• Start: 4th October 2018
    End: 4th October 2018
  • Start: 11:15am
    End: 1:00pm
  • ,

Algarve 2020: An insight on business opportunities

Start Date:

11:15am, 4th October 2018

End Date:

1:00pm, 4th October 2018

Location:

The Magnolia Hotel, Quinta do Lago, Algarve,

Country:

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/NKt1H4ovPkKiL6Jn8

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The event organised by the IPBN Algarve committee at the Magnolia Hotel, Quinta do Lago, on Thursday Oct 4th attracted a large crowd of local businesses, local officials and local entrepreneurs.

Tony Boyle, Chairman of the IPBN, welcomed everybody and introduced the IPBN mission with a brief outline of past and future activities and a short description of our flagship event around the Sustainability economy planned during the St Patrick's Day in Lisbon in March 2019.

Dearbháile Banahan, chairwoman of the IPBN local committee for the Algarve, then introduced the committee who was selected over the summer after our launch here in June. Dearbháile stressed the diversity of the local committee and the ambitious programme to develop the Algarve region through partnership between Portuguese and Irish companies and the objective of the committee to help growing all the existing and emerging sectors here in the region in domains such as education, health, efficient energy, software, technology and tourism.

We were very pleased to welcome Sr. Professor Francisco Serra, President of the CCDR (the regional commission for the coordination and development of the Algarve) and Dr. Paulo Bota, responsible for the European Enterprise Network department at the CCDR.

Professor Francisco Serra, in his address to the audience, highlighted the strategic place of the Algarve, its GDP growth above the country average, the highest rate of growth of the region in total employment and its goals for 2020-30 to make the region an innovation and competitive place in the domains such as Education and Training through the Faro University, Tourism, Sea, Agro-Food, Renewable Energy, Health and Life Sciences. In the words of the Professor F. Serra, a place GOOD TO LIVE, STUDY, WORK AND INVEST.

Dr. Paulo Bota introduced the audience to the European Enterprise Network (EEN) mission of helping ambitious SMEs innovate and grow internationally. The EEN is the world’s largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions. The Enterprise Europe Network is a key instrument in the EU's strategy to boost growth and jobs. Launched in February 2008 by the Commission’s DG GROW, the network boots today a total funding of over €180M. The Network's business database contains thousands of company profiles and is there to find the perfect match and develop international partnerships.

Dr. Paulo Bota has identified +5.000 companies, including 35 Irish, looking for partners in Portugal in sectors such business, technology and R&D. He gave the example of an Irish software developer looking to licence a smartphone app which allows event attendees to skip food and drink queues. He also mentioned CaminoWays.com, a walking and cycling specialist and one of the top tour operators on the Camino de Santiago and now also in the spectacular Rota Vicentina in South West Portugal!

These interventions showed all the opportunities the Algarve region represent and the IPBN with its members will be an active force in developing the sustainability in the region through these immense opportunities for business, the people and the planet. We also anticipate to work closely with the CCDR and the European Enterprise Network.

So, do get involved and stay informed about the IPBN future activities in the region. You can do that by becoming a member, subscribe to our newsletter and join our LinkedIn page. All links are on our website www.ireland-portugal.com

Judging by the feedback we had from the delegates present at the event, we believe this event was an excellent occasion to meet key personnel in the region and to exchange views on the expansion plans and the opportunities it opens for businesses in Portugal and Ireland. This event was only the first of many future activities. So, please join us, participate and stay well informed. www.ireland-portugal.com.

If you wish to receive the presentations from the different keynote speakers and/or if you have any questions or need further information, please contact arnold.delville@ireland-portugal.com (969 196 055)

The IPBN local Algarve committee would like to thank again AllMarket and AllisLaw for their kind support to make this event happen.

The IPBN is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland under the ESP Grant programme.

**Anyone purchasing IPBN Member Tickets must have valid IPBN Membership on the day of the event. If you would like to purchase IPBN membership please go to https://www.ireland-portugal.com/join/. To check your membership status please contact arnold.delville@ireland-portugal.com.