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Portugal - record number of new company openings shows confidence in an emerging economy

shoppingcentreBetween January and August this year, 26,358 companies have been opened in Portugal, the equivalent of 108 per day according to the latest analysis.

This spanking rate is 10% up on last year but on the downside, insolvencies increased over the same period by 2.7%.

Ripped-off BES depositors - PM says it is 'fruitless' pressurising the government

passoscoelho4Portugal's current Prime Minister, Pedro Passos Coelho said yesterday that it is a "fruitless" quest to put pressure on the government over the BES missing deposits situation.

The Prime Minister said he is “not indifferent to the plight of people” but stressed that it is up to courts to resolve this issue.

Italy promises a comeback

italy3Italy is “on the mend” and headed for acceleration, according to the country’s prime minister.

Matteo Renzi said that the eurozone’s third-largest economy was finally set to grow after years of stagnation.

Refugee crisis diverts drug trafficking routes to Portugal

cocaineThe Portuguese authorities warn that already there is evidence that there is a renewed interest in Portugal as the drug gateway into Europe.

Due to the intensified presence of authorities on land, sea and air, the usual drug trafficking routes are being disrupted with importers targeting Portugal’s coastline to land drugs destined for northern Europe.

Smoked salmon from London shielded for protection

smokedsalmonFormanSmoked salmon produced in the last remaining smokehouse in London is to be given the highly prized European protected name status, joining other prominent delectables such as champagne and Parma ham.

Forman & Son, still in family hands after 110 years, is the only survivor from a host of London smokeries. Its East End factory produces its legendary London Cure which is noted for a delicate and mild flavour much sought after by top chefs.

Another step to end UK’s vast food waste problem

farshareA British supermarket is joining the move to end food wastage.

The Co-op has signed an agreement with the charity FareShare to release 500 tonnes of food which would otherwise be binned. This is to be composed of surplus vegetables, fruit and ready meals as well as chilled goods such as yoghurt and meat.

São Brás de Alportel council offers hope and shelter to refugees

saobrasA proposal from two social democrat councillors that the São Brás de Alportel municipality takes in and looks after a number of fleeing refugees has been voted on and passed at a full council meeting.

Rui Eusébio and Anabela Marcos submitted the proposal for the council to accept some of the thousands of refugees that the government is bringing to Portugal.

Portuguese top talent settles in Germany

berlinPortugal’s ‘man in Berlin’ Luis de Almeida Sampaio said that German investment in Portugal is "structural and strategic" while noting that various sectors of the German economy still have much to discover about Portugal and the Portuguese.
 
The ambassador finishes his term of office at the end of September and was interviewed by Lusa about what German companies think of Portugal and the Portuguese.