The development of contacts with Alentejo companies, for future business, and a greater knowledge of the tourist and cultural potential of Alentejo were the objectives of the visit of Latin American ambassadors to the region.
The visit, promoted by the Institute for the Promotion and Development of Latin America (IPDAL), in partnership with Turismo do Alentejo, began on Saturday and ended on Monday, in Évora, with meetings between the ambassadors and various local entities.
The president of Turismo do Alentejo, António Ceia da Silva, considered this to be an initiative of the “greatest importance”, which included travel to several municipalities in Alentejo.
“Obviously, there is a tourism promotion component with these agents, who are opinion leaders, to accentuate the competitiveness of Alentejo”, he highlighted.
At the same time, on a more economic side, the trip to the region of this group of ambassadors, from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic and Uruguay, “allows doors to be opened to business initiative “.
“It is important to establish contacts that allow investments from Alentejo businesspeople in Latin America and companies from these countries in Alentejo”, he said.
The olive oil sector, in which Alentejo is one of the strongest regions in the country, was one of those that aroused the most interest among the ambassadors, said Ceia da Silva.
Minerva Lara Batista, from IPDAL, said that Latin American countries can offer “good business opportunities” for Portuguese companies.
“Portugal has a very strong relationship with Brazil, but all of Latin America has many opportunities. After the crisis, it is the only region, as a region, that has possibilities for growth, governments have a lot of resources to spend on development works and infrastructure “, he indicated.
Hence, IPDAL, he stressed, is committed to “strengthening ties between Portuguese businesspeople and authorities and Latin American countries”, this being the fourth visit by ambassadors to regions of Portugal.
The visit program included a trip to the Alqueva Dam, with a meeting held with the EDIA administration, followed by a visit and a boat trip to the reservoir. The Alentejo Promotion Agency made a presentation of the region’s potential, which were observed closely during visits to the Cooperativa de Reguengos and Herdade do Esporão (where they had dinner). Likewise, NERE – Entrepreneurs of Alentejo, held a meeting where they explained and exemplified where and how one can invest in the Alentejo. to receive diplomatic representatives from Latin America. In Portel and Estremoz, in addition to the visits, lunches were held. In Évora and Reguengos de Monsaraz there was a solemn audience and solemn session respectively.
The Hotel Convento do Espinheiro provided an excellent stay for everyone who participated in this visit promoted by IPDAL, together with the Alentejo Tourism Region, and its President Ceia da Silva.