AICEP
Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved financing of up to €1.7 billion for the construction of around 120 photovoltaic plants located in Spain, Italy and Portugal.

The Government hopes to launch suborbital flights from the Santa Maria Technological and Space Center in the Azores by the end of 2023.

Portugal is negotiating the opening of the pear export market to Thailand, with teams from the country having already visited orchards and fruit centres in Portugal.

The call for Pre-Registration of investment projects for State Aid Support (RPA, in the Portuguese acronym) was opened on July 20th. This call enables companies to register their intention to start an investment project and subsequently undertake capital expenditures linked to such a project whilst ensuring their eligibility for State Aid support (financial incentives) in an upcoming formal call for applications to be launched in the coming weeks.

Named after the Portuguese word for “cloud,” Nuvem will improve network resiliency across the Atlantic, helping meet growing demand for digital services. The new cable path will add international route diversity and support the development of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure for the continents and countries involved.

The Sonae Tech Hub, located at the Group's headquarters in Maia, is the only building in Portugal to be LEED and WELL certified at platinum level. The investment in the building, which is part of Sonae Campus, totalled 11 million euros. Sonae Tech Hub is part of a restricted list of around 300 buildings worldwide with the highest WELL certification.

According to the OECD, Portugal holds the 6th position as a top destination in terms of attractiveness for potential startup founders. Portugal shows advantages such as tax incentives for R&D, a robust skills environment, living costs, high scores in the "Future prospects" and “Inclusiveness" dimensions, and startup visa programmes as part of the migration policy landscape.

Waterleau has expanded operations worldwide, currently having offices in various locations. Portugal has been added to the list of sites, with an engineering centre set to open soon. The centre aims to enhance the delivery of high-quality services to worldwide clients.

ISS officially inaugurated its new Future of Work Innovation Lab in Porto on 11 September 2023. With the opening of the fully dedicated software development centre, ISS takes another step towards becoming the technology leader in the Facility Management industry.

Galp has taken the final investment decision on two large scale projects to reduce the carbon footprint of the Sines refinery and of its products. Both units are expected to have its first start up during 2025.

A company based in Covilhã is in the process of finalising pre-clinical tests on an enzyme responsible for producing oxidative stress that can be shaped to levels that prevent the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

The award was given at the Southampton International Boat Show.

Portuguese companies exporting goods totalled 22,940 in 2022, an increase of 1.9 per cent compared to 2021, according to final figures from INE - Instituto Nacional de Estatística. Of these, more than 3,000 companies exported for the first time in 2022, and the markets to which they sold the most were Spain, the United Kingdom and France. Spain was the leading destination in terms of number of companies and value.

SoSafe, a German-based Security Training Software company, opened an office in Lisbon focused on cybersecurity.

Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, has announced the organization's intent to open an office in Porto. The new office will be tasked with a special health technology and entrepreneurship project.

More than 40 countries, including Portugal, have signed the High Seas Treaty on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York.

Environmental association Zero has applauded the commitment made in a speech by the President of the Republic for the country to achieve, by 2030, the goal of 100% electricity from renewable sources.

Portuguese workers work, on average, almost 40 hours a week, which is well above the European community average.

SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals, the largest European pharmaceutical cannabis product manufacturer, has announced a new facility in Lisbon, Portugal. This allows the company to manufacture, import, and export medicinal cannabis products to numerous global markets.

Portuguese exports of goods and services rose by 7.9 per cent between January and July this year compared to the same period in 2022, totalling 73,871 million euros, according to the Banco de Portugal data. These results equate to a trade balance surplus of 1,662 million euros.

FOOD EXPO has internationally represented the dynamic Food and Beverage (F&B) industry. The exposition will welcome, from 9 to 11 March 2024, more than 35,000 buyers. All of whom are looking to meet suppliers face-to-face, discover the latest products and place orders with suppliers.

A team of scientists from the Faculty of Science and Technology of Universidade de Coimbra (FCTUC) has set up a bioelectronics and bioenergy laboratory to study the generation of clean and sustainable energy from communication between microalgae.

Travel & Tourism sector now worth more than quarter of a trillion sterling says WTTC.

A study by consultancy Capgemini has concluded that by 2027 new digital payment methods will represent around 30% of total cashless transactions, with the remaining 70% being more traditional means.

Regions in France, Spain and Portugal want to diversify their forms of financing and "strengthen cooperation" with other European Union (EU) territories to "gain institutional weight in decision-making centres".

