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Gateway for East-West trade
Lisbon plans to develop fast road, rail and sea links to the mass markets of Iberia.
Portugal's free-market economic policies and its geographic location between Europe, Africa and the Americas make it a natural hub for international trade between the three continents.
The seaports of Lisbon and Aveiro are ideally situated to serve the main maritime routes of commerce. "We are the logical gateway for products coming from America and Brazil to Europe and Africa, and we're creating all of the conditions to increase our trade with the United States," says Manuel Frasquilho, the president of the Port of Lisbon Authority.
Well sheltered and deep, the port handles traffic from the East and the West, and a new regular shipping line connects Lisbon to Shanghai, the largest city in China in terms of population. Lisbon emphasizes that it is also the first port that vessels from Asia reach in
In addition to its extensive cargo facilities, the Port of Lisbon Authority is constructing a new passenger terminal that will accommodate five vessels, enabling the port to handle substantially more passengers than the 300,000 who passed through last year.
The Port of Aveiro, to the north of Lisbon, is the focus of the first railroad collaboration between Portugal and Spain. Aveiro offers the most direct path to the Spanish city of Salamanca, 200 miles to the east, and a high-speed railroad between the two cities is under construction.
As part of this plan, Aveiro's port authority is developing a logistics zone that combines rail, road and sea "Our platform is a standing invitation to companies looking to access the Iberian market," says Luis Marques, the port's administrator.
Alberto Castanho, of the Portuguese railway authority, says the high-speed rail service will offer fast access to the mass markets of the Iberian interior and will be "the final stepping stone to making Portugal a premier logistics destination."
Corbis/Hans Georg Roth
Treasure islands
Financial incentives and the potential for tourism growth make the Azores prime for investment.
The islands of the Azores offer a paradise for investors as well as for tourists. Not only do they have sapphire-blue lakes, big-game fishing and golf for the pleasure of visitors, but they offer what the islands' government claims to be Europe's lowest tax rate.
"We charge 30% less in taxes than the mainland, and our VAT terms are also generally 30% lower," says Sérgio Humberto Rocha de Ávila, vice president of the government of the Azores, which were declared an autonomous region of Portugal in 1976.
Corbis/Hans Georg Roth
In addition, numerous incentives are available for investors, including 85% government aid in some cases. The islands can offer such attractive terms, he says, because they have completed most investment in infrastructure; the government maintains a balanced budget; and the islands enjoy political stability.
"Because we do not need funds for infrastructure projects until 2015, the government has nearly €1.5 billion "says Rocha de Ávila. "The government will support any investment as long as it does not undermine nature and environmental quality and is sustainable."
Corbis/Franz-Marc Frei
The Azores consist of an archipelago of nine islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 1,000 miles from Europe andmore than 2,000miles from North America.
"Our islands are a nature lover's paradise," says Isabel Barata, director of tourism. "We have whale watching, endless volcanoes, wonderful waterfalls and some of the best hot springs in the world, as well as a full range of water sports."
What the islands need, she says, is an increase in the number of tourist beds. Investment is therefore required in the development of small-scale and highclass accommodations for visitors.
Sunny outlook
A market leader in traditional and renewable energies moves toward a greener future.
While Portugal is noted as a renewable energies powerhouse, thanks to major multinational companies such as EDP, it is at the micro level that one sees the national commitment to generating cleaner energy.
Just look down from any tall hotel and you will see a myriad of solar and photovoltaic (PV) units dotting red-brick roofs. At the front of this micro movement is Digal, the leading distributor of solar panels in Portugal.
The company has a first-class distribution network and solid financial backing through its involvement in gas distribution. Artur Caracol, president of Digal Gas, explains, "Digal Gas is the mother company that includes solar products and gas products. It was born as a distributor from Shell, and right now we're a company working in both traditional and renewable energy. We want to make a transition to greener energies and find value in this business."
In renewable energy, specifically the solar and PV side, Digal has established itself as a market leader in Portugal and is most notable for its distribution of Solahart solar units. Solahart has become a reference point in solar energy, and is one of the few solar companies that boasts global distribution and strong brand awareness.
At the core of its success is its consistent technological development, which offers a superior return on investment for customers. For example, Solahart models sold by Digal in Portugal come with a ten-year warranty against default, which virtually assures that users get their money back through the amount they save on heating water, as well as turn a profit and contribute to lessening the use of fossil fuels in energy generation.
"Studies have shown that most systems, with a little bit of maintenance, last far beyond the warranty period, meaning additional savings for end users," says Caracol. "Digal also ensures that when a customer orders a unit, it can be installed within 24 hours."
Caracol is confident that his company is well positioned to keep growing in an increasingly competitive national and regional market. "The stability of our network will help us beat any onslaught of competition. Our know-how, both of the products and of the local market, makes us a key part of the whole process," he says. "Our network is recognized for both its size and quality in Portugal, and we entertain many offers by manufacturers to distribute their products."