By Sergio Goncalves
LISBON (Reuters) – The Portuguese state body that promotes investments for export-focused projects garnered deals last year worth 10 times more than in 2023, showing the country remains attractive for foreign companies, the Economy Ministry said on Monday.
The ministry’s AICEP division, which offers tax breaks and other incentives for exports and investment, drew 420 million euros ($437.22 million) of such investments in 2024, compared to just 41 million euros in 2023, the ministry said in a statement.
“This important set of contracted investments, in strategic sectors with strong creation of qualified jobs, is proof of investors’ confidence in Portugal,” Economy Minister Pedro Reis said.
New projects in 2024 included investments across U.S. semiconductor packaging company Amkor Technology, German engineering giant Bosch and powertrain producer Horse, a joint venture between Renault and Geely that in Portugal produces gearboxes and mechanical components for cars.
Other relevant projects were in the pharmaceutical industry and information technologies.
The new projects are expected to directly create more than a thousand jobs, the ministry said.
It said that the “very significant increase in investment contracts will allow the Portuguese economy to start 2025 with good prospects, in a challenging external environment”.
An export push and a tourism boom have contributed heavily to Portugal’s recovery from its 2011-14 debt crisis and bailout.
Despite slowing economic activity across the 20-nation euro zone, and political instability in Germany and France, Portugal’s economy is expected to grow 2.1% this year after 1.8% in 2024, the government says, with accelerating investment backed by European Union funding, and a rise in exports as well.
AICEP provides incentives, tax breaks and loans from EU cohesion funds to companies only in export-oriented businesses.
($1 = 0.9606 euros)
(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; editing by Mark Heinrich)
