“French investors are confident and continue to bet on Portugal” – O Jornal Económico
Portugal may not be, “necessarily the [destino] more advantageous “in terms of taxation for investments, but there are other factors that attract the French, such as the fact that they have systems designed specifically for investors, the level of education and language skills, as well as the close relationship between academia and companies, says the president of the Luso-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCILF). This is reflected in the top position that France occupies among the countries that invest the most in Portugal, but, especially, in the ranking of trade exchanges. Also in the investment projects that are becoming known.
On the occasion of the 27th edition of the CCILF Trophies, which mark the return of the gala, Fabrice Lachize highlights, in an interview to Jornal Económico, the role that this event plays as a meeting point for the French-Portuguese business community. And yet another factor that adds to the preference of French investors: “Portugal is a host country par excellence”, he says.
How has French direct investment evolved in Portugal?
France is a very important trading partner for Portugal and its position in the “top 5” has been consolidated year after year.
The good existing bilateral relations, both political and commercial, foster trust between the two countries. French investors are confident and continue to invest, a trend that is reflected in the growing number of investments made in recent years.
Are there the conditions in terms of fiscal, administrative and legal environment for launching new projects?
The “Covid period” and how its consequences on the functioning of the administration does not help to help the companies fast, however, things are progressively returning to the normal installation.
With regard to taxation, companies that intend to set up in Portugal may consider that the country is not necessarily the most advantageous, however, there are measures designed to attract foreign investors. The country also has an excellent level of education and an advanced command of foreign languages.
Relations between universities and companies are much more developed than in France, which allows the creation of innovative projects at controlled costs. Likewise, municipalities are making great efforts to reduce or even cancel local taxation, in order to allow companies to establish themselves in their territories, thus making the region more dynamic and creating jobs. In these cases, CCILF has an important advisory role in the validation of projects and in monitoring companies in their implementation process.
What is expected for the coming years in terms of new French companies or French investment in Portugal?
What needs to change to generate greater interest from investors, in addition to legal and tax issues?
We know that French investment in real estate remains very high. Today, French companies invest in all sectors of the economy: automobile, aeronautics, distribution, agri-food, financial and technological IT, call centers and tourism. But Portugal also attracts investments in more demanding market niches, such as the medical and energy sectors.
As I said before, professional skills are well present in Portugal., But the labor market is scarce and as companies they are increasingly difficult to recruit. In this sense, we are working to bring together Portuguese and French higher education institutions to enable certain companies to recruit certain appropriate new talents and to whom to provide professional opportunities.
There are conditions for French citizens who are businessmen and their families
settle in Portugal?
Yes, there is no doubt that Portugal is a host country par excellence for us French and that the integration of our compatriots is taking place without the slightest difficulty.
France is one of Portugal’s main trading partners. Is the future trend to keep this record?
CCILF does everything to ensure that these business relationships continue to progress.
In the first quarter of 2021, we welcomed about 30 new companies that are in the process of being implemented and our b2b meetings [businesss to business], seminars and missions to find commercial agents for Portuguese companies wishing to export to France were a success.
What is the importance of the CCILF Trophies for the dynamics of the Portuguese economy?
Once a year, the CCILF Trophies are an opportunity to bring together a Franco-Portuguese business community.
This year was special, after a year of interruption, it was the opportunity to take stock of the economic relations between our two countries.
The trophies are obviously an opportunity for CCILF to highlight dynamic companies that are fundamental to the Franco-Portuguese market.
In the year edition, we received 55 applications this year, which constitutes a record. This record shows the growing interest of companies in our event.
What is the most outstanding Trophy for the president of CCILF?
I am particularly interested in the Investment Trophy in Portugal and the Export Trophy, as with these two awards we have a global vision of the interest that entrepreneurs have in France and Portugal.
In the last years of education of the Trophies, are there any outstanding moments of great prominence? Which your feeling when in 2020 the choice and delivery of the Trophies was interrupted due to the pandemic?
We asked ourselves whether we should continue to carry out the Trophies in digital format, but we chose not to do so, as this is an important moment of exchange and conviviality, values that we can hardly transmit through a webinar.
We were very wrong because this edition of 2021 reached the 250 participants gathered in a positive and friendly atmosphere. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary of State for Internationalization, Prof. Dr. Eurico Brilhante Dias, for his participation. During our clientsmbios, we found that bilateral trade relations are independent, the added value of our Chamber.
The changes that have taken place for next year, in terms of Trophies, namely the creation or modification of categories?
After each issue, we reflect on how to further improve this pivotal event for a CCILF. We meet regularly with our partners from AICEP Portugal Global, IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, Jornal Económico and our loyal sponsors Rubis Energia, Novobanco, Victoria Seguros and Lauak to make these trophies an unmissable event.
What is the role of CCILF in monitoring and setting up companies and entrepreneurs in Portugal? Are there any specific projects you want to highlight?
CCILF supports investors in all phases of implementation. But in addition, we have personalized services for the search for business partners, customers and suppliers, facilities, employees, etc. All this work is carried out together with the members of our network, which currently has more than 600 members. We also regularly organize sectorial forums whose objective is to bring together French and Portuguese companies to develop their businesses and meetings to promote investment in Portugal and France. We are very proud to contribute to the international development of companies.
What role did CCILF play in supporting the internationalization of Portuguese companies in France?
We are partners of many professional associations and accompany many companies during our roadshows in France or through our meetings with French agents. CCILF is also a representative of Promosalons in Portugal, whose role is to allow Portuguese businessmen to visit international fairs in France.
What is the number of CCILF members?
We surpassed 600 members, a number that remained stable during the pandemic, having increased even so. This is a sign that a CCILF, by staying close to its partners during this difficult period, has become a key business tool. vit