At an investment conference held Wednesday at Club Lusitano near Portugal’s special administrative zone, business representatives emphasized that the newly revised Golden Visa program introduced this year makes Hong Kong a key market for attracting new investment into Portugal, opening fresh opportunities for Hong Kong investors.
The seminar titled “Portugal: Investment Opportunities,” organized by the Macau delegation of the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, gathered service providers and experts to highlight Portugal’s potential as a prime investment destination in Southern Europe.
Portugal launched its Golden Visa program in 2012. The program has since removed real estate purchases and real estate-related funds as qualifying investment options. Instead, the current plan accepts investments in funds, cultural donations, and job creation as eligible paths for residency permits and eventual citizenship.
Carlos Cid Álvares, President of the Macau International Chamber of Commerce, said, “In recent years, many foreign investors and professionals have found Portugal an attractive destination due to its hospitable people, excellent value for services, and favorable climate.” He added, “The updated Golden Visa remains highly appealing to global investors, with Hong Kong as an important source market. This seminar provided Hong Kong’s investment community with detailed information on Portugal’s legal framework, products, and opportunities.”
Tirso Olazabal, partner at MdME Law Firm in Hong Kong, told MNA during the event, “Hong Kong investors have long focused on Portugal’s non-real estate investment options.” He explained, “The Hong Kong market is mature, experienced, and well-informed, resulting in strong acceptance of these investment tools.”
Olazabal outlined the legal framework of the new system, emphasizing the focus on collective investment funds. He noted that investment funds have grown significantly over recent years and reaffirmed that the new Golden Visa program continues to offer attractive investment returns.
Agricultural investment was highlighted as one of the diverse options. Diogo Garcês Reis, Managing Director of Terra Nova Fund, emphasized, “We prioritize cutting-edge technology and responsible scalability to use resources efficiently, while ensuring economic and financial sustainability.” He added, “Now is a good time to invest in Portugal. The country offers suitable conditions—temperature, soil, water—and still has land with great development potential.”
Another speaker, Sónia Mendes, Investment Advisory Manager at Caixa Gestão de Activos, part of Portugal’s leading banking group CGD, focused on reasons to invest in Portugal and introduced CGD’s open-ended alternative investment funds.
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