AICEP
Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal

Five Portuguese higher education institutions have made significant strides in the annual ranking released by the Financial Times, solidifying their presence among the top business schools in Europe.

Portugal's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.4 per cent in the first nine months of the year, according to data from the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE). Exports rose by 5.2 per cent, outpacing imports, which grew by 1.8 per cent. The European Commission forecasts that Portugal's GDP will grow by 2.2 per cent a year in 2023, outpacing the eurozone.

Portuguese company Cool Gray will fit the management and employees of the Palace of Versailles with their Uniform-Shoes.

According to Sapo, Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua (PSML) was distinguished at the “World Travel Awards” in the category of “Best Company in the World in Conservation”, for the 11^th time after winning consecutively in previous editions since 2013, the society announced on the 1^st of December.

Startup Sea4Us is about to receive licensing for a new painkiller made from marine organisms found in the Algarve, which aims to alleviate chronic pain for hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Worth more than six million euros with the objective of promoting the switch to electric trains.

Lisbon, Aveiro and Porto are the locations chosen to move forward with three sustainable aviation fuel projects.

The International and Air and Space Fair, FIDAE, consolidated as the oldest and foremost Aerospace, Defense and Security exhibition in Latin America will hold its twenty-third edition from 9 to 14 April 2024 in Santiago de Chile.

The Enterprise Greece lauched the Newsletter | November 2023.

The inaugural edition of +Concreta was held on 16th and 17th November, presenting a variety of solutions for architecture and design, marked by efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector.

Portugal has climbed two places to 36th in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, a study involving 64 countries. "Data protection regulation" and "Communication technologies" are some of the country's key strengths.

Elementis, a company operating in the chemical sector, will invest three million euros in the country's first global center of excellence and research and development (R&D) laboratory, which will open in the first half of 2024, in Porto.

Arrow Global, in collaboration with a Portuguese construction company, has invested in the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf tourist resort, in Lagos, Algarve.

G20 merchandise trade contracts again in Q3 2023, while services trade growth appears to flatten.

Riopele is actively investing in decarbonising its operations, notably through the installation of solar panels across its main complex and a biomass plant that is now operating.

The 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) ranks Portugal as the 7th safest country in the world, in a ranking led for the 16th time by Iceland.

The European Commission has announced the winners of the European Capital of Innovation Awards for 2023. Lisbon has emerged as the winner in the European Capital of Innovation category.

The factory, located in Ohio, currently has 3 injection machines for the production of PU and PVC boots, which are distributed throughout the country through a network of distributors who are committed to the quality and the American-made product.

Vision-Box, the global leader in biometric-based travel solutions, has unveiled at the Dubai Airshow a groundbreaking solution which is set to define the future of the aviation industry. The 'Free Flow' technology was successfully showcased at the Dubai Airshow, and it is poised to transform the travel experience worldwide: seamless, contactless and on-the-move, without the traditional queuing found at standard barriers. 

EDP scored as “best in class” among 256 companies worldwide in the categories of climate strategy, ethics, innovation, and market opportunities. This is EDP's third recognition as the world's most sustainable electric utility in ten years.

US economist Paul Krugman has called Portugal “a kind of economic miracle” in an interview with Jornal de Negócios.

Caetano Kenya, an automobile dealership with Portuguese backing, has intensified its efforts to promote the sale of Ford Motor vehicles in Kenya, the second largest American automaker in the country. This comes following the signing of a profitable agreement to exclusively distribute Ford vehicles in Kenya.

The Agris Group will integrate three Sanipina stores in the Algarve, with the purpose of strengthening its operations in the retail sector, according to the company.

Portuguese startup Portugal Bugs is making strides in the European market with its insect-based snacks. The startup has already entered the Spanish market and plans to expand further into Europe, targeting Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium next year, with the North American market in their sights by 2026.

The Portugal Fintech Report 2023, released on November 9th, highlights the sector's achievement of raising over 1.1 billion euros. Talent emerges as a key strength of Portuguese Fintechs, reflecting the industry's commitment to innovation through a skilled workforce.

The new Joivy platform brings together several residential solutions, such as co-living, short-term rental and student accommodation.

