According to the jury, the Francisco de Melo e Torres Prize was awarded following the achievements of Portuguese exports of goods and services in Germany, which, “after overcoming the most acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, from January to October 2020”, reached , in a new record, “an increase of 96%”.
The ambassador, who previously led Portuguese diplomacy in Spain, also achieved a 200% growth in German investment during the same period.
This growth was registered mainly in advanced areas such as the automotive industry (with 7 technical centers established in Portugal), renewable energy and digital solutions, the CCIP said in a statement.
“The defining moment of the Portuguese-German relationship was our presence, as host country, at this year’s edition of the Hannover Messe, the most important industrial fair in the world. It was the largest action of economic promotion abroad undertaken by Portugal , with some 110 companies involved,” explained Ambassador Francisco Ribeiro de Menezes, quoted in the same statement.
The CCIP award – for 2021 not awarded since last year due to the covid-19 pandemic – will be presented today at the diplomatic seminar, in the presence of Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock.
Source: DN
