Portugal has to take advantage of what is happening in France and Germany. “It’s the law of life”, says Montenegro

“I don’t wish harm on any country, much less our partners in the European Union, but others have also taken advantage of Portugal’s situation.”

The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, considered this Monday that the country’s security “is an important economic asset”, which must be managed with “responsibility and prudence”.

“Safety must be ensured and preserved, because it is very important for people’s quality of life, but also as an economic assetdifferentiating, on the positive side, in attracting and securing investment in the country”, said the ruler.

Luís Montenegro addressed the topic in an intervention given to workers at the semiconductor company Amkor, in Vila do Conde, Porto district, which he visited this morning, reiterating that Security is a differentiating factor from Portugal to leverage investments.

“When we speak, insistently and responsibly, about the need to preserve Portugal as one of the safest countries in the world, it is thinking about people, social dynamics, but also the economic competitiveness that we can draw in comparison with other geographies. Being responsible, prudent and preventive in this area is essential for us to be able to leverage investments”, he stated.

“We are today a reference in Europe. I know it’s sometimes hard to believe, but it’s true”, reinforced the prime minister.

Montenegro pointed out that the year 2025 will be a “turning point for Portugal, with the key word of investment”, considering that the country has to “seize the opportunity of today being in better conditions than others”.

“We are a reference for financial stability, to which we add political stability”.

Luís Montenegro recalled that Portugal went through a “great test of overcoming, to now be at the level of the best performers” in Europe, considering that the country must capitalize on this moment.

“Just last week we put debt on the market in ten years, and we had a better interest rate than Belgium. We have our public finances in better condition than France and Germanyindeed”, said the governor.

“I do not wish harm on any country, much less our partners in the European Union, but 15 years ago we were in difficult circumstances and the others [países] they took advantage of that. Now the opposite is happening: there are others in difficulties and we are in good condition, we have to take advantage of that. It is the law of life. It’s the law of life”, he analyzed.

Speaking of a multinational technology company that is one of the largest employers in the municipality of Vila do Conde, and which emerged after the dissolution of the former Qimonda, and which is investing in expanding its facilities and hiring more workers, the Prime Minister stressed the need for the country to “create conditions to young people so that they believe and settle in our country and help boost companies and the economy”.

“The government is committed to making Portugal an example of a country that enhances its human capital and makes it multiply the creation of wealth through connection with innovation and the ability to do better, being at the forefront and with differentiated products on the market, to compete with other geographies and industrial contexts whose production factors are more favorable”, concluded Luís Montenegro.