Minister of the Economy highlights “several business opportunities” in Riyadh

Portugal’s minister of the Economy, Castro Almeida said that Portugal had “a great variety of business opportunities” and could be an “important centre of investment” and a platform for Portuguese-speaking countries during a business roadshow in Saudi Arabia.

Addressing the Saudi-Arabia Business Forum that took place in Riyadh last week, the minister said: “”We believe that in the coming years, Saudi investment can be extended to other sectors.

Portugal offers a wide variety of business opportunities, distinctive and high quality products,” said the Portuguese minister, speaking at the Saudi Arabia-Portugal Business Forum, which took place in the Saudi capital, with the presence of more than 50 Portuguese companies.

Castro Almeida emphasised that Portugal was an “attractive country for overseas investment” – by the end of last year, Foreign Direct Investment exceeded €200Bn, representing 71% of GDP.

“More and more international investors are attracted by the highly-skilled and competitive workforce and a dynamic and innovative ecosystem, as well as political stability,” he said.

But more than just infrastructures and ports, the minister added that Portugal offers “a strategy to turn Portugal into a green and logistics centre.”

Moreover, More and more international investors are attracted by the highly skilled and competitive workforce and a dynamic and innovative ecosystem, as well as political stability,” Castro Almeida said.

Portugal, he said, could be a platform for investments in Portuguese-speaking countries, namely Brazil, and the Portuguese-speaking African countries like Angola and Mozambique as well as East Timor, all representing a market of €260 million consumers.

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