AICEP
Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal

The economic value of the Ocean has yet to reach its full potential as we know more about outer space than of the bottom of the seas. However a wide range of opportunities exist along the 528 miles of the Portuguese coastline and its vast national waters. A lot more is expected to come with much room for sharing of knowledge, experience and techniques as well as opportunities for public-private partnerships and foreign investment.

During 2009 Portuguese expertise and innovation in Renewable Energies, IT and Software, Construction, Biotechnology and Healthcare were the focus of the debate exploring business opportunities for Portuguese and British companies. 2010 will start by looking at how the ocean acts as a driver of innovation for these industries.

aicep Portugal Global – Trade & Investment Agency, and Barclays, with the support of TAP - the Portuguese Airline, and the cooperation of the Confederation of British Industry, British Chambers of Commerce, UK Trade & Investment, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, Forum of Private Businesses, Renewable Energy Association, National Energy Foundation, AWS-Ocean Energy, Oceanlinx, National Federation of Builders, SOCITM, Women in Telecoms & IT Association, Association of British Health Care Association, Medical Research Council Technology, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the PML Applications Ltd (both part of the PML Group), Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth, Society of Maritime Industries, and the Wave Energy Centre - Centro de Energia das Ondas, have been showcasing a new Portugal: a country of innovation and modernity, home to companies and industries committed to research, development and knowledge.