What do our clients expect from Portugal 2030?

What do our clients expect from Portugal 2030?

In May the first Portugal 2030 tenders opened and at HM Consultor we have been asking our clients what their expectations are for the new EU framework. Many of our clients have had their first interaction with EU funds in the context of Portugal 2020 and have acquired perspectives that deserve to be heard. After all, who are the beneficiaries of the EU frameworks? And what do our clients expect from Portugal 2030?

Eduardo Moura e Sá, Administrator | IDEPA

According to the company’s strategy, what are your perspectives for the new Portugal 2030 community framework?

IDEPA’s strategy broadly aligns with the incentive policy of the new community framework and current market trends, which combine sustainability and decarbonization in industrial investments. In this regard, we are optimistic, despite the instability of energy markets that can completely change the direction of investment decisions after the submission of applications and may require flexibility from public institutions.

Renato Gaio, Commercial Director | Autofer

The Resilience and Recovery Plan has so far been sparse in providing support to companies, and it is expected that Portugal 2030 will only be available at the end of 2022. Which areas do you consider critical for support?

In my opinion, the PRR offers quite interesting support, particularly in the areas of Capitalization and Business Innovation. The constraint indeed lies in the timing of investments and access to these funds, which, due to all the associated bureaucracy and required documentation, is excessively long. This is a constraint inherent in all state financial support.

Miguel Passanha, CEO | MPC DesignWorks

You count on community funds, particularly the Portugal 2030 Community Framework, to receive incentives for your R&D investment. From an SME perspective, what is your opinion on these funds and their usefulness?

The funds are a very important tool to stimulate R&D and strengthen investment in this area. For an SME, particularly in the early years, it is even more challenging to invest in research and development activities, mainly because their return is not generated in the short term – that is, assuming there will be a return, as these are experimental and research activities.

R&D is a fundamental pillar in MPC’s strategy for generating industrial property and maintaining the company’s competitiveness in the global market.

Marco Silva, Director | MoMa Tiles

How has the experience with applying for European funds been? What are the expectations for the next community framework, Portugal 2030?

Our shareholder body is very entrepreneurial and is always looking for new investment opportunities, including those arising from the organic growth of our project, which is objectively defined. The experience has been intense, given our desire to implement our project as quickly as possible, and in this regard, our partners, which naturally include HM with a significant role, have played a decisive role, for which we take this opportunity to thank them. Portugal 2030 will certainly be an opportunity that we will explore within the framework we have set for our path.

Paula Hipólito, General Director | Casa Vera Cruz

Do you believe that the investment incentives of Portugal 2020 in the social sector were adequate? With the opening of the new community framework, Portugal 2030, do you plan to apply for any support?

IPSS (Private Institutions of Social Solidarity) do not aim for profit, but to provide support to those in need. However, when major renovations in buildings or the acquisition of a machine or vehicle are necessary, the institution must have the means to make the acquisition. Thus, considering that institutions have very specific rules for operation, with different types of legal requirements, we hope that the new community framework will bring the necessary support to an essential sector for the full functioning of society. And yes, we will take advantage of all measures that meet our needs. We need support that contributes to reducing energy consumption and consequently environmental and financial sustainability.

David Marques, CEO | Loki

Are you counting on the new Community Framework, Portugal 2030, to achieve Loki’s ambitions? Is it expected that these financial supports will have a significant impact on the company’s growth?

Given the current and above all structural constraints that our country invariably faces at various levels, namely legislative, fiscal, financial, and equally important, demographic, the existence of community support frameworks is essential to leverage the strategy of all companies in general and LOKI in particular.

Indeed, despite knowledge and know-how being one of our main differentiating factors as a country, given the substantial levels of investment required to compete in different markets and the enormous limitations of companies in meeting these needs, without the availability of these community funds, a large part of the companies would not have the means to do so. LOKI will not escape this reality, at least in the first phase until it can consolidate its activity and strategy, so the existence of these supports is important and will naturally have a significant impact on the company’s growth.

Cláudia Melo, Technical Director | INTERESPUMA

How is business going in 2022? Do you have prospects of applying for programs under the new Community Framework: Portugal 2030?

The year 2022 is the year of consolidating our focus on the hospital market with the creation of strategic partnerships in this channel. At the same time, we are witnessing growth in the domestic market in the Pharmacy/Orthopedics channel due to the good performance of the commercial team. Exports are showing high growth, strongly driven by the demand for quality products in the international market.

Portugal 2030 will certainly bring new opportunities that INTERESPUMA will seize to continue the momentum.