Council
Latitude: 32º 46’ N; Longitude: 16º 54’ W

Ecological Characteristics

Madeira Island is characterized by having very steep relief and the coastal area is almost entirely composed of steep sea cliffs and some cliff deposits as a result of the retreat of the cliffs due to oceanic abrasion. In the center of the island there is a mountain massif composed of several mountains with altitudes above 1600 m, cut by numerous basaltic dykes and veins. In the eastern part of the massif, there is an extensive plateau with an average altitude of 1550 meters. The link between coastal and central mountain massif is made up of several hills and valleys, resulting from the water weathering of bedrock. This geomorphological complexity results in a huge set of heterogeneous bio-climatic characteristics that create conditions for the existence of a wide diversity of native climatophylous broadleaf vegetation and unique habitats, especially the Macaronesian coasts with endemic vegetation, the Mediterranean laurel forest of the Canary laurel, the temperate laurel forest of the Madeira laurel and high-altitude heathlands.

The proposed Biosphere Reserve corresponds to the entire onshore area of the municipality of Santana, and includes the adjacent marine area to the isobath of 200 m of depth.

The total resident population in the area of the proposed Biosphere Reserve is of 8591 inhabitants, of which 99% live in the transition zone, 1% in the buffer zone and 0% in core areas.

The core zones are Sites of Community Interest, which integrate Natura 2000 areas and the buffer zones correspond to ruled usage areas through various planning and management instruments. The transition zones consist mainly of rural land, urban and public and private plots, with rules for its use imposed by activities management plans…”

Portuguese shoemaking: record year in 2011 on strong exports

From AFP

“Portuguese shoemaking, one of the oldest and most traditional industries, had a record year in 2011 on strong exports…”

“The shoemaker companies, which sell nearly all their production overseas, registered 17 percent growth last year, according to industry group APICCAPS. For the nine months to September 2011, sales totalled 1.23 billion euros ($1.6 billion), “nearly as much in all of 2010,” it said. Exports continue to drive growth, with 95 percent of output going to some 130 countries, especially in northern Europe where Portuguese footwear has established markets under a slew of eye-catching brands.”

eye-catching brands include Dkode

eye-catching brands: Dkode, Nobrand, Camport, Eject, Mack James, Softwaves, Fly London

the names are all chosen to have an Anglo-Saxon ring to them so they stand out in a very competitive market.

Kyaia: Fly London

Kyaia, which markets its Fly London brand worldwide, posted sales of 50 million euros and employs over 500 people in a Portugal

Unlike the textile industry, which has suffered badly from the economic slowdown and cheaper products made in Asia and other emerging markets, ‘Made in Portugal’ shoes have held up well, fighting alongside their Spanish and Italian rivals to hold on to market share.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jN9c40kqvA1JvsAwfolbq_SihZzg?docId=CNG.824a621c929a5f56a7df7a6dcb72eff2.1b1

President explains pension gaffe

From Portugal Daily View:

Correio da Manhã Newspaper

‘Cavaco Silva explains pension gaffe’, says Correio da Manhã, as the Portuguese president prepares to meet Bank of Portugal governor Carlos Costa to discuss pension controversy. The newspaper’s report comes after the outcry following president Cavaco Silva’s statements, who said that his monthly teacher pension worth €1,300 plus the pension he receives from the Bank of Portugal would not be enough to cover all his expenses.

Art lovers flock to Lisbon

Article title: Art lovers flock to the eurozone’s crisis capitals

Lisbon profiting from an influx of cultural tourists attracted by the warm climate, political stability, low crime rates and competitive prices

From the FT:

“Lisbon… is also profiting from an influx of cultural tourists attracted by the warm climate, political stability, low crime rates and competitive prices…

Visitors from Europe and the US basked in warm sunshine on Friday as they enjoyed views of Lisbon and the Tagus river from the battlements of São Jorge’s Castle, the city’s most popular tourist attraction.

Cilla Lundberg, from Innsbruck, Austria, said that to find a “politically safe” country to visit had been an important consideration when she looked online for a warm holiday destination.

Lisbon ranks second after Amsterdam as the European capital with both the biggest growth in overnight stays during the past five years and the most overnight stays relative to the number of inhabitants

image of the Museu do Chiado art museum

According to consultants Roland Berger Strategy, Lisbon ranks second after Amsterdam as the European capital with both the biggest growth in overnight stays during the past five years and the most overnight stays relative to the number of inhabitants – 6.2m in 2010 for a population of about 1m.

Number of foreign visitors to Lisbon increased by 9.1 per cent during the first 10 months of 2011 compared with the same period the previous year

While the Portuguese economy is estimated to have contracted 1.6 per cent in 2011 and is expected to shrink 3.1 per cent this year – the country’s worst recession in half a century – the number of foreign visitors to Lisbon increased by 9.1 per cent during the first 10 months of 2011 compared with the same period the previous year.

