When bridges become institutions! Portugal and Saudi Arabia take another concrete step

The signing of the memorandum between ANJE and SDCI - Strategic Deals Company for Investment, which will allow the creation of ANJE Saudi Arabia, is exactly one of these moments. It is not just another protocol. It is the materialisation of a path built with persistence, trust and long-term vision between Portugal and Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony will take place today, 22 January, in Porto, and takes place in the context of the third official visit of a delegation of Saudi businessmen to Portugal, promoted by the Saudi Arabia-Portugal Business Council, under the leadership of its President on the Portuguese side, Abilio da Alagôa Silva, and on the Saudi side, its President, the successful businessman Alwalid Albaltan.

But this time, there is clearly a difference in maturity. We are no longer at the stage of mutual recognition or feeling the initial ground. We are in a phase of commercial and economic structuring between the two countries, during which permanent platforms are being established to support companies, entrepreneurs, and concrete projects.

The future ANJE Saudi Arabia was born with a clear ambition: to support entrepreneurship, innovation and the internationalisation of Portuguese companies in the Saudi market, through bilateral business missions, innovation programs and a local presence that makes all the difference in a market where institutional access, knowledge of the field and personal trust are crucial. It is precisely here that this initiative gains special relevance.

I have been closely following this initiative since its beginning in January 2025, and I cannot fail to highlight the role of my friend Alwalid Albaltan, chairman of the Saudi Arabia-Portugal Business Council and a reference shareholder of SDCI. Because, in addition to the position, there is a genuine dedication to Portugal, a constant curiosity about our business fabric, and a real desire to create concrete, sustainable opportunities. Over several conversations I had with him in Riyadh and Oeiras last year, it became clear to me that this relationship goes beyond the institutional level. It is built on mutual respect, personal affinity, and a shared vision of what can be done together.

On the Portuguese side, ANJE takes a significant strategic step, as this initiative reinforces the association’s international positioning and provides another way for national companies to get closer to one of the most dynamic markets in the world, in line with Vision 2030.

What seems truly relevant to me at the moment is not just the immediate economic potential, but the coherence of a long-term vision that is now beginning to materialise. The creation of ANJE Saudi Arabia represents a clear paradigm shift: the logic of one-off initiatives is left behind, and progress is being made towards building a lasting relational and operational infrastructure capable of reducing risks, accelerating processes, and bringing business cultures closer together. For Portugal, it is another consistent step in a strategy of international affirmation based on trust and credibility. For Saudi Arabia, it is openness to talent, innovation, and reliable partners, with a real desire to build together.

It is important, however, to remember that these bridges do not appear out of nowhere, nor are they built overnight. They are the result of effort and presence, persistence, and passion for the cause. Long before any public framework or institutional initiative, it was within the Luso-Arab Chamber of Commerce, then chaired by Luís Filipe Menezes, and through the tireless work of Abílio Alagôa da Silva, that entrepreneurs and decision-makers began to meet, exchange ideas and explore, as is in our DNA, new horizons and new opportunities. That was the starting point. What we see today taking institutional form is, above all, the natural continuity of this pioneering effort, marked by human relations, strategic vision, and a deep belief in Portugal’s potential in the world.