The Portuguese Minister of Economy and the Sea, António Costa Silva, noted the importance of the 30 million euros for boosting internationalisation, under the package to support companies, in a press statement during his visit to the Portuguese companies that are taking part in the MICAM Footwear Trade Show in Milan, Italy.

"In the package of measures we announced, there is a measure I find fundamental for the footwear industry and the others that depend on exports, which is the bid for internationalisation" to be announced shortly, he said.

Costa Silva said that the 30 million euros for the international promotion of Portuguese industries, "namely the footwear industry, is important for attending international trade shows, for scheduling these events and integrating networks, whether in terms of logistics or international distribution".

The Minister highlighted that the subsidies are a central part of the 1.4 billion package, of which 235 million euros are "direct subsidies to companies that are gas-intensive", "290 million euros to support decarbonisation and speed up the energy transition", "100 million euros for training, for companies not to stop, keep up their economic activity and engage in training in the production process context".

Furthermore, "the measures are not static" and the Government "is in dialogue with all the sectors" to see "exactly what the solutions will be, given what is happening on the ground".

The Minister also claimed it is essential that in times of crisis like the ones we have now, Portugal stands united: "In the past, our country failed because we were uncapable of collective action". 

"We may have our differences, but given the huge difficulties we are facing, which are exogeneous, triggered by a barbaric war, it is highly important that we come United as a country in our desires, where the growth of the Portuguese economy, investing in technological innovation, support of our companies, as this is the only way we can overcome this", he concluded.