AICEP - Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency

🚀 Portugal’s exports of military-use goods have surged in recent years, reflecting a growing role in high-value defence industries. Between 2022 and 2025, exports increased by 77%, nearly doubling since the start of the war in Ukraine. While traditional weapons and components continue to account for the largest share, Portuguese-made drones are gaining significant momentum and now represent around 20% of total exports. The United States remains the leading destination, reinforcing Portugal's position as a trusted supplier in international defence markets. This trajectory highlights the country’s expanding technological capabilities and its integration into global value chains in strategic sectors.

♻️🧻Renova is preparing to launch a new premium toilet paper made from recycled textiles, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and product differentiation. Founded in 1939, Renova has built its international presence by transforming a traditionally low-involvement product into a distinctive brand experience. From the launch of its iconic black toilet paper to bold colour innovations, the company has consistently challenged industry norms. Now, by combining recycled fibres with AI-supported development processes, Renova is advancing towards more sustainable and high-value solutions, already attracting interest from demanding Northern European markets. With a strong footprint in key international markets, including France, where it holds a leading position, the Portuguese brand continues to prove that innovation and branding can drive global competitiveness. 🚀 Know more: portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2026/m…

🚀Portugal grants Europe’s first commercial space re-entry licence. Issued by ANACOM to ATMOS Space Cargo, it enables the controlled return of a spacecraft from orbit to the Azores in 2026. A new step for Europe’s space capabilities. 🛰️🌍 Know more: portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2026/m…

🇵🇹🍷 Portuguese wines continue to earn global recognition. A total of 18 Portuguese wines have been selected for the World's Best Sommeliers' Selection 2026, a global tasting conducted by leading sommeliers from 17 countries across six continents, including experts from The The World's 50 Best Restaurants network. 🍇🌍 Portugal’s presence in this international selection highlights the diversity and quality of its wine regions, from indigenous white varieties to iconic fortified wines. The selected wines come from producers including Quinta do Vallado, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta dos Carvalhais, Quinta de Azevedo, Quinta de Soalheiro, Casa Ferreirinha, Quinta da Côrte, Quinta das Carvalhas, Justino's Madeira Wines, SA and Sandeman. Know more: portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2026/f…

🇵🇹⚙️ Spanish company Exlabesa Industry has announced a €40 million investment to expand its aluminium extrusion plant in Soure, in Portugal’s Coimbra region. 🏭 Under the “Exlabesa Coimbra 2030” project, the facility will triple its area to 30,000 m² and increase production capacity from 16,000 to 45,000 tonnes per year, reinforcing the region’s role as a strategic hub for the aluminium industry in Europe. The investment includes new extrusion presses and advanced production technologies, enabling the plant to manufacture aluminium profiles for higher-value-added sectors such as naval, defence, and mobility. 📈 Over the next four years, the expansion will create 300 new jobs, bringing the total to 100, while also strengthening sustainability efforts, with recycled aluminium expected to increase from 60% to 90%. This project highlights Portugal’s attractiveness for international industrial investment and advanced manufacturing. Know more: portugalglobal.pt/investimento/p…

🍾🏭 Portugal is the largest per capita producer of glass packaging in Europe, with 145 kg per inhabitant, reinforcing the country’s strong industrial capacity in this sector. Portugal’s glass industry produces four times more glass packaging than the domestic market can absorb, highlighting its clear export orientation and international reach. 📦 Beverage containers account for around 81% of all glass packaging placed on the national market. Within this category, beer and wine bottles represent 71%, reflecting the close connection between glass manufacturing and Portugal’s beverage and wine industries. A sector where industrial expertise, strong export capacity and globally recognised beverage industries come together. Know more: portugalglobal.pt/en/investment/…

📈🇵🇹 Portugal’s Health Cluster exports reached a new all-time high of €5.653 billion in 2025, marking a remarkable 37.9% growth compared to 2024, previously the strongest year on record. The sector now represents 7.1% of Portugal's total international trade in goods, reinforcing its strategic weight in the country's export profile. 🌍🔬 Pharmaceutical preparations account for 85.2% of total exports, followed by medical instruments at 10.5%, base pharmaceutical products at 3.8%, and equipment at 0.5%. Germany is the leading destination market, followed by the United States, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Angola, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. Despite this export momentum, the Health Cluster's trade balance remains traditionally negative. In 2025, the sector recorded a deficit of €3.345 billion, with imports totalling €8.998 billion and an export coverage rate of 62.8%.

