On December 15, dozens of companies and entities gathered to discuss some of the main challenges of SME internationalization, their financing, and innovation during an afternoon of networking at the Aveiro Fair and Exhibition Park, as part of the 3rd International Business Congress organized by AIDA CCI.
The opening remarks were delivered by Fernando Paiva de Castro, President of AIDA CCI, José Ribau Esteves, Mayor of Aveiro, and Bernardo Ivo Cruz, Secretary of State for Internationalization.
Fernando Paiva de Castro used the occasion to present AIDA CCI’s new image, emphasizing the importance of rebranding for the first time in 35 years to keep up with progress. He highlighted that this change was also necessary after AIDA acquired the status of Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Aveiro district in 2018. He explained that “this rebranding reflects more natural colors—the blue of the sky and sea along our coast and the green representing our ambition for a greener planet.”
Bernardo Ivo Cruz, Secretary of State for Internationalization, outlined three major challenges currently facing Portugal: digital transition, climate change, and the impact of war. He stated that in 2023, the Secretariat of State would focus on three key areas to address these challenges: economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability.
The Secretary of State also emphasized that “we must all face these difficult challenges together: the State and local authorities, businesses, business associations, universities, polytechnics and scientific research centers, civil society organizations, third-sector organizations, and public opinion. We all need to be part of this dialogue to prepare ourselves and collaborate to tackle the difficult years ahead.”
Finally, Bernardo Ivo Cruz offered a message of hope to the entrepreneurs present: “These won’t be easy years, but we are prepared because if there is one characteristic of this new economy, it is that it is based on talent, intelligence, adaptability, innovation, and creativity. And if there’s one thing Portugal has in abundance to offer and sell, it’s these characteristics.”
The program also featured seven presentations and contributions from 15 outstanding speakers.
Arnaldo Figueiredo, President of CIP’s Strategic Council for International Relations, addressed the current and future challenges of internationalizing Portuguese SMEs.
This was followed by a roundtable moderated by Carina Meireles, journalist and presenter at Porto Canal. Participants included Fernanda Ferreira Dias (Director-General of DGAE), Carlos Tavares (Economist and former Minister of Economy), Carlos Oliveira (CEO of Fundação José Neves and former Secretary of State for Entrepreneurship, Competitiveness, and Innovation), and João Duque (President of ISEG).
To discuss how to strengthen companies’ internationalization capacity, Gilda Mendes from the communication agency No More moderated a panel featuring António Vicente (Deputy Representative of the European Commission in Portugal), Gonçalo Regalado (Marketing Director for SMEs at Millennium bcp), Gonçalo Gaspar (Deputy Director of Corporate Marketing at CGD), and Vassili Christidis (President of COSEC).
Learn more at www.congresso-internacional-negocios.com.
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