Diaspora Investment Support Program
Mundo Português newspaper publishes article "Diaspora Investment Support Program" in the 10/2/2020 edition written by Vanessa Mendes, CEO of Be Wise Consultants. Read the full article:
2nd October 2020.
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These days, given the global context in which we live, the result of a pandemic that shows no signs of wanting to fade away, all the support that comes from the governments is essential, not only for the recovery of citizens and business financial stability, but also as a promoter vehicle for the creation of new jobs by investing through the implementation, expansion and improvement of new productive activities.
For that purpose, the Portuguese Government has sensibly designed a National Diaspora Investment Support Program (PNAID) including four main areas, describing it with 23 measures and 87 sub-measures with the aim of supporting emigrants, children of Portuguese or other members of the Portuguese Diaspora through investment in our country.
We know that the connection to our country is never lost, even though at some point in our life we have physically became distant from it, whatever the reason associated with that separation might be, and I would take the risk and say that when we find ourselves living in another country, or even when we are on vacation, this connection increases even more. It is a paradigmatic case that we hear “I miss Portuguese food, holidays spent by the sea or in the interior of Portugal, the sun and the good mood of the Portuguese.”
There is no place in the world where the influence of the Portuguese is not noticeable, we are a unique nation, and as it should be, we also like to invest in our country so that our culture is preserved, the living standard of our families is, although gradually, better and our entrepreneurial spirit is maintained, being passed on from generation to generation. In addition to all that, we also want to have a place to return. For us and for what is ours.
With these types of initiatives, to support the investment of immigrants from and in Portugal, we managed to achieve all these purposes.
Support, through the PNAID, covers several areas, such as tourism and agriculture, not forgetting education and housing. In the field of education, it should be noted that the Government has taken into account reserving a 7% quota, equivalent to about 3,500 places, in higher education, without excluding any course, for immigrants and their families who decide to invest in Portugal under this program.
As mentioned, the program includes different areas, the most important being the support to job creation, productive innovation and urban rehabilitation and energy efficiency. Portugal has long needed a program like this to encourage and support the Portuguese community to re-establish links to their country by fostering entrepreneurship.
The essential question now remains with the Diaspora. Of course, it is natural to have questions. Many have their lives and businesses organized, and although the prospect of return is , even only for the purpose of investment , attractive, information is essential to make decisions, in particular, decisions that will affect lives for years to come.
Without disregarding the spirit of initiative, we can and must advance with the best information. Take advantage of the existing support and of these that are yet to be made available. Accept the challenge.