Investment doesn't end when it arrives!

Portugal has been consolidating its position as an international investment destination. Stability, European integration, available talent and the capacity of our companies are factors that contribute to this attractiveness. According to the October edition of Portugal Global magazine, AICEP contracted 3.58 billion euros in investment in 2025, the highest amount in its history.

By Paulo Lopes, in Business · 04 Nov 2026, 08:01 · 0 Comments

Credits: envato elements; Author: tatiana_bralnina;

It is a positive development that deserves recognition. But there is an issue that I consider increasingly important: the true success of a country is not only in the ability to attract investment, but in what it can do with it after it arrives.

For many years we have become accustomed to evaluating foreign investment through the amounts announced, the number of projects captured and the jobs planned. These are relevant indicators, but they do not tell the whole story. A contracted investment still needs to be implemented and, even after it is made, its economic impact depends on the activity it develops, the knowledge it incorporates and the relationship it establishes with the national economy.

A factory, a technology centre or a logistics infrastructure can represent extraordinary opportunities. But their contribution will be much greater if, in addition to creating jobs, they develop Portuguese suppliers, hire specialised services, invest in research and contribute to training new skills.

It is this ability to multiply the value of the investment that we should begin to discuss in greater depth.

We also need to look at the obstacles that arise after the announcements. The availability of prepared land, access, energy, water, housing for workers and licensing processes can determine the speed and even the viability of a project. Portugal cannot continue to promote itself internationally as a competitive destination and then allow the implementation of investments to be conditioned by administrative or infrastructural difficulties.

There is yet another dimension that is often overlooked. Attracting a new investor is important, but getting a company already established in Portugal to invest again can be equally valuable. Reinvestment demonstrates confidence, allows for increased production capacity and can transform initially limited operations into decision-making, technological development and export centres.

Therefore, I believe that our strategy for attracting investment must evolve. It is not enough to compete for the number of projects or the volume of capital. We need to understand what activities we want to capture, what skills we want to develop and what economic benefits can remain in the country in the long term.

The goal should not only be to bring international companies to Portugal, but to create conditions for these companies to find reasons to grow, innovate and establish lasting relationships with our business fabric.

Portugal has already demonstrated its ability to arouse the interest of international investors. The next challenge is to ensure that this confidence translates into successful projects, stronger national companies, greater productivity and better salaries.

Because investment does not end when it arrives. It is precisely at that moment that the real work of transforming capital into economic development begins.