The private equity firm Henko Partners makes its first investment in the technology sector and in Portugal, by investing in Link. Link is one of the leading Portuguese IT services providers, offering a comprehensive portfolio of solutions, with offices in Portugal, Brazil, and the Middle East.

Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Empowered Startups. The MOU allows the expansion of the Empowered's HQA Visa™ Program to the institution.

The Observatory of the SDGs in Portuguese Companies at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics (CLSBE), UCP, has been distinguished by the United Nations (UN) as one of the 25 best practices worldwide developed by academic institutions.

Portuguese home textiles company Coelima by Mabera came to New York Home Fashions Market with new designs that emphasize both fashion and sustainability. The manufacturer grouped its introductions under 3 trends themes.

The golden visa programme continues in Portugal despite new laws awaiting to come into action and it is citizens from the USA who have received the most visas in July.

Portugal’s secretary of state for the economy, Pedro Cilínio, on Monday announced new support for companies totalling €150 million, of which €60 million for international promotion and almost €90 million for training workers.

More than 25M€ and including the supply of 12 power transformers.

Portugal is once again the largest producer of bicycles in the European Union in 2022, according to data released this Thursday by Eurostat.

In 2022, Portugal attracted 248 FDI projects and climbed two places in the European ranking as an FDI destination, ranking 6th place. According to the EY Attractiveness Survey Portugal, Software & IT Services, Business Services and Sales & Marketing attract the most investment. Talent is one of the factors in which Portugal ranks best compared to other European countries.

Hassan Centenary Terraces is made up of 6 towers, one of which is 110 metres high, and was created by the Casais Group.

The European online fashion and beauty market generated a turnover of 122 billion euros in 2022. And 45 billion euros of that turnover was cross-border. The market is projected to reach sales of 144 billion euros by 2026.

What are the Top 5 European countries driving the highest percentage increase in foreign investment ?

The Business & Pitch Challenge allows startups to present their products, services or solutions to a panel of investors specialised in the Blue Economy. The session is included in the II Fórum de Investimento em Economia Azul Sustentável agenda. It will take place in Estoril, Portugal, on 4 October 2023.

An opening date has been confirmed for a new Portuguese café coming to a unit opposite the Watford town centre pond.

July saw 12.5% year-on-year increase: roughly 7,000,000 passengers.

In Portugal, the company has already intervened in most of the national ports, such as Sines, Leixoes, Setubal, Lisbon, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz and Viana do Castelo.

The Navigator Company SA wants to share with society not only the results, but also the knowledge, experience and resources in the search for a better future.

Exports of goods increased by 564 million euros between January and July, according to data from the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE). The trade deficit fell by 945 million euros. Spain stands out as the main destination for Portuguese products. France made the biggest contribution to overall export growth in this period. Machinery and equipment were the best-selling products. Processed Industrial Products grew by 4.2 per cent, reaching 93.6 per cent of total exports.

Greek economic activity continued rising in second quarter of 2023 at an accelerating pace compared to the previous quarter. These results are mostly driven by growth in private consumption and gross fixed capital formation, largely investment in construction.

Bridal Fashion Week (BFW) allows participants to have contact with 100 selected companies. The event offers new ideas, modern products and special services relating to wedding attire. BFW will occur in the Zappeion Megaron (Greece) from December 1st to December 3rd.

On the occasion of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to supply the TotalEnergies refinery in Gonfreville, Normandy, France, with renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, Air Liquide announces an investment of over 400 million euros for the construction of its Normand’Hy electrolyzer, with a capacity of 200 MW.

Portugal’s Banco Montepio has agreed to sell its business banking brand, Banco Empresas Montepio (BEM), to financial services start-up Rauva for €30m.

Flow Beverage Corp. and Live Nation Canada new carton designs showcase Tetra Pak® Custom Printing’s unique advertising opportunities.

The Web Summit 2023, that will be held in Lisbon, Portugal on November 13-16, 2023, is Europe's largest tech event.

"We're working towards having something important to do together by the end of the year," said António Costa, the Portuguese PM.

At the end of July, the Institute of Vine and Wine estimated an increase in production for the 2023/2024 grape harvest of around 8% for a volume of 7.4 million hectolitres.

The Intermunicipal Community of the Leiria Region has announced that it has followed the approval of the opinion on the Allocation Plan for Renewable Energy Production in the consultative commission, with warnings for the maintenance of fishing.

The master's programmes of Nova SBE University, Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics and Iscte Business School have made it into the 2023 Financial Times Masters in Management ranking. The master's programmes of Portuguese institutions are now among the best in the world.

