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Economy - overview:
Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past decade, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the past decade, but fell back in 2001-05. GDP per capita stands at two-thirds that of the Big Four EU economies. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The government faces tough choices in its attempts to boost Portugal's economic competitiveness while keeping the budget deficit within the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP ceiling. |
Trade Fairs,
Exhibitions, Conferences: |
EXPONOR - Porto International Fair
is the largest event venue in Portugal, managing the organisation of fairs which take place on a total of 100,000-sq. m of covered exhibition area: 60,000-sq. m at the EXPONOR site and 40,000-sq. m at the EUROPARQUE, both in the outskirts of Porto city. It has branch offices around the world and realises over 50 fairs every year for different sectors of activities in Europe, Africa and South America, this corresponds to thousands of visitors every year.
FIL - Feira Internacional de Lisboa
The activities of the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (organising trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses) began in 1888, and quickly achieved widespread fame.FIL is the largest and most modern exhibition centre in Portugal.It has been owned by the Portuguese Industrial Association/Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 1837.
FIL’s present premises opened on 13 March 1999 at EXPO 98, now the Parque das Nações.It occupies an area of 100 000 m2 spread between four pavilions of daring design, all interconnected and fully air-conditioned.It is located 7 minutes from the airport and 3 minutes from a major transport interchange (rail, bus, metro). |
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