On 24 November, the EU SME Centre and Voka Mechelen Kempen – Flanders’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Mechelen Kempen, are organising a webinar to give European SMEs an informative overview of the Chinese market.

Temu, the rapidly growing ecommerce player from China, has expanded its European delivery network through partnerships in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. More logistic collaborations seem to be on the horizon.

Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI), through ENRICH in the USA presents the “How Internationalize to the USA” workshop which aims to disseminate market opportunities in the USA for Portuguese companies and clusters, existing opportunities for cooperation, and Soft-Landing Hubs services under the ENRICH in the USA. At the end of the event, there will be a cocktail/networking session.

A "league table” ranking 20 popular destinations based on their affordability for UK second-home investors has been released by Proven Partners, specialists in luxury real estate marketing.

Between July and September, 30,447 million euros came from abroad directly into the Portuguese real estate market.

Rua Garrett in Chiado, Lisbon, is the 29th area in the world with the highest rents for shops and restaurants (retail), making it the most expensive in the country.

The country with the best brand image in 2023 is Japan which, after a constant rise over the years, has dethroned Germany, which had led the ranking since 2016.

Air Liquide has selected the three winners of its 2023 Scientific Challenge, out of 119 proposals from 29 countries.

Air Liquide and Sasol have signed new Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with the global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power, for the long-term supply of a capacity of 97.5 MW of renewable power to Sasol’s Secunda site, in South Africa, where Air Liquide operates the biggest oxygen production site in the world.

CTT – Correios de Portugal has announced that it has established a partnership with the Temu e-commerce platform in the Iberian Peninsula, which aims to guarantee the "best online shopping experience for customers who purchase products on this platform".

There have never been so many applications, experiences and content available. However, choosing efficiency over creativity is ushering in an era of mediocrity. The "Accenture Life Trends" study addresses the challenges of originality in this period, posing the following question: How can companies differentiate their products and services in an ecosystem transformed by generative Artificial Intelligence?

The International Investment Forum for Innovation will be held on 25th of November in Kiev.

Jurisdictions with high tax rates account for more than half of the low-taxed profits reported globally by multinational enterprises (MNEs), according to new OECD analysis.

In the dynamic landscape of Portugal’s startup ecosystem, 2024 is set to be an exciting year.

LUGGit, a company that offers professional luggage management services, has sealed a €1.8 million financing round with three investment funds focused on portuguese companies.

The Bio360 Expo 2024 - Accelerating the Biotransition will be held from the 24th to the 25th of January in Nates, France.

Hovione acquires ExtremoChem and its portfolio of proprietary sugars to support customers with stabilization and delivery of biopharmaceuticals.

All boxes, bags and envelopes used by Amazon for deliveries in Europe are now recyclable. The company also states that an increasing number of products are being sent to customers without any additional packaging.

In an exclusive interview with The Portugal News, the Ambassador of Canada to Portugal, Élise Racicot shared her positive transition to Portugal and highlights why Portugal is a sought-after destination by Canadians.

The future marine area of Cascais, Sintra and Mafra presents species that could form “coral gardens”, in the Cabo da Rocha area, protected “habitats”, says the scientific report led by the Oceano Azul Foundation.

Disney was inspired by the Iberian Peninsula to create the kingdom of Roses in its new film “Wish”, which celebrates the studio's centenary.

The biggest Santa Claus in the world has arrived in Águeda, as part of the ‘Águeda é Natal’ initiative which will now run until 7 January.

Information, insights, communication, shopping. Whatever the purpose, how people use the Internet is being significantly transformed, and Generative AI is at the centre of this disruption. The "Accenture Life Trends 2024" study identifies how Large Language Models (LLM) will change how people experience and interact with brands and organisations in the coming years.

On the 23rd of November 2023, the Commission will open two calls for proposals to accelerate the deployment of innovative technologies in Europe. Together, the calls will make up to €4.8 billion available for industry and clean tech players in Europe.

According to Sapo, the Portuguese have the intention of spending an average of €359 this Black Friday, an increase of around 10 percent compared to last year.

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock increased by 6 percent from January to September this year compared to the same period in 2022. The Netherlands lead the list of immediate investors and capital origin. Financial and insurance activities stood out among the highlighted sectors.