🇵🇹🥈 Natixis in Portugal’ Centre of Expertise in Porto has been recognised by the Financial Times as Europe's second most impactful mid-sized investment project, in the fDi Intelligence Investment Impact Awards. Part of Groupe BPCE, Natixis established its technology centre in Porto to support global operations through advanced IT, digital platforms and financial services solutions. Today, the hub employs around 2,500 highly skilled professionals from more than 40 nationalities, standing as one of the city’s largest private employers. 🌍🚀 The project’s long-term impact goes beyond job creation. Through strong partnerships with local universities and business schools, including around 200 internships per year, Natixis is helping to strengthen Porto’s talent pipeline and reinforce the city’s knowledge-based economy. This distinction highlights not only the scale and strategic relevance of the investment but also Portugal’s ability to attract and retain high-value financial technology and innovation projects. Know more: portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2026/f…

👞🇵🇹 The Portuguese footwear industry is featured in Forbes as a global reference for sustainable luxury manufacturing. The article highlights Portugal’s long-standing expertise in footwear production, combining artisanal heritage, advanced industrial capacity and a strong commitment to measurable sustainability. From slow-fashion principles to automation, digital design, and innovative materials, Portuguese manufacturers are reshaping how luxury footwear is produced responsibly and at scale. 🌱 This positioning was reinforced at an industry conference organised by APICCAPS, where leaders discussed how innovation and craftsmanship can evolve together, supported by transparency, traceability, and long-term investment. Portugal continues to strengthen its role as a trusted manufacturing hub for leading international brands, showing that sustainability is built through concrete processes, technology and know-how, not narratives. Know more: forbes.com/sites/tianaran…

🌍 A AICEP, com o apoio da APED - Associação Portuguesa de Empresas de Distribuição, organizou, na sede da WPP, o Seminário “O Setor da Distribuição em Portugal”, no âmbito da missão empresarial a Portugal de uma delegação da SHOP! Brasil. A iniciativa reuniu mais de 60 empresários brasileiros, entre decisores e responsáveis de insígnias e empresas de retalho, com o objetivo de aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a economia portuguesa, as relações económicas Portugal-Brasil e as principais tendências e desafios do setor da distribuição em Portugal. Na sessão de abertura, o Administrador Executivo da AICEP, Paulo Rios de Oliveira, destacou o papel da Agência como parceiro estratégico na atração de investimento e na internacionalização das empresas, bem como o posicionamento de Portugal enquanto plataforma privilegiada de acesso ao mercado europeu. Seguiu-se a intervenção do Head of Public Affairs da APED, João Vaz Tomé, que apresentou uma visão abrangente sobre a estrutura e dinâmica do setor da distribuição em Portugal, identificando tendências estruturais e desafios futuros. O Seminário contou ainda com a participação do Professor Luis Guimarães, da Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, que abordou o tema “Da Automação à Orquestração: Inteligência Artificial para um Retalho Mais Inteligente e Resiliente”, sublinhando o papel da inteligência artificial na eficiência, competitividade e sustentabilidade das empresas do setor. Paralelamente, a AICEP promoveu reuniões bilaterais com empresas da delegação brasileira, explorando oportunidades concretas de negócio e investimento em Portugal. 🤝 Esta iniciativa reforça o diálogo económico entre Portugal e o Brasil e consolida o posicionamento de Portugal como mercado competitivo, inovador e aberto ao investimento internacional.

🚀 Portugal strengthens its innovation ecosystem with 12 start-up hubs recognised among Europe’s leading centres in the 2026 “Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs” ranking by the Financial Times, developed with Statista and Sifted. 🇵🇹 The Portuguese hubs distinguished are: ▪ @unicornfactoryl ▪ @lispolis_ ▪ The Fintech House ▪ @StartUpBraga ▪ Build Up Labs ▪ Startup Leiria ▪ Business Factory ▪ Canopy Community ▪ @casadoimpacto ▪ @uptecporto ▪ @StartupMadeira ▪ Bgi Sustainable Ventures The ranking evaluates hubs operating in Europe since at least 2021 and running incubation or acceleration programmes, combining alumni feedback, expert assessments and start-up track record. Portugal continues to consolidate its position as a competitive European base for innovation-driven investment and entrepreneurial growth. 🌍💡📈