The ERC – European Research Council – will find 400 projects selected in the Starting Grants 2023 competition, to a total sum of 628 million euros. Of these, 7.7 million euros will be allocated to four projects by researchers in Portugal, and 4.5 million euros to three projects headed by Portuguese researchers abroad.

Hyprop Proprietary, a waste management company, has improved its driving behaviour, increased productivity and reduced fuel consumption in its fleet. This was possible with the support of Frotcom.

Portugal has become Europe's largest bicycle manufacturer, and other industries are following suit. This is because it has become clear since the war and the pandemic that supply chains and their disruptions have severely affected European industry.

Unbeknown to holidaymakers frolicking on the beach at Sines, high-speed submarine optical cables lie deep off this Portuguese coast, forming an umbilical cord of connectivity and data between Europe and South America.

The SPORT TV app developed by the Portuguese company Magycal has been nominated for the IBC 2023 international innovation awards in the Content Everywhere category. The IBC 2023 Innovation Awards are among the most prestigious prizes worldwide in the Media, Entertainment and Technology industry.

TAP is promoting Portugal on the screens of Times Square, the heart of New York, with a video featuring images of the company and the country, which will be shown on the giant screens of the most iconic square in the United States of America.

Lithuania, Malta and Portugal were the three European countries where the number of people employed grew the most in the second quarter, according to Eurostat data.

Direct payments from families to pharmacies increased by 57% in 20 years, reaching 1,419 million euros in 2020, an increase accompanied by expenditure on the National Health Service (SNS).

The Council of Ministers will approve today the extension of the zero VAT measure on some food products considered until the end of the year, according to António Costa.

EU countries met their voluntary target of reducing gas consumption by 15 per cent between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023, compared to the average consumption of this period in the previous five years. Portugal ranks 4th in the stringency of measures adopted to reduce energy demand.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.4 per cent in the first half of 2023, compared to the same period last year. Exports accounted for 49.2 per cent of GDP and made the most significant contribution to economic growth.

DECORHOTEL is a trade fair focused on B2B meetings with purchasing professionals. The event brings together all segments of the professional industry, equipment, accessories and services. The fair will take place from 26 to 28 October 2023 at FIL in Lisbon, at a time when the market is showing resilience and growth potential.

HealthTech Lisboa is a venture builder that aims to accelerate the growth of startups and connect pioneers in the health tech field based in Lisbon. A group of entrepreneurs founded the platform in a joint venture with StartUp Lisboa.

Forestry exports reached a record of 7,100 million euros in 2022, contributing to a trade balance surplus of 3,300 million euros.

Financial support of up to €30,000 is available for suitable projects.

The PNAID MEETINGS (National Program of Support to the Investment of the Portuguese Diaspora) head over to Minho in the upcoming days from December 14th to the 16th. This is the largest portuguese event involving investors of the diaspora, aiming to promote investments, propagate exports and help the internationalization of local businesses, through the entrepreneurial potential of the Portuguese communities.

Portuguese consumers “are more willing to pay more” for fish enriched with omega-3, a reality that aligns with that of other European countries, a study by B2E – Collaborative Laboratory for the Blue Bioeconomy revealed.

Between 2018 and 2022, Porto grew more than twice as much as Lisbon in terms of overnight stays for tourists.

The Vila Galé group has already invested around six million euros this year in renovations of its hotels in Portugal, with most of the works beginning undertaken in the Algarve.

Floating wind energy is still an emerging technology. Even so, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) places Portugal on the podium of potential leaders in this sector in 2030, accompanied by the United Kingdom, South Korea, China and Norway.

In 2022, world footwear exports totalled 15.2 billion pairs. This corresponds to a growth of 9 per cent. Portugal will see a 7 per cent increase in these exports, ranking 12th globally.

On 4 September 2023, the  innovative technological platform for public procurement Affereo - Procurement Intelligence was launched.

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS), a leading global company in high-performance power solutions, announced the opening of its design centre in Porto, Portugal. The design centre will support MPS's continued growth of cutting-edge power solutions for datacentres, EVs, solar power, battery power storage, robotics, telecom infrastructures, cloud computing, automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.

Chinese investment raised through golden visas totalled 433.7 million euros between 2020 and July this year, with eight visas granted that month, according to SEF data requested by Lusa.

Content Guru, Europe’s leading cloud contact centre and customer experience (CX) provider, has announced it is opening a new development hub in Porto, Portugal, this summer as it continues to expand in the region. The extension supports a growing number of customers seeking to modernize their customer and citizen experiences across Europe and beyond.

