Portugal says diaspora is strategic asset for recovery from Venezuela

O secretary of State of the Communities, Emídio Sousa, said this Sunday in Caracas that Portuguese entrepreneurs abroad are a “strategic asset” fundamental to boost economic cooperation and participate in Venezuela’s development and recovery.

“ I see our community abroad, the business community, as a strategic asset for the country ", said the Portuguese ruler, stressing that Portugal has successful entrepreneurs in the diaspora whose potential should be fully harnessed in conjunction with the economic sector.

Emídio Sousa spoke at the official residence of the Ambassador of Portugal, in Caracas, during the welcome to the representatives of about 30 Portuguese companies that are part of the business delegation that participates in the Portugal-Venezuela Business Forum, organized by the Agency for the Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal (AICEP).

The Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities highlighted the joint and coordinated work between diplomacy, AICEP and the Ministry of Economics in approaching the Venezuelan market: “I come to the communities and you come with companies, because I think this is what Portugal can enjoy.”.

In the intervention, the responsible also recalled the humanitarian support provided by Portugal following the earthquake of June 24, which caused about 6,400 deaths — including 150 Portuguese and Portuguese-venezuelans —, stressing the immediate dispatch of 64 emergency professionals, planes with medicines, ambulances and tons of relief equipment.

Emídio Sousa recalled the audience held at the time with the interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, who thanked for the help provided and claimed to have “the Portuguese community in very good consideration and esteem”, expressing the desire to “count with the Portuguese and Portugal for the recovery of the country and for the development cycle”.

“ I said that I would certainly talk to my colleagues in the economy and that we would come here, because we understand that this is a country full of opportunities”, explained the Secretary of State, highlighting the speed with which the business mission was organized in a few months, in partnership with the Minister of Economics, Manuel Castro Almeida.

The ruler expressed the expectation that contacts initiated in Caracas would enable national companies to assess opportunities on the ground and establish sound business partnerships.

The Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities, Emídio Sousa, accompanies the Minister of Economics and Territorial Cohesion of Portugal, Manuel Castro Almeida, who started on Sunday an official three-day visit to Venezuela with the aim of strengthening political and economic relations between the two countries.

To accompany the official visit are also a delegation of representatives of almost 30 companies from Portugal, the president of AICEP, Ana Casaca, and the Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Madeira Regional Government, Rui Abreu.