The Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal, Paulo Portas, stated during a meeting with the Portuguese community in Macau, "The results of the strategic partnership we have established with China are very significant. In the last decade, China has risen 18 places on the list of major clients in Portugal."
Reflecting on the recent investments by two large Chinese state-owned enterprises in EDP (Energias de Portugal) and REN (National Energy Network), Paulo indicated that the government "is trying to continue to open the Portuguese economic market to domestic and foreign investments" and that it "welcomes investments from the People's Republic of China."
The Deputy Prime Minister said: "(Portugal), as one of the earliest countries to join the European Union, has domestic stability, and if there are good proposals, a company is very likely to obtain privatization rights here," and that "the relevant Portuguese entities will not forget the investments made by China during difficult times in Portugal."
Paulo also mentioned that the Portuguese Golden Residence Permit policy is expected to attract investment amounts exceeding 300 million euros. This week's review summary of the Portuguese Golden Residence Permit program shows that over 200 million euros have already been invested in Portugal, with 80% of this in the real estate sector. Among these, investment immigrants from China account for three-quarters, with 318 investment immigrant applications already approved, greatly ensuring the "success" of the Portuguese Golden Residence Permit policy. The government views the Golden Residence Permit policy as "a true reformer in Europe and associated with residence permits that are favorable for investment in the country."
