TOP TEN Reasons to Invest in Portugal

Transcription

1 TOP TEN Reasons to Invest in Portugal October 2012

2 Reasons to Invest in Portugal Qualified, Motivated, Flexible and innovation-oriented Human Resources High Quality of Logistics, road, airport and seaport infrastructures Competitive operational costs in the European context Privileged historical, cultural and economic relations with Portuguese speaking countries Excellent location working as strategic platform for all continents Office and Industrial space available across the country Reliable and excellent Telecommunications Network Strong measures towards labor flexibility Government efforts towards business-friendly environment Excellent Quality of Life

3 Qualified, Motivated, Flexible and innovation-oriented Human Resources LANGUAGE SKILLS FLEXIBLE MOTIVATED HIGHLY QUALIFIED English is the second language from 1st grade. Half a million foreigners legally live in Portugal, which means a native language pool available. A considerable percentage of Portuguese are able to hold a conversation in one foreign language besides their mother language. English, French and Spanish are the most spoken foreign languages: The number of enrolled in tertiary education has been increasing over time achieving in 2009/2010 almost students. Social science, science, maths and computers represent more than 50%. The number of University graduates has also been increasing at a rate of 8%. 4 U.S. Universities in Portugal for partnerships in higher education and cutting-edge R&D.

4 High Quality of Logistics, road, airport and seaport infrastructures 4 International airports in the mainland with regular daily passenger flights to all European countries, South, Central and North America, and Africa. AIRPORTS SEAPORTS Portugal ranks 34 th (out of 155 countries) in the World Bank s Logistics Performance Index main sea ports (out of 7) in the mainland, all receiving international traffic; Deep-sea water port of SINES: Post-Panamax Vessels; over 26 Million Tons in 2011 handled. One of the most developed roadway systems in Europe; According to OECD, Portugal is in the TOP3 European countries with the biggest motorway length per capita. ROADWAY RAILWAY 4 international rail lines exiting Portugal; Logistics chain, with railroad-ports terminals spread throughout the country; The cargo activity has increased by 40% in the period.

5 Competitive operational costs in the European context Natural Gas Electricity Labor Costs Real Estate Inflation 98,43% of natural gas customers not affected with interruptions 45% of total electricity produced in Portugal is green Minimum wage for Portugal in 2012 is 565.8/ month. In Lisbon, prime rents have decreased by 2.6% in the period. Consumer prices have remained stable and in April 2012, already one of the lowest in Europe 8,4 7,6 10,4 9, Prices for Industrial use, 2010 /Gj Prices for Industrial use, 2010 /100 Kw Eurostat, Labor cost index, 4ºQT 2011 /sqm pa, Prime Office Rents Q1 2012, European Office Property Clock Jones Lang Lasalle Consumer Prices Indices in 2011, 2005=100 OECD Statistics Tax reduction for energy-efficient certified buildings; tax incentives for productive investment and R&D; and municipal taxes reduction for strategic investment projects.

6 Privilege historical, cultural and economic relations with Portuguese speaking countries Portugal has important bilateral agreements in place between Portuguese speaking countries which are aim to promote economic and cultural relations, promote the language and mutual cooperation. 250 Million People speaking the same language; Cultural and historical relations; promotion of the Portuguese language ANGOLA S. TOMÉ BRAZIL CAPE VERDE Economic relations: Brazil, Angola and Mozambique are part of the Top 10 major Portuguese FDI recipients. In terms of foreign trade, Angola is Portugal s 4 th major client. Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guiné- Bissau, S. Tomé e Príncipe, Brazil, Portugal, East Timor, all covering 4 different continents. MOZAMBIQUE EAST TIMOR GUINÉ BISSAU Source:

7 Excellent location working as strategic platform for all continents Portugal is the nearest European country to the US; 3 hours from Brazilian and Russian time zones; Same time zone as UK and Ireland; 1 hour difference from Central European Time. At West, we provide a transatlantic bridge to the Americas. We have an open door to the Atlantic ocean being a strategic point for important international traffic canals. At East, we are a privileged entry point for the EU as well as strategic platform into the African markets and Portuguese Speaking countries.

