The Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro upheld the Portuguese Development Bank as a central instrument in the Portuguese economy’s competitiveness, stability and financing, noting the boost in its capacity to support companies in a context of economic recovery and transformation.

At the opening session of the “Conversas com Fomento” Conference [Development Talks] in Leiria, Luís Montenegro highlighted the deepening of the Portuguese Development Bank’s intervention with companies and investment.

“Today, the Portuguese Development Bank is a central instrument in our economic vibrancy, economic and financial stability, and the robustness of the economy’s financing”, he claimed.

The Prime Minister noted the role played by the Bank in assisting companies with cash flow, encouraging investment, and the creation of financing mechanisms in articulation with retail banks.

Luís Montenegro stressed the outcomes of the “Reforçar” programme to respond to the worsening international instability and global commercial tension, indicating that the facility has assured more than 7.5 billion euros in funding for Portuguese companies via around 41 thousand applications.

The recovery of the regions most hit by the storms was also indicated as a priority, with the Prime Minister noting that the measures to assist companies have execution rates above 90%.

“The time we take may be the time between a business surviving and preserving opportunities”, he stated, asking the Portuguese Development Bank to maintain swiftness and efficiency in operationalising the financial instruments.

During his speech, the Head of Government also advocated policies centred around competitiveness, innovation, administrative simplification, and valuing investment, feeling that Portugal “is on the radar as one of the most attractive places to invest in”.