The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, signed last Friday with the municipalities of the island an innovative protocol of interadministrative cooperation that represents a milestone in the commitment of the island institution to promote gastronomy, support local production and promote the circular economy.
The protocol devised by the Area of Economic Promotion includes the annual advance distribution of 1,400,000 euros by the Cabildo to the municipalities, for the development of projects.
Oswaldo Betancort has stressed that these grants "not only boost our gastronomy and local economy, but also strengthen the capacity of the municipalities to meet other more urgent needs of citizens, such as housing assistance, rent or other municipal policies."
Likewise, the president has remarked that, as in each fiscal year the Cabildo of Lanzarote signs the municipal cooperation plans with the municipalities, "the objective is to turn this ambitious protocol into a new tool to boost the economy, something we do in an equitable way."
Among the actions included in this protocol signed between the Corporation and the municipalities are the organization of local gastronomic events inside and outside the island, generating job opportunities in hospitality, logistics and production; the collaboration with chefs and local producers, promoting the consumption of zero kilometer products and increasing the demand for local agriculture, livestock and fisheries; or the training for professionals in the tourism and gastronomy sector, improving the competitiveness and quality of the services offered in Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
"This investment not only achieves a positive impact on our economy and the quality of life of the people of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, but also values our farmers, fishermen and ranchers, who are the soul of our island identity and culture," explained Oswaldo Betancort.
Distribution of funds
The funds are distributed among the seven municipalities according to economic and employment criteria, prioritizing those with the largest number of inhabitants and greater social needs. The amounts allocated have been as follows: Arrecife: 563,201 euros; Haría: 62,799 euros; San Bartolomé: 166,554 euros; Teguise: 200,973 euros; Tías: 179,891 euros; Tinajo: 72,293 euros; Yaiza: 154,289 euros.
The protocol establishes a technical commission that will supervise the correct execution of the projects, ensuring compliance with the objectives and guaranteeing transparency in the management of resources.
On the other hand, the municipalities have thanked for the subsidy received through this initiative "that highlights the local product", commented the mayor Olivia Duque (Teguise), and that "will help to strengthen the economy of local commerce", as recognized by the councilor Marcos Lemes (Haría). Other municipal representatives such as Jesús Machín, first mayor of Tinajo, welcomed this new island economic support that will nourish the local offer of economic promotion.