Portugal ranks 3rd in the @OECD Digital Government Index 2025 🇵🇹🚀 Up from 11th place in 2023, Portugal is now among the world’s leaders in public sector digital transformation 🌍💻 ✔️ Simpler, integrated digital public services ✔️ Data-driven policymaking ✔️ Citizen- and business-centred approach A strong digital ecosystem. A competitive and investment-ready environment. Read the full OECD report 👇 oecd.org/en/publication…

⚡ Portugal is powering Europe’s energy transition! In January, 80.7% of mainland electricity came from renewables — ranking 2nd in Europe (source: APREN – Portuguese Renewable Energy Association). 💧🌬️☀️ 4,420 GWh of clean energy produced and 210 hours fully covered by renewables. 📈 A dynamic, competitive market ready for sustainable energy investment. #InvestInPortugal #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #Portugal

🚁 Portugal strengthens its position in defence innovation as TEKEVER is selected to help the British Armed Forces design a new generation of drones to support Apache helicopters in attack missions. Invited to present a design under the NYX project, Tekever will contribute to the development of advanced Unmanned Air Systems capable of operating alongside Apache helicopters in complex battlefield scenarios. These next generation drones are expected to support missions through reconnaissance and scouting in disputed areas, target acquisition and attack coordination, and electronic warfare operations. Powered by artificial intelligence, the systems will be able to take independent decisions within predefined mission parameters, adapting in real time to dynamic and high-risk environments. The objective is clear: increase operational efficiency while reducing risk exposure and the logistical burden on human-operated systems. Portugal continues to demonstrate its technological capability in high-value sectors, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in advanced defence solutions. 🇵🇹🤖

📊 Data centres emerged as the #1 global greenfield FDI sector in 2025 for the first time, according to @fDiIntelligence, signalling a profound structural shift in the real economy and global investment patterns. 🔍 This trend highlights several key developments: ⚡ Energy has become a decisive factor for digital infrastructure projects, with location choices increasingly driven by the combination of reliable power + connectivity. 🤖 AI-driven demand for computing capacity is reshaping investment geography, concentrating capital in regions capable of supporting large-scale, energy-intensive infrastructure. 🌱 The right balance of sustainable energy, predictable permitting, robust connectivity, and political and regulatory stability is now critical to attracting the next wave of global investment. 💰 In 2025, global data-centre-related FDI reached record levels, underlining the strategic importance of this sector in the new investment cycle. 🏗️ Digital transformation is no longer abstract. The foundations of the emerging gigawatt economy are tangible - built on concrete, steel, power lines, substations and connectivity networks. 🌍 The question is no longer where computation will live, but how societies and territories will live with it, ensuring growth, sustainability and long-term value creation. 👉 Source: fDi Intelligence – 2025 Investment Matrix

Portugal at the forefront of naval innovation. The NRP D. João II will be Europe’s first warship purpose-built to operate unmanned aerial, surface and underwater systems. 🚢 With 107.6 metres and delivery scheduled for the second half of this year, the €132M project — largely supported by EU recovery funds — marks a new paradigm in naval defence. 🔹 Integrated deployment of air, surface & underwater drones 🔹 High operational flexibility 🔹 Mission profile change in just one week 🔹 Agile, cost-efficient alternative to traditional aircraft carriers The D. João II strengthens Portugal’s role as a strategic European partner in advanced defence and maritime security solutions. 📸 @MarinhaPT #Portugal #Innovation #Defence #Maritime #AICEP

📍 Sidi, based in Santo Tirso, is a Portuguese textile manufacturing company that directly produced the jersey worn by Bad Bunny during his performance. The piece — featuring the artist’s name and number — was entirely made locally in the final days of January, specifically for the event.

🇵🇹 Made in Portugal on the world’s biggest stage! When millions watched Bad Bunny at the @SuperBowl , the custom Zara jersey he wore was produced in Santo Tirso by Portuguese textile company Sidi. 👏 This is a clear example of Portuguese companies delivering excellence to global brands and events. Bad Bunny personally thanked the factory collaborators — a tribute to the talent behind the craft that reached millions. 🌍 #MadeInPortugal #AICEP #GlobalExcellence 📸 Sidi Group