The Jerónimos Monastery, another leading attraction, and the Museu do Chiado art museum have registered increases in visitor numbers of 7.4 per cent and 26.1 per cent during a similar period..”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ddce9cc-4379-11e1-8489-00144feab49a.html#axzz1k6L7yk27

Prazeres art exhibition, Madeira

The Galeria dos Prazeres presents an exhibition of the artista plástico madeirense Rui Carvalho until 26 de Fevereiro.

link to Galeria dos Prazeres:

‘Mysteries of Lisbon’ film wins another international award

from the Guardian:

“The Toronto Film Critics Association, Canada’s largest association of film
critics, awarded director Raul Ruiz’s masterpiece “Mysteries of Lisbon,” as
Best Foreign Film for 2011 alongside Terrence Malik’s “Tree of Life” awarded
for Best Director and Best Film. Currently chaired by film critic Brian
Johnson of the prestigious magazine “Maclean,” the Toronto Film Critics
Association”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/dec/08/mysteries-of-lisbon-film-review

Levada Walk: Levada do Moinho na Lombada da Ponta do Sol

link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/revista/302827/302993-passeio-a-pe-na-luta-pela-agua

All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Concert Monday Lunchtime Funchal in Igreja do Colégio, Funchal City Square

Organ Concert in the series ‘A Voz Celeste’ with the organist Nelson Quintal from 12h30 until 13. Free Admission at Igreja do Colégio, Funchal City Square

Image of Igreja do Colégio, Funchal City Square from Wikicommons

Opening Ceremony: Guimarães, Portugal one of two European Capitals of Culture 2012

From Euronews:

“There have been celebrations in the northern Portuguese city of Guimarães in the City square Largo do Toural as it officially became one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2012.

It shares the honour with Maribor in Slovenia, and becomes Portugal’s third culture capital after Lisbon in 1994 and Porto in 2001.

Guimarães:”the nation’s cradle”

The inaugural show was called “the nation’s cradle”, the name often given to Guimarães because of its historical role in Portugal’s birth.

Giant horse symbolising Portugal united with a giant man, representing Europe

Amid a spectacular lights display, a giant horse symbolising Portugal was united with a giant man, representing Europe.

José Manuel Barroso, the Portuguese EU Commission President, was among the guests.

“Without culture, Europe has no direction,” he said, adding that creative industries were increasingly important to the economy. He said the Commission was proposing to boost the budget for the EU’s Creative Europe programme by 37 per cent.

Guimarães saw its own culture capital funding cut by some 20 per cent, a victim of government austerity measures in response to an international bailout package.

The city hopes the hundreds of planned events will attract around 1.5 million visitors.”

http://www.dnoticias.pt/multimedia/fotoreportagem/303355-ensaio-capital-europeia-da-cultura

link to Euronews article: http://www.euronews.net/2012/01/22/guimaraes-celebrates-eu-culture-capital-status/

images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Dear readers, events this weekend include:

Art Exhibition in Calheta region at The Centro Cívico da Ponta do Pargo

titled:’Art West 3 – Islands and Men’with works of Ruben Freitas of Madeira e Carlos Mota of The Açores Islands.

What else is happening in Madeira this weekend? Let us all know in the commments section

Reid’s Hotel Madeira in World Top 25

The Reid’s Palace Hotel in Funchal, Madeira has been classified as in the Top 25 globally by The Traveller’s Choice 2012 of TripAdvisor.

Slovakia opens consulate in Madeira

link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/node/303212

Tried the Carros do cesto in Monte?

“The Monte toboggan ride down towards Funchal city centre is perhaps one of the most famous of Madeira’s tourist attractions.

Go to almost any holiday website and you will read rave reviews describing the toboggan ride as one of those things that you simply must do.

Ernest Hemingway wrote: the “most exhilarating experience” of his life

Indeed, the renown American author, Ernest Hemingway, wrote of his journey in the wicker basket toboggan sled as the “most exhilarating experience” of his life.

Unfortunately, much has changed since the era when Hemingway took his trip. Today, the unwary tourist will be fleeced for every last possible euro that can be extracted from them.

Of course, many still find the sled ride an enjoyable part of their holiday. And, it is true, you are unlikely to find a similar experience anywhere else on your worldly journeys – just be mindful of what you are paying for before you hand over your hard cash.

The Monte toboggan ride starts just beneath the 74 black basalt steps leading up to Monte Church.

Walk down the steps to the viewing platform and you will see the wicker basket sleds lined up alongside the disused gates to the old Grande Hotel Belmonte.

If you have arrived in Monte via the Cable Car, follow the signs to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. The start of the toboggan ride is a little way beyond the Garden’s entrance.

Don’t expect to pay for your ride with a credit card, the operator accepts only cash.

You are best advised to wander around the other attractions at Monte first as their is no return journey by sled.”

From Love Madeira.com http://www.love-madeira.com/monte-toboggan-madeira.php

‘Markets contradict “turning point” forecast by Vítor Gaspar’

From Portugal Daily View:

‘Markets contradict “turning point” forecast by Vítor Gaspar’, reports Público Newspaper, after the Portuguese Minister of Finance said Thursday that the uncertainty had decreased and the country was reaching a “turning point”.