Portuguese exports of goods and services reached 96.008 billion euros from January to September this year. This represents an increase of 5.457 billion euros (+6 per cent) compared to the same period in 2022. Imports, on the other hand, fell by 1.323 billion euros. These results determine a trade surplus of 4.026 billion euros, which corresponds to an increase in the balance of 6.781 billion euros.

Mercadona has opened its 48th store nationwide, with the opening of a new supermarket in the municipality of Braga, located at Rua da Feira no. 76, in the parish of Real.

Startup Portugal and consultants IDC and Informa D&B calculated the number and value of this type of company in the country based on the Startups and Startups Law, which came into force in May this year. Together they earn more than two million euros.

After experiencing unprecedented growth during the pandemic, the e-commerce landscape is undergoing significant change, according to a new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study, "Winning Formulas for E-Commerce Growth".  The study examines the trends that have shaped the online retail sector from the beginning of the pandemic to the present day.

The Banco de Portugal publishes updated balance of payments and international investment position statistics for September 2023.

P-BIO, Portugal’s leading association for its biotech industry, is approaching a quarter century in existence. Its president, Simão Soares, tells PharmaBoardroom that there has been “substantial positive change” in the country’s biotech environment in these years, and – while the overall industry is still relatively modest in size compared to some of its European counterparts – he is able to highlight several Portuguese biotech success stories. Moreover, he has firm hopes of Portuguese biotech emulating the country’s digital sector and becoming a prime destination for international investment and start-ups.

"Why Australia for Clinical Trials" will feature experts highlighting Australia's world-leading research capabilities, streamlined regulatory system and efficient grants and incentives. This free online event is scheduled for Thursday 30 November from 08:00 to 09:00 WET.

The trade deficit fell by 2.8 million euros in the first nine months of this year. The ratio of exports to imports was 74.5%, an increase of 2.5 percentage points and an improvement compared with the same period last year. Exports totalled 58.4 billion euros, with Spain as the top destination for Portuguese goods and machinery and equipment as the main export, accounting for 15.4 per cent.

The correlation between customer experience and business revenue growth is being transformed. In response to the current economic climate, companies have been cutting costs and increasing the prices of their products and services, and customers are noticing. The Accenture Life Trends study identifies the factors that will change how people experience and interact with brands and organisations in the coming years.

Vietnam will work alongside Portugal to raise their two-way trade turnover to US$1 billion in the coming time, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Thanh Man told Portuguese officials during their meetings on November 13 as part of his ongoing working trip to the European nation.

Skills are vital for building resilient economies and societies.

Sparkfood achieved the first milestone of its Ingredient.s platform journey through the acquisition of 70% of SparkVos, including four subsidiaries of VOS Group: Evra, Nutraceutica, OSUN Solutions and Nvh Italy businesses

Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, and ENEOS Corporation, Japan’s leading energy company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on accelerating the development of low-carbon hydrogen in Japan and contribute to the energy transition.

The Portuguese consortium led by Grupo Ramos Ferreira, also composed of the Vieira Lopes/Ocram companies, will be part of the construction of the world's largest telescope, located in Chile: the "ELT (Extremely Large Telescope)". The consortium will be responsible for detailed design execution, BIM engineering, supply and assembly of HVAC mechanical facilities and temperature control, compressed air, and fire safety systems.

The Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries (AIMMP) presents leading wood and furniture companies from the southern European country to showcase their premium products at Boutique Design – New York from November 12 - 13, 2023 at the Javits Center.

6.7 million passengers passed through Portuguese airports in September, 12.3% above the 2019 figure, before the pandemic, with the United Kingdom being the main country of origin and destination for flights.

The annual inflation rate in Portugal slowed from 3.6% in September to 2.1% in October, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).

Twenty wine producers from the Alentejo already bear the ‘seal’ of sustainable production from the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission, unprecedented in Portugal, which places the region among the ‘best in the world’ in the area of sustainability.

Moviinn, a specialised relocation and integration service for expatriates and companies moving to Portugal, has announced the launch of its digital platform in the Brazilian market. The platform, accessible at https://www.moviinn.com/pt-br, aims to simplify the process of moving abroad.

