Finance: Economic growth news in Portugal

Latest news and stories about economic growth in finance in Portugal for expats and residents.

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S&P keeps A+ rating, upgrades outlook to positive

💶 Finance 🏛️ Government#credit-rating+3 more

Standard & Poor's maintained Portugal's long‑ and short‑term sovereign rating at A+ and changed the outlook from stable to positive, citing economic resilience and falling net public debt. The agency said budget management and solid growth support the revision and that a positive outlook often precedes a future upgrade. Markets and the government may interpret this as validation of recent fiscal trends; investors should monitor finance ministry statements and bond market moves.

S&P, short for Standard & Poor's, is a major US credit-rating agency; on 27 February it kept Portugal's sovereign rating at A+ but changed the outlook from stable to positive. An A+ is investment grade and a positive outlook means S&P sees a greater chance of an upgrade in future, which can lower government borrowing costs and influence bond yields, mortgages and investor confidence in Portugal.

5 sources →27 Feb

S&P keeps A+ rating, upgrades outlook to positive

Start Campus plans 1.2GW Sines data-centre campus

📍 Sines 💶 Finance#data-centers+3 more

Start Campus is planning a data-centre campus in Sines with a projected capacity of 1.2 GW and an estimated €8.5 billion investment, Daniela Silva e Sousa told ECO. The project would rank among the largest foreign private investments in Portugal and could bring jobs and infrastructure demand to the Sines area; it will require regulatory, planning and environmental approvals. Local businesses and municipal authorities should monitor planning notices and community consultations.

Daniela Silva e Sousa is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Start Campus, the company developing the data centre campus in Sines. She spoke to ECO/Advocatus about the project's projected 1.2 GW capacity and the estimated €8.5 billion investment, described as one of the largest foreign private investments in Portugal; investors and those in the energy, construction or local services sectors should follow the project's progress.

Start Campus is the company behind a planned data centre campus in Sines with a projected total capacity of 1.2 GW and an estimated €8.5 billion in foreign private investment. The project will affect local jobs, infrastructure and electricity demand, so residents, local businesses and anyone tracking permits or grid upgrades should monitor its approvals and timelines.

1 source →21 Feb

Start Campus plans 1.2GW Sines data-centre campus

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Ten Commandments for the New Era of Mercosur

💶 Finance 🏛️ Government 🏖️ Daily Life 🎭 Culture#economic-growth+3 more

The Mercosur agreement with the European Union has come into effect after over twenty years of negotiations, presenting significant trade opportunities for Portugal and Brazil. Key benefits include lower tariffs, reduced bureaucracy, expanded access to the agri-food market, enhanced service opportunities, better conditions for public procurement, improved brand protection, integrated production chains, attraction of Brazilian investment to Portugal, increased regulatory stability, and strategic market positioning. This agreement not only facilitates trade but also positions Portugal as a vital Atlantic business platform, leveraging its historical ties and language advantages with Brazil.

Dinheiro Vivo28 Feb

Ten Commandments for the New Era of Mercosur

💶 Finance 🏛️ Government 🏖️ Daily Life 🎭 Culture#economic-growth+3 more

Dinheiro Vivo28 Feb

Silver bullet

💼 Work 💶 Finance#economic-growth+2 more

The revision of labour legislation has become a tedious soap opera, despite recent episodes adding some drama: the suspense of the UGT vote or a party with less than 5.5% of the electorate accusing unions of representing only 7 to 15% of workers (and what about employer confederations, by the way?). Overall, the dramatisation surrounding the process is based on a misconception: that it is the 'silver bullet' that will solve economic growth problems. While some norms need updating, a conflict-driven approach fuels 'class struggle' rhetoric, which is the antithesis of social-democratic logic. Worse, it fosters illusions and loses sight of other, perhaps more priority, dimensions. Coincidentally, the OECD published the study 'Foundations for Growth and Competitiveness' this week. Portugal's gap compared to the OECD average in numeracy and problem-solving skills for people aged 16 to 65 is around 15% (25% for top-tier countries). If Portuguese workers had the skills of those in Finland, Japan, or Sweden, productivity could rise by 35%. Some OECD proposals involve labour law but outline concrete trade-offs (e.g., more permanent contracts to stimulate training investment, alongside simplified dismissal procedures). The difference between being involved and being committed is essential for credible negotiation. In reality, the conditions for such productivity gains are complex, involving everything from the productive structure to management process quality. Interestingly, a study from a few years ago suggested that if Portuguese companies adopted Swedish processes, the productivity gap would shrink by 25%. Revising labour law may make life easier for managers, but if they assume they are already doing everything right, it will achieve little and could even have perverse long-term effects. Crucially, we must not lose sight of the fact that the fundamental aspects of competitiveness policies remain unaddressed.

Dinheiro Vivo16 Apr

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