However, the newspaper point out that despite the success of Portuguese debt auction held Wednesday, interest rates in the secondary market rose 21% in a week, while Portugal has a 66% risk of default…”

images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

‘Football: Ronaldo, Real not enough for Super Barca;

Barcelona win ‘the Copa del Rey’, ‘o clássico

From Portugal Daily View:

Despite the aerly goal by Madeira’s Cristiano, “Guardiola beat Mourinho yet again…”

“José Mourinho wanted to defeat Barcelona once more for the Copa del Rey, and for the first time at Santiago Bérnabeu. Yet, the Portuguese manager’s strategy was once again foiled. Barcelona turned an early one goal deficit into a 1-2 win sparked by Messi‘s class..”

Full article: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/01-whats-new/football-ronaldo-real-not-enough-for-super-barca

Diving in Madeira

Daily Telegraph Article:

Diving in Madeira: indigo depths and sunken wrecks

What it offers is not technicolour coral reefs and the feeling of being in a tepid tropical aquarium, but raw Atlantic diving at its best, with large and varied marine life, a dramatic underwater landscape of caverns, archways and canyons, temperate waters (17-24C/63-75F) and good visibility

Madeira is trying to lure younger tourists with promises of sub-aquatic adventures. Andrew Purvis is impressed.

Porto Santo Island dives

“Throughout the 25 minutes we spent on the wreck, Beiçolas followed us like a dog. In 35 years of diving, I had never seen a grouper so tame – and, according to Pedro, no diver ever feeds it, raising the question of what the fish gets from the transaction.”

Yet there is more to the Madeirense than Big Lips.
When I dived it in May, there was no swell, no current and scarcely a cloud in the sky.

Madeira Island dives

“Underwater, the sea cliffs mimic this, dropping sharply to depths of 10,000ft – impossible to dive, but bringing a host of large sea mammals and deep-water feeders to the narrow shelf of dramatically contoured seabed that is within reach of divers…”

“We see manta rays just off the shore here,” said Pedro Vasconcelos, the award-winning underwater photographer who runs Focus Natura, the dive centre in Santa Cruz that I visited next.

“devil rays”, with a wingspan of up to 25ft, are on the must-see list for most divers.

At one popular spearfishing spot, Pedro added, hammerhead sharks gather in the surf, awaiting any spoils. In these plankton-rich waters, dolphins and whales are in abundance and turtles a common sight.

Desertas Islands dives

These uninhabited islands are a home to a colony of Mediterranean monk seals, elusive but occasionally spotted off Madeira.

Despite all this, these subtropical Portuguese islands have been largely overlooked by British divers – until now. In an attempt to lure younger and more adventurous visitors to an island chiefly associated with pensioners on package tours, Madeira is being marketed on its subaquatic merits.

Garajau: marine reserve just east of Madeira’s capital Funchal

As soon as I hit the water at Garajau, a marine reserve just east of Funchal, it was obvious things had changed. No sooner had the bubbles cleared from my backward roll off the boat than I spotted a ray on the sand a good 50ft below me. It soared like a bird into the deep blue and my gaze followed it to the limit of visibility – about 70ft, not as good as in Porto Santo, the Red Sea or the eastern Mediterranean, but a joy for anyone used to diving in British waters.

Within seconds, there was a friendly grouper again – one of a pair, Machado and Pintas, always seen on this dive – and, overhead, more barracuda. Hugo Silva, my guide, pointed out a tiny Atlantic arrow crab, like a spindly spider, and the blooms of giant sea anemones. To our right, eels protruded from the sand like writhing plants (hence the term “eel garden”) while ahead darted brightly coloured Azores chromis, Canary damsels and blacktail combers.

Diving in Garajau’s Arena

My final dive was at the Arena, a circle of rocks where caves, canyons and “swimthroughs” provide an adventure playground for divers. Stingrays were everywhere: five pregnant females 4ft long were buried in the sand with only their eyes protruding, sheltering in the natural amphitheatre before giving birth.

Madeira’s merits as a family destination with great diving thrown in

It was a first for me, and enough to persuade me of Madeira’s merits as a family destination with great diving thrown in. Unlike many dive spots, it offers plenty for non-divers (see box) and is only a three-and-a-half-hour flight from Britain.

Professionalism of the Madeira region dive centres

What struck me most was the professionalism of the dive centres – especially Rhea Dive, where neat innovations have made the diving safer and slicker. For example, every scuba tank is “sniffed” with a sensor to check whether it contains air or Nitrox – the gas mixture that is essential for deep diving but dangerous if used in error. Nowhere else have I seen that done as a matter of course – but then nowhere else have I seen a grouper that thinks it is a dog…”

link to article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/portugal/9013097/Diving-in-Madeira-indigo-depths-and-sunken-wrecks.html

Health Centre Emergency opening times

The Diario reports on changes to Health Centre Emergency opening times including:

Alterações nos centros de saúde

Centro de Saúde do Porto Moniz
Passa a funcionar apenas entre as 8 e as 20 horas

Centro de Saúde de Santana
Funcionará entre as 8 e as 22 horas

Centro de Saúde da Ribeira Brava
Estará aberto entre as 8 e as 23 horas
Ao fim-de-semana estarão fechados

images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Dear readers, thanks for all contributions in the comments section and outside of the comments section. Thanks to readers and contributors including Peter.

