Special guests 2009

Region Norte - Portugal

NORTE (Portugal), A Smart Place

Located in Portugal, NORTE (Portugal) is strategically positioned at the crossroads between Europe, America and Africa. Its close ties to the European Union make it a privileged gateway to a market of half a billion consumers. NORTE’s main city, Porto, is a cosmopolitan blend of rich heritage and contemporary feel.

Smart Business

NORTE is entrepreneurial and export-prone. One of the most industrialised regions in Europe, NORTE is a relevant player in more established sectors (textiles, clothing & footwear, furniture, cork), as well as in more recently set up industries like nanotechnology, health sciences, sea-related activities, ICT and renewable energy. NORTE is developing several clustering initiatives in these sectors, warranting promising developments.

After a plan of strategic investments, NORTE is well connected by state-of-the-art infrastructure (broadband, roads, trains, maritime transport, air). The region is also endowed with a fast-growing network of science & technology parks, as well as business locations that are considered among the most competitive in Europe. Thanks to strong Government initiative, taxes and costs of doing business were considerably reduced in the last years. Efficiency and value for money are the hallmarks of investing in NORTE.

Smart People

Investment does not occur without the right human capital. NORTE’s young workforce is qualified, multilingual, creative and flexible. NORTE is home to several universities (among which the largest University in Portugal – the University of Porto) and to internationally reputed research institutes (in areas like Health Sciences, Marine Biology, Engineering, to name just a few). Its excellence in R&D enabled NORTE to attract the first subsidiary of the Fraunhofer Institute outside Germany, as well as to put into practice an array of agreements with Universities such as MIT, Carnegie Mellon and University of Texas at Austin. It also made NORTE the selected location for the new European Institute for Excellence in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, and the home for the only transborder Institute of Nanotechnology (INL), set up between the Governments of Spain and Portugal.

Smart Lifestyle

Way beyond sun and fun, we don’t apologise for knowing how to enjoy life. NORTE is a vibrant place, where quality of life reaches a serious meaning. A safe, sound and family-friendly environment, well endowed with international schools and resources for expatriates, NORTE is a place where life’s good. Its cities are happening and cultural and leisure opportunities abound. A considerable number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, concert halls, museums, foundations, and nature landmarks make it an ideal spot for high quality tourism and a pleasant lifestyle, just as much as for doing business.

NORTE Regional Coordination and Development Commission
norteinvest@ccdr-n.pt _ TEL +351 226 074 229

NORTE Key Numbers

Population – 3, 7 millions
Active Population – 2 millions
Main City – Porto
38% of Portuguese Population <26 years old

Exports – 41% of the Portugal Exports
Industry – 5th more industrial region in UE15 (employment)
Business – 33% of the Portuguese Companies
Industrial Parks Area – 16.400 hectares
Air – 5 million passengers - 35 international regular destinations
Port – 16 Mton exports

Higher education – 117.000 students
R&D – over than 6.500 employees and researchers
100% Broadband Internet Coverage

World Heritage Sites by UNESCO – Historic Centre of Porto, Alto Douro Wine Producing Region, Historic Centre of Guimarães and Côa Valley Paleolithic Art

Strategic clusters – Health & Medical Devices, ICT, Energy, Creative Industries, Fashion, Sea- related activities, Agro-Industries, Automotive, Forest- based products, Production Technologies, Nanotechnology