After 13 successful editions dedicated to technology, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, economic development, and sustainability, Quidgest, a multinational technology company of Portuguese origin, pioneer in the automatic generation of software, is preparing to present the 14th edition of the Q-Day Conference, an annual event that this year delves into the realm of “Generative Artificial Intelligence” for debate and will take place on September 19, at Culturgest, in Lisbon.

Subdron, a startup specializing in autonomous underwater navigation and data processing for advanced underwater inspections, announced pre-seed funding of €1.3M. This investment will also allow the opening of a subsidiary in Porto, Portugal.

After a successful 2022 and despite the slowdown in the main export destination markets, the Portuguese footwear sector exported 36.6 million pairs worth 964 million euros in the first half of the year, remaining in positive territory.

Frotcom announced its participation at the Transporeon Summit 2023. The event is set to take place in Santa Susanna, Spain, from September 19 to 20, 2023. The company will showcase its innovative fleet management system.

Siemens has supplied 320 high-power electric chargers to Engie Vianeo. Of these, 175 were produced in Portugal and will be distributed to 64 petrol stations in France. The chargers were produced at the Corroios factory, a key element of Siemens' electric mobility ecosystem in the country.

The "Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa" brand shop recently opened in New York's Times Square and has already been highlighted in an article in The New York Times, which suggests skipping the famous M&M's store and head to the Portuguese shop.

Portugal’s leading lager will arrive on UK shores through exclusive partner James Clay and Sons, based in Yorkshire, from this month.

Greece’s creative talent is coming into its own, gaining recognition on the world stage with a growing presence in gaming and animation, two of the world’s fastest growing creative industries with a combined market worth some three-quarters of a billion dollars.

Despite successive heatwaves across the south of Europe in June and July, Greek tourism is on track for a record year, confirming the industry’s role as the driver of the country’s economy and helping Greece achieve one of the highest growth rates in Europe.

Greece has returned to investment grade status following back-to-back upgrades this month from international credit ratings agencies in Europe and Asia, signaling further upgrades in the months ahead and underscoring the success of the country’s economic policies.

After a tumultuous decade, Greece is officially back. In the past few weeks, two of the world’s leading credit rating agencies have restored the country’s sovereign rating to investment grade with more such actions expected in the months ahead. The upgrades reflect years of hard work and sacrifice by Greece and the Greek people.

Construction company Mota-Engil has secured two contracts to provide industrial engineering services in Africa worth around €945 million, according to a statement sent to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).

The Chamber's Moving to Portugal Show returns to central London on the 19th of October, 2023. Moving to Portugal is the only UK event focusing solely on the Portuguese property market. The show takes place at the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel – 354 Queenstown Road, London SW11 8AE.

In the second quarter, the total stock of Portuguese investment abroad (IPE) grew by 4.8 per cent to 65.9 billion euros. According to data released by the Bank of Portugal (BdP), IPE increased by 8.4 per cent compared to the same quarter last year. These results are less than half of Portugal's total foreign direct investment (FDI).

With the implementation of Frotcom's advanced fleet management solution, DHL Kosovo gained the ability to monitor driver tasks and exercise greater control over its fleet's fuel consumption.

StoreConnect CEO Mikel Lindsaar shares insights on overcoming the challenges faced by SMBs in the e-commerce space, including fragmented data, limited AI capabilities, and the complexity of AI integration.

In the second quarter of the year, activities related to accommodation, catering and similar employed 332.4 thousand individuals, a value that represents an increase of 28.8%, according to data released by travelBI.

A new study reveals that "there are specific groups feeling the impact of rising prices more".

After 13 successful editions dedicated to technology, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, economic development, and sustainability, Quidgest, a multinational technology company of Portuguese origin, pioneer in the automatic generation of software, is preparing to present the 14th edition of the Q-Day Conference, an annual event that this year delves into the realm of “Generative Artificial Intelligence” for debate and will take place on September 19, at Culturgest, in Lisbon.

Energy Starter is EDP's open innovation programme that seeks out fast-growing startups and scaleups from around the world with the most disruptive solutions. The aim of the program is to accelerate development in the areas of networks, renewables, green hydrogen, mobility and customer solutions.

Portugal will be the featured country at the Annecy Animation Film Festival in France, which will take place from 9 to 15 June 2024 and is one of the world's leading events dedicated to this film genre.

Portuguese furniture and decoration company Kinda Home is taking a step towards internationalisation by opening its first Spanish shop in Madrid. The shop is located on Calle Hermosilla in Salamanca.