Walk: Jardim do Mar-Prazeres-Paul do Mar

Great film of a very popular Walk on Madeira’s south-west coast in Calheta region including the PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar

Jazz Club proposed for Ocean Front location in Funchal

The Câmara Municipal do Funchal through Empresa da Frente-Mar is putting out a tender to explore interest and proposals for a Jazz Club in a location on the Ocean Front in Funchal

link to article http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/302137/5-sentidos/302182-camara-cria-concurso-para-clube-de-jazz-na-promenade

New Employment Laws-Signing of new ‘Acordo social’

From Portugal Daily View:

“The Portuguese government, employers, and one of the country’s two trade union confederations concluded months of tough tripartite negotiations Tuesday, signing an austerity accord that includes cuts to holidays and time off and makes dismissals easier.

Minister of the Economy and Employment Álvaro Santos Pereira described the agreement, inked before dawn after a final 17-hour negotiating session, as “the basis for conquering the crisis”, for relaunching an economy in recession.

“Portugal shows the world, the markets, that once more we know how to overcome our differences and unite in a time of difficulty”, he said.

In contrast, Arménio Carlos, a leader of Portugal’s largest labour organisation CGTP, which walked out of the talks, said the accord represented a return to “feudalism”.

“It’s good for big business, but terrible for workers because it…weakens social security and reduces the income of workers”, he said.

At the insistence of the CGTP and the UGT, the labour group that signed up, the government agreed to drop its controversial proposal to increase the working day by 30 unpaid minutes.

UGT leader João Proença, acknowledging the agreement was “strongly negative” for labour, said he had inked the deal because “it was important the country have an accord in the face of the severe crisis”.

The head of the Portuguese Confederation of Industry (CIP), António Saraiva, applauded the deal, describing it as a “global accord for growth, competitiveness, and jobs” at a time of “emergency”.

The social partners came into accord to reduce in three days the holiday period to 22 from 25, while holidays are going to be scrapped, reducing effectively the legal non-working days per year. The Portuguese newspaperDiário de Notícias wrote that missing work close to public holidays will mean losing two days of salary.

Other measures which might prove controversial include:

-the creation of an annual 150-hour “fund” of extra,
-unpaid work time per employee, which each business will be free to manage how it sees fit
-In the case of collective bargaining, the “fund” rises to 200 hours.

The draft, which should be signed Wednesday, also includes a greater flexibility of labour contracts – making it easier for businesses to dismiss workers based on a variety of new justifications, including maladaptation to the workplace, among other measures – and will enable unemployed workers to accumulate up to half of their jobless benefits with another salary.”

link to article: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/01-whats-new/labour-law-portuguese-tripartite-austerity-deal-inked-after-months-of-negotiations

Fishermens lives in Madeira

Profile of fishermens lives in words and pictures in the Sunday Magazine ‘Mais’ of the Diario Newspaper

link to feature:

http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/revista/301622/301799-capa-vidas-salgadas

Popularity of whale and dolphin watching in Madeira region

Popularity of whale and dolphin watching in Madeira region is covered in the Sunday Magazine of the Diario Newspaper including excursions to the Desertas Islands where the rare Monk seals may be spotted

link to article http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/revista/301622/301797-capa-terra-a-vista

10 reasons to visit Portugal

images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Flights from Germany to Madeira

From Anam website, Press Releases section:

Germania & Air Berlin Airlines

“Germania fly to Madeira Airport from Bremen, Friedrichshafen and Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden..”

“Air Berlin flies to Madeira Airport from Berlim, Dusseldorf, Nuremberg, Hannover, Dresden, Munich, Leipzig, Hamburg and Zurich..”

“On 28th April 1979 the first airberlin jet took off to Palma de Mallorca. At that time the airberlin fleet consisted of only two airplanes. Today airberlin is Germany’s second largest airline and flies its passengers to top destinations in Germany, Europe and the whole world…”

Notes accompanying the corporate film above.

Flights from France to Madeira

Direct flights from Lyon to Madeira

Aigle Azur is the 1st airline to serve regular and direct flights from Lyon to Madeira

From April 5th, 2012 Aigle Azur will offer a new destination from the airport of Lyon Saint Exupéry: Madeira.

Flights from Paris Orly to Madeira

Aigle Azur also operates to Madeira Airport from Paris Orly, with two flights every Saturday, all year round.

Flights Funchal – Lyon-Saint Exupéry:

- Thursdays, from April 5:

ZI 348 Funchal>> Lyon 11h55> 16h20
347 ZI Lyon>> Funchal 8:15 a.m.> 10.55

Flights Funchal – Paris Orly Sud:

- Saturdays:

ZI 338 Funchal>> Orly Sud 18.00> 22.15
ZI Sud 337 Orly>> Funchal 14.25> 17.00

ZI 1660 Funchal>> Orly Sud 13.00> 17.25 *
ZI 1661 Orly Sud>> Funchal 18.25> 21.00 *

link to ANAM website: http://www.anam.pt/home-254.aspx

easyJet’s big plans for 2012 in Portugal

From ‘The Algarve Resident’ November 2011

Excerpts from the Article:

“easyJet looks set to have transported a healthy 3.7 million passengers to Portugal by the end of this year (2011) – 200,000 more than in 2010..

According to easyJet Portugal director Javier Gandara, the company is to open its own base in Lisbon in April 2012.