8 Office and Industrial space available across the country The real estate market in Portugal is greatly developed, positioning itself at the level of major European hubs, with high levels of quality, transparency and dynamism. OFFICE MARKET In June 2010, Lisbon office market registered a supply of more than 4 million sqm, with a vacancy rate of nearly 10%. INDUSTRIAL MARKET The industrial areas are mostly located in industrial parks, which are well located, with excellent access, great infrastructures and social and public facilities. In the Greater Lisbon area, the overall supply of industrial space is relatively high, offering an area of around 12 million sqm (in June 2010). On the same date, the market vacancy rate was in the order of 15%. Building certification in energy efficiency is now compulsory and in 2010, buildings are already certificated. 25% of the buildings have A+, A and B classifications.

9 Reliable and excellent Telecommunications Network Competitive Costs Portugal ranks in 9th place (out of 30) in terms of lowest broadband price, according to Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, 2008 Coverage According to the European Commission, 95% of the country has total DSL coverage. Portugal is the country in the EU where more internet access areas are available. Broadband Penetration Broadband Internet is spreading very fast across the country - at a rate of 24.5% - with the help of optic fiber. Portugal is ranked in the Top 20 countries with more use of optic fiber technologies. Speed Lines Telecommunications speed lines are also very competitive. Portugal is ranked in 7th place in fastest speed lines (ITIF 2008). Next Generation Network NGN is being deployed over the country and the goal was achieved: 1Million users in 2010 as well as schools and public institutions. It is already boosting the telecommunications services and the fiber optic industry in Portugal. ICT for all 31% of the population makes a regular use of Internet. 90% of public services are online. 98% of large size companies and 90% of medium size companies have broad band connection to the Internet.

10 Strong measures towards labor flexibility Less 4 public holidays starting in 2013; Regarding holidays, the 3 extra days for attendance reward will be eliminated from 2013; The hour bank system during production peaks can be negotiated directly with the workers; Overtime work payment will be reduced by 50% and employees are not entitled to paid time off in lieu;

11 Government efforts towards business-friendly environment GOVERNMENT SUPPORT Commercial Register Online Companies can update or record formal acts online: 50% cost reduction and no need for physical presence. Simplified Company Information Submitting financial and accounting information required by public bodies in one step: filling of a single form, available online. On the spot company In January 2010, the average time to set up a company was of 35 minutes: this service enables to set up companies at a single contact point, without filling any application form. Financial Incentives Fiscal Incentives Training Incentives R&D Incentives Internships Grants Job creation incentives Customized incentives package Government Agency with dynamic approach focused on the client or investor; Free of charges, flexible and streamlined services; Single point of contact in all phases: pre-investment, incentives negotiation, settling in and after care; Promoting a direct negotiation with investors. The United Nations Public Service Awards granted Portugal with 1st prize in Improving the Delivery in Public Services category in May According to the World Bank, in 2012 Aicep is in the TOP 10 (out of 189 countries) Worldwide Investment Agency in inquiry-handling to potential investors.

12 Excellent Quality of Life Portugal is not only a good country to invest but also a most desirable place to live. A place to visit and enjoy. You can find here a safe country, environmentally responsible, with privileged nature, rich leisure and culture and with high quality healthcare facilities. GOLF ART NATURE SUN & SEA FOOD & WINE CULTURE Full range of services: international schools, attractive housing, shopping malls, recreational and cultural facilities. Among the sites inscribed in the World Heritage List of UNESCO, 13 are located in Portugal. In terms of quality of life for employees, Lisbon is ranked in 14 th out of 34 cities (European Cities Monitor 2009). With more than 30 golf courses, Algarve was twice voted the world s best golfing destination.

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