Economy Minister António Costa Silva said this Wednesday that the government will analyze Brussels’ recommendations, but energy support measures cannot be cut overnight.
“What worries us is the protection of national industry and national companies in the face of the energy situation,” the Minister of Economy said today, arguing that “the failure to implement these support measures [no setor energético] This cannot be done overnight.”
The European Commission on Tuesday called on Portugal to cut energy support measures “as quickly as possible in 2023 and 2024”.
In its opinion on the state budget proposal for 2024 (OE2024), published as part of the European Semester, the Community Executive considers that it “does not fully comply with the recommendation” of the Council, which in July suggested that Portugal would reduce the energy support currently in place.
“These are recommendations from Brussels that the government will follow and analyze,” the minister said, stressing that despite the decline in oil prices in recent weeks, “support for companies will probably have to be curtailed.”
“It is very important to maintain support and gradually see how the economy behaves,” he told news agency Lusa.
António Costa e Silva spoke with Lusa during a visit to the Benedita parish in the municipality of Alcobaça, Leiria district, as part of the promotion of business activities and “clusters” in the Western Region. .
The Minister visited the IVO Cutelarias company and the progress of work on the construction of Benedita’s business reception.