“Our long-term commitment is to continue expanding in Portugal, a market which still has space to grow despite the crisis,” he said in an interview with the business newspaper Negócios.

This was because companies needed to “travel more” and “spend less”.

The company estimates that in 2012 it will carry four million passengers, essentially through its new hub in Lisbon.

Last year (2010), easyJet announced that it would open a new base at the city’s Portela airport where it planned to base seven aircraft and invest around €300 million in planes, create 15 new routes and 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Because of the current financial crisis, the company says it has reviewed its goals and has signed a new agreement with the Government with the new changes included.

Javier Gandara said that the “crisis was set in in Portugal”, the price of jet fuel was “through the roof” so “we therefore have to cut our cloth accordingly”.

EasyJet is planning to relocate two new planes to Portugal in addition to the one that it has flying to Funchal, while in the short term at least 100 new jobs are to be created.

The easyJet Portugal director said that Government sweeteners were not the reason for taking the decision to make a base at Lisbon airport but added that it would receive support from the Government-funded ‘initiativa.pt’.

The Secretary of State for Tourism, Cecília Meireles, said that the new base was “very important for tourism” and would not only “bring in an extra two million passengers a year” but would also have a spinoff benefit to tourism worth €600 million.

New routes to Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Venice, and Asturias?

In April 2012, easyJet is to launch new routes to Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Venice, and Asturias, which will join the 16 existing routes. In 2012, the ‘low cost’ airline expects to transport 225,000 passengers from Lisbon alone.

In the initial phase, easyJet will operate out of Terminal 2 and then will move to another airport which the Government will choose at a later date…”

http://www.algarveresident.com/43334-0/algarve/easyjets-big-plans-for-2012

Lisbon Airport to get underground connection

From Portugal News:

http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1147-40

Fado, Painting and Dancing in the Zona Velha, Funchal

Last Friday in a tribute to the Portuguese art ‘Fado’ singing and as part of
the second edition of the art project ‘Zonart’ which consists of painting
and live art Fado, Painting and Dancing took place in Travessa das Torres.

http://www.dnoticias.pt/multimedia/fotoreportagem/302167-pintura-e-fado-na-zona-velha

Investing in Portugal: Lisbon

All images unless otherwise stated from the Diario de Noticias Newspaper.

Readers get training in the marvellous January weather for:

Madeira Island Ultra Trail 2012

3 routes, the main with an approximate distance of 105 km – maximum execution time of 26 hours, the middle race is about 55 km, a maximum of 16 hours and finally, for those who want to begin, with about a 25 km, a maximum time of 12 hours. For individual competitors.

For more information contact the organiser:
Clube de Montanha do Funchal

link to Diario Newspaper article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/actualidade/desporto/302113-madeira-island-ultra-trail-2012-realiza-se-em-junho-com-video

Motorcyclist Helder Rodrigues wins stage 13 of the Dakar Rally

From: Agi.it

“Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues on Yamaha won stage 13 of the Dakar Rally, from Nazca to Pisco. That’s his first stage victory in this edition. Frenchman Cyril Despres took second, lagging 47″ behind. Yet he gained 12’38″ over Spain’s Marc Coma, who made a bad mistake. Despres now enjoys a comfortable 11’03″ lead over the Spaniard with only one stage left 29km. Rodrigues, winner of today’s stage, is heading for third place overall, with a 29’45″ lead over Spain’s Jordi Viladoms..”

http://www.agi.it/english-version/sport/elenco-notizie/201201141921-spr-ren1064-dakar_rally_rodrigues_wins_stage_despres_likely_winner

Portuguese business selling 1000 Pastéis de nata a day in Paris!

link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/actualidade/mundo/302114-pasteis-de-nata-em-paris

Gymnastics extravaganza Arco da Calheta Pavilhao 5pm Saturday

300 gymnasts presenting: Aeróbica Desportiva, Artística Masculina, Rítmica e Trampolins

Image above of Madeiran gymnast Jessica Jardim a member of the Portuguese national gymnastics team.

Madeira Architecture:Zona Desportiva Arco Calheta

All images unless otherwise stated from the Diario de Noticias Newspaper.

‘Mary Stuart’ performed in English at The Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias, Funchal, performances Saturday & Sunday?

Madeira Carnaval: one of the best in Europe: 18-21 February

Film of 2010 Carnaval

Portugal’s coast : one of best testing sites in Europe for ocean energy

From Clean Technica.com

“The WaveRoller arrived on January 2nd at Portugal’s Peniche Shipyard for a much anticipated pilot test this summer off the coast of Portugal, one of the best testing sites in Europe for ocean energy. The scaled-up version for the pilot test is to be tested in the same waters near the sea shore of Peniche where its smaller prototype showed promise..

Wave energy involves very large machines that must survive harsh underwater conditions. Even this pre-commercial version weighs 280 tons, and the test has been financed by the European Commission.

The Waveroller is anchored on the sea bottom at a depth of 10-25 meters and unlike the majority of the ideas being pursued in wave energy, using surface waves, it takes advantage of the back-and-forth movement of the surge pushing back and forth close to the sea floor.