Coloplast, a Danish medical devices manufacturer, will invest around 100m€ in a new industrial facility in Portugal, which is expected to start operation by 2026 and will become the group’s largest plant. This is a new investment project whose decision process was supported by AICEP.

Terceira Island in the Azores, has been chosen to host the first analogous space mission to Mars.

RWE is successfully expanding its solar business in the Iberian region, with the recent commissioning of the Morgavel solar photovoltaic farm in Portugal.

Health systems in the OECD are under renewed financial pressure, owing to competing priorities for public funding, according to a new OECD report. 

Countries should significantly scale-up efforts to strengthen initial education systems and provide improved upskilling and reskilling opportunities for lifelong learning, to ensure skills available respond more effectively to the needs in the labour market.

Among the technology companies interested in opening offices in Porto, those in the areas of video games, insurance and banking stand out, due to the new trends in cryptocurrencies and blockchain.

The municipality of Lagos received the award for "Destination of Excellence" in this year's edition of the prestigious Swiss Tourism Awards.

The objective is to become the "largest aerospace engineering company operating in Lisbon".

SPI participation in the PREVENTABLE Project CONSORTIUM MEETING & GENERAL ASSEMBLY held by Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IDIBGI) on 27th-28th October 2023 in Girona, Spain.

Tetra Pak announces its collaboration with AB Biotek Human Nutrition & Health to introduce a range of innovative postbiotic food  solutions.

The inauguration of Air Liquide and Siemens Energy Gigawatt electrolyzer factory paves the way to renewable hydrogen development at scale.

Portugal is ranked 5th country in the world that searches the most for luxury handbag brands.

Vodafone invests EUR 60 million in a new digital asset broker company that will be based in Lisbon and headquartered in London through a joint-venture with Sumitomo. The new company, Pairpoint, is the result of two years of development work within Vodafone.

The Scale to Southeast Asia with Singapore masterclass aims to connect with investors, corporates and policymakers, and learn from startups that have successfully leveraged programmes in Singapore to scale their businesses. This masterclass will take place at Web Summit on 14 November (14:00 - 14:45, Room 3, Masterclass area).

Two of the winning collections came from designers with no fashion background. First-place winner, José Sabral, who calls his new brand Paatiff, has a background in architecture, as did the second-place winner, Matilde Mariano, whose brand is called Molnm. Both are from Portugal.

Embraer expects a massive revenue bump in the coming years as its Portuguese maintenance affiliate OGMA begins ramping up work on Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW1000G geared turbofan (GTF) engines.

Renewable energy production in Portugal reached a new high, exceeding consumption needs for 149 hours in a row, said the energy manager REN on Monday.

The Portuguese team TWIZ from NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA) secured 1st Place in the Alexa TaskBot Challenge 2 and won a $500,000 prize.

After opening his first hotel in March, Christian Louboutin is once again betting on Portugal.

Clairvoyant Therapeutics announced it has reached an agreement in principle to base its European headquarters in Portugal as the flagship company in Empowered Startups’ Mental Health & Addiction Cluster.

On the 15th and 16th of November, Extrusal will be present at Metal Madrid, the leading event in metal manufacturing, machining, and processing, held in Madrid.

Visit Portugal announced its participation, with the largest-ever delegation of 108 Portuguese tourism companies, in the World Travel Market, one of the most influential events in the global tourism industry.

Cork has been used as a closure for thousands of years.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic, Augusto Santos Silva considered the Azores to be “one of the best laboratories in the world” for deep sea research.

An unprecedented scientific investigation underway at the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, in Lisbon, will assess the impact of climate change on these monuments that are more than 500 years old.

Portugal is the 20th most admired nation in the world out of 62 countries analysed by the Nation Brands Index 2023.

Portugal's renewable energy plants generated enough electricity to meet 67% of the country's power demand in October, national grid operator Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN) said last week.

EDP Renovaveis SA saw its recurring net profit increase 12% year-on-year to EUR 467 million (USD 495.9m) in the first nine months of 2023.

German energy major RWE AG on Monday announced the commissioning of its first solar farm in Portugal, a 46-MW facility located in Morgavel, Sines, in the southern part of the country.