The invention was inspired by a complete accident, when the Finnish diver Rauno Koivusaari almost got hit on the head by a powerfully flapping door on a shipwreck 15 years ago, and had a Eureka moment, and began working on the idea.

I met the new CEO, John Liljelund in Finland on a green blogger’s tour, and he was thrilled at the prospect of this pilot test, but told me that testing is so prohibitively expensive in wave energy, that it really has slowed the pace of this last frontier of renewable energy innovation.

For example, each of the three “doors” of the units weighs twenty tons, and of course it has to be constructed to withstand typical underwater wear and tear, yet as a pilot project – it is a “one-off” – with none of the cost amortization that mass production brings.

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/01/12/waveroller-arrives-in-portugal-for-long-awaited-tests/

Concert celebrating New Year, Igreja do Colegio, City Square Funchal, Saturday night 14th January 9pm

Bandolins Orchestra & Wine-tasting at Wine Institute

Weekend markets in Madeira: Feira de Artesanato ‘Made in Caniço’ market

Feira de Artesanato ‘Made in Caniço’ market this weekend

Saturday and Sunday in the Largo da Igreja do Caniço

10 e as 18 horas no sábado e das 9 às 14 horas no domingo.

This Market is monthly.. the second weekend of each month. image above from Diario Newspaper

images from Madeira Tourism Facebook pages or Wikicommons unless otherwise stated

Team Quicksilver Europa in Paúl do Mar, January 2012

Team Quicksilver Europa are in Paul do Mar at the moment surfing in the glorious weather and tidal conditions.  The film was posted on Vimeo by Orlando Perreira one of Madeira’s top surfers.

The Team including surfers from Tahiti, Morocco, UK and the Caribbean Alain Riou (Tahiti) Ramzi Boukian (Morocco), Dimitri Ouvre (Caribbean) and Toby Doanachie (UK) have been joined by local and mainland Portugal surfing champions such as Maxime Huscenot, Vasco Ribeiro image below. and Madeira’s Orlando Perreira.

link to article: titled ‘Not easy to find paradises like this’

http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/301660/desporto/301708-nao-e-facil-encontrar-paraisos-como-este

Surfing in Paúl do Mar

From Wikipedia:

The best barreling waves

“According to surf experts Paul do Mar [2] has the best barreling waves (also known as tubular or tunnel waves) on the island. Both stand-up surfing and bodyboarding are practised at this spot. The ISA World Surf championships have been hosted on the islands which are better known to be held in areas such as Hawaii. Paul do Mar region of the island is respected throughout the surf community as it offers eight metre high waves and fantastic tubular tunnels.[3] The World Big Wave Championships 2001 was held at Paul do Mar.[4]

link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing_in_Madeira

Surfing in Madeira

The winter months are the best time for surfing in Madeira. The summer-like weather now is a bonus for the surfers.

Surfing off Ponta do Pargo

Investment in Portugal’s real-estate market dropped in 2011

Prices may be pushed down creating a “good opportunity,” for investors

But, a decision by the government to ease century-old rent controls and the
likelihood Portuguese banks will push harder to sell repossessed properties
in 2012 may push prices down, creating a “good opportunity,” for investors
said Eric van Leuven said of broker Cushman & Wakefield Inc

Walking holidays in undiscovered Portugal

Daily Telegraph article:

“Portugal’s Atlantic islands offer yet more intriguing possibilities…”

“Madeira, the dramatic scenery of which never fails to amaze me, is a
well-known walking destination, especially the routes along those levada
water channels that criss-cross the landscape.”

link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/aito/9007528/Visit-Canada-wild-west-adventure.html

Flights from Lyon to Funchal: April 2012

From April 2012 the airline Aigle Azur will operate direct flights from Lyon to Funchal

images from the Diario Newspaper unless stated otherwise.

Daily Telegraph article: ‘Holidays in Portugal offer something for everyone’

“As a holiday destination par excellence, Portugal has got it all. Tranquil beaches, picturesque towns, wonderful weather, fabulous food and drink, golf courses, idyllic islands, surfing and sailing — all set against a rich backdrop of history and heritage.
Just a few hours’ flight from the UK, this is a country bursting with vibrancy and populated by warm and welcoming people. From the natural beauty of the Algarve in the south to the picturesque Douro Valley in the north, there’s a wealth of things to do and see…”

As Jose Mourinho might say, it’s the special one…”

“Portugal is a remarkable place that will reward visitors with a holiday that’s diverse, colourful, entertaining and action packed.
From its rich gastronomy to its ancient and modern architecture and golden beaches, every day will have something that surprises and enchants. As Jose Mourinho might say, it’s the special one…”

link to article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/aito/9005805/Holidays-Portugal-something-for-everyone.html

Concert by The Orchestra of Mandolins titled “Sounds of the Cellar” with a wine tasting at the Madeira Wine Institute on 13th January

Tickets are 10 Euros.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374709_323008921072416_169752853064691_1004400_1419093192_n.jpg

Madeira’s embroidery: industry and tradition

“Embroidery/Madeira Embroidery Madeira Island was discovered in the 18th century. XV and believes that the embroidery began from soon to be produced by fidalgas, as need for decoration of household linen and clothing, and still under the influence of the Conventual works.
Until the middle of the 19th century. XIX there are references to the sale or export of Embroidery. The year 1850 is a milestone for a new phase of Embroidery, date on which this product wins a commercial nature. This year was organized an exhibition of Madeiran industries held in the Palace of s. Lourenço, where it became apparent the economic potential of the product.

The island of Madeira was discovered in the 15th century and it is thought that embroideries began to be produced by the noblewomen, the need for the decoration of household linens as well as of clothing. Handcrafted work done in the convents also influenced the development of embroidery.

Up until the mid 19th century in references were made to the sale or export of Madeira Embroidery. 1850 was a landmark year for a new phase in Madeira Embroidery, when this product started to be traded. That year, an exhibition of Wood industries was organized, held at the Palace of s. Lourenço, where the economic potential of the product became evident.”

From official Madeira Tourism Facebook pages

Photography exhibition, Quinta das Cruzes Museum, Funchal: 10-29 January 2012

Data: 10/01/2012 a 29/01/2012
Hora: 10:00 às 17:30
Local : Museu Quinta das Cruzes – Calçada do Pico, 1 – Funchal
Contacto : 291 740 670
Terça a domingo das 10h00 às 12h30 e das 14h00 às 17h30

Exposição: “Um Atento Olhar”
Até 29 de janeiro 2012

Collection of photographs from The Museu Vicentes, Funchal..the museum of probably the oldest photograph studio in Portugal who were also appointed photographers to the Portuguese Royal Family.

Inserida no Projeto “Experiências Partilhadas”

4 Concerts at Igreja do Colégio in January

Organised by The Gabinete Coordenador de Educação Artística..the first was today the 11 January and titled ‘Voz Celeste’? ..the next 3 are on these dates 16th, 23rd & 30th, from 12h30-13 horas.

image from Wikicommons

The Igreja do Colégio in Funchal’s City Square was restored recently and is one of the best examples of a Barocco Church in Portugal

‘Life after AVB: is Portugal’s power base shifting post-Andre Villas-Boas?’

From the BBC Sport website pages:

“It’s not just in the Premier League where the rumbles of Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas’s influence are being felt.

In the eight months that have passed since ‘AVB’ led Porto to Europa League glory against Braga in Dublin, the axis of power in Portuguese football has tipped one way and then another.

Back in spring, Porto were untouchable. They had just become only the second team in Portugal’s history to complete a league season unbeaten, after Englishman Jimmy Hagan’s Benfica in 1972-73.

Then the coach who had said leading Porto “surpasses all my childhood dreams” stunned Portugal by leaving for the bright lights of the Premier League and Stamford Bridge.

His replacement was always likely to be on a hiding to nothing. It wasn’t just Villas-Boas’s results that spoke volumes for his work. The swagger of Porto’s squad and their extraordinary dressing-room spirit struck fear into opponents. His departure left a gaping hole.

Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa attempted to fill it via continuity. He immediately appointed Villas-Boas’s assistant, Vitor Pereira, and retained most of the backroom staff. Pereira was also given £36m of new players to work with.

Above Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas first Press Conference for Chelsea

The pallid performances of Porto’s eagerly awaited Champions League return were a warning flag. Star forward Hulk called thegoalless draw with Zenit that eliminated Porto “our best collective display of the season”. It underlined how internal expectations, and standards, had dropped.

The Portuguese media quickly sensed Pereira was not the totemic leader Villas-Boas had been. He is a decent coach and well liked, but his rhetoric rarely inspires in the way his predecessor’s had.

image of Vitor Pereira

It seems ludicrous that Pereira is under threat almost halfway through a league campaign in which Porto – like Benfica – remain unbeaten. Yet context is everything in a country where a club outside “os tres grandes” – “the big three” – have been crowned champions just twice.

At present, it’s almost a mini version of the Real Madrid and Barcelona rivalry.

The standards of Benfica and Porto have been so high in recent seasons that even the smallest slip is a relative disaster. The knife-sharpeners point out that Pereira’s side have already dropped as many points as Villas-Boas’s men did in the whole of last season – six.

It will come as little surprise to Manchester United fans to hear Benfica have upped their game this season in response. Coach Jorge Jesus’s secret has been to not overreact to last season’s relative failure at the Luz.

Benfica resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes in the summer and have been rewarded. Their regular 4-4-2 formation gave way to the stylish five-man midfield displayed in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League.

Nicolas Gaitan helped Benfica dump Manchester United out of the Champions League

New signing Axel Witsel has added power and finesse and United’s reported interest in playmaker Nicolas Gaitan isn’t hard to fathom either.

The team has plenty of goals in it too. Former Bolton loanee Rodrigo has weighed in well on his return. Paraguay’s Oscar Cardozo – a scorer against United – is no longer an automatic choice despite having managed 22 European goals for the club. It is a reflection of Benfica’s options.

Porto also have to contend with a challenge from the other side of the capital.

Sporting Clube de Portugal were in sporting and institutional crisis last season, and finished 36 points behind the champions.

New president Luis Godinho Lopes authorised a summer rebuild, spending just under £30m, a huge figure by Sporting’s standards. New coach Domingos Paciencia – like Villas-Boas, a product of Sir Bobby Robson’s days at Porto – has overseen major changes.

Brazil midfielder Elias joined for a record fee from Atletico Madrid, while Dutch pair Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Stijn Schaars have been big hits as Sporting have entertained at the same time as climbing the table.

That Sporting’s under-19 side have been so impressive in the NextGen Series shows the club’s traditions of youth development have not been neglected. Portugal’s most fertile academy has spawned the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Nani.

After Sporting finished top of its group in NextGen, thrashing Liverpool both home (5-1) and away (3-0), Europe’s scouts are licking their lips again. The current crop includes towering London-born defender Tiago Ilori, who made his first-team debut against Leiria in October.

All in all, Portuguese fans can anticipate a far closer second half of the season than last time out. Economics mean Portugal will never be the most open of championships, but its health is definitely improving..”

link to article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16463317.stm

Thanks to Peter again for contributions in the comments section including comments on the reimbursement of medicines at health centres

Flights from Zurich to Madeira from April 2012

In Summer 2012 Edelweiss Air, the Swiss Charter Company will operate weekly flights from Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and one of the world’s largest financial centres to Madeira. Edelweiss Air also operates flights to the Canaries, Caribbean and the Maldives Islands.

Showcase of Portuguese national home made goods and services

‘Made in Portugal’

links

http://www.dn.pt/storage/DN/2011/highlight/ng1640553.jpg?type=highlight&pos=0

http://www.dn.pt/inicio/especial_verde.aspx

Search for diver continues

Search for diver who disappeared off the coast of Ribeira Brava/Campanario on Monday afternoon continues

Dispute between the Government of Madeira and the National Association of Pharmacies 77m euro debt

The dispute between the Government of Madeira and the National Association of Pharmacies over the payment of a 77m euro debt is in the headlines of many Portugueses national daily newspapers on Tuesday.

Chinese pay 50% more to get REN

From Portugal Daily View:

“Chinese pay 50% more to get REN..writes Jornal de Negócios, about the proposal from Chinese utility State Grid to buy 25% of the Portuguese energy grid operator. The newspaper says that the bid is close to the €3 per share…”

Portuguese exports up 12.8% on last year, but real economy under pressure

From Portugal Daily View:

“In the three-month period through to November 2011, Portugal raised its level of exports by 15.1% while imports fell back 3.6% according to preliminary figures released Monday by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

This resulted in an overall negative trade deficit for the quarter of €3.10bn, but in itself down €2.04bn on the same period in 2010 when the deficit stood at €5.13bn.

According to the INE, this meant the level of imports covered by exports advanced to 78.6%, up 12.8% on the same period of last year.

Exports to EU member states rose by 11% with imports down 8.4% while non-EU exports put on 28% against a rise of 11.9% in imports, largely attributable to the high prevailing price of crude oil.

“Excluding fuels and lubricants, exports were identified as rising by 23.7% while imports fell back 6.6% on the same period in the previous year”, the INE concluded.

Thus, the trade deficit, excluding fuels and lubricants, recorded a €765.5m surplus that swings to a deficit of €877.4m when factoring in those fossil fuel costs.

Furthermore, in November, construction costs went up by 1.2% on the previous month with a dip in the ongoing material components index, standing at 2% in November against 2.2% in October, offset by a slight pick up in labour costs that rose by an annualised 0.7% against 0.6% in October, also according to the INE.

While international demand seems to be sustaining an improving export position, the domestic situation remains under stress

Furthermore, while international demand seems to be sustaining an improving export position, the domestic situation remains under stress according to Manuel Barata Simões, spokesperson for the Portuguese Industrial Chocolate Association (ACHOC).

Simões was swift to dismiss the myth that chocolate was recession-proof affirming that “chocolate does not display any special resistance to crisis” and forecasting the sector faced a 5% contraction in sales in 2012.

According to the association’s figures, the various dimensions to the chocolate sector represent a €200m market, with per capita annual consumption of 1.5 kilos, around half the level of other European countries such as Spain, Italy or France.”

Portugal Daily View link http://www.portugaldailyview.com/

Bloomberg article on Madeira; Embraer to create 2,000 jobs in Alentejo region; Alentejo to become hub of Portugal’s emerging aerospace sector;

Bloomberg article:

‘Madeira’s Missing Yachts Fall Victim in Portugal to Europe’s Debt Crisis’

link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-10/madeira-s-missing-yachts-fall-victim-in-portugal-to-europe-s-debt-crisis.html

Embraer’s investment set to transform Portugal’s fledgling aerospace industry

From ‘Flight Global.com’

“Embraer’s direct impact on the local economy will be significant.

Embraer’s investment amounts to almost €150 million ($195 million) and the factories will eventually have a workforce of 600. Fuchs says that figure will be “multiplied several times” in terms of wider employment. “We believe we will create jobs for 2,000 people indirectly in the region,” he says.

image of Embraer aircraft from Wikicommons

Alentejo to become hub of Portugal’s emerging aerospace sector

For a region largely reliant on agriculture, services and tourism, becoming the hub of Portugal’s emerging aerospace sector was a prize worth fighting for; Fuchs says support from the local mayor and authority has been “tireless”…”

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/in-focus-embraers-investment-set-to-transform-portugals-fledgling-aerospace-industry-366128/

All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated