Portugal Can Be a Strategic Gateway to Europe: Consul General Manuela Franco

Mumbai:

Port Wings News Network:

A high-level business delegation from Portugal engaged with the Indian business community at an interactive session hosted by World Trade Center Mumbai in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), reinforcing growing economic ties and exploring new avenues for bilateral collaboration.

The session brought together government representatives, business leaders, MSME’s and institutional stakeholders to strengthen trade and investment linkages between India and Portugal, with a focus on sectors such as IT, renewable energy, manufacturing, and services.

Maria Manuela de Macedo Franco, Consul General of Portugal in Goa, said, “Engaging with Portugal is not just about accessing one market, it opens doors to  multiple global regions through our strong linkages with Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Portuguese-speaking world. Portugal can serve as a strategic gateway to Europe, offering strong connectivity and market access. By strengthening cooperation and reducing barriers, there is significant potential to deepen trade and investment ties between India and Portugal, particularly in IT and services, where both nations have strong capabilities.”

Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, World Trade Center Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries, said, “India–Portugal bilateral trade currently stands at around USD 1.4 billion, with significant potential for growth across services, tourism, IT, infrastructure, and startups. Portugal serves as a strategic gateway to the European Union, and with the proposed India–EU FTA, there is immense scope to expand trade and investment into wider European markets, and with strong momentum, bilateral trade can grow multifold by 2030. As India advances towards its target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030, Portugal’s expertise in renewable energy can play a key role in supporting this transition through technology and collaboration.”

Capt. Somesh Batra, Honorary Consul of Portugal and Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai, said, “India and Portugal share a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. There is strong potential for collaboration in artificial intelligence, infrastructure, education, and technology. Through Portugal, Indian exporters can gain access to quality-driven and high-value markets across the European Union. With India continuing to grow at around 7% even amid global volatility, the opportunity for deeper economic engagement is substantial.”

Cristina Castanheira Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer, Capgemini Portugal, said, “India has emerged as a global leader in technology and innovation. Portugal, though a nation of 10 million people, serves as a gateway to dynamic markets across Europe. Capgemini chose Portugal for its strong foundation in technology and engineering excellence and its vibrant startup ecosystem. There is significant potential for collaboration between Indian and Portuguese companies in digital transformation, AI, advanced engineering, and IT services. We see India not as a distant partner, but as a key relationship for the 21st century, with India–Portugal collaboration delivering world-class outcomes.

Priya Pansare, Director, Trade & Investment Promotion, World Trade Center Mumbai, said, “Both nations can effectively leverage their respective strengths, India’s scale and growth potential, and Portugal’s strategic market access and capabilities. We are encouraged by the strong participation, with over 100 companies engaging with the Portugal delegation. This marks the fifth delegation from Portugal hosted at WTC Mumbai in the past year, reflecting growing bilateral interest and strong business potential between the two countries.”

The session also featured an engaging Q&A interaction, allowing participants to explore specific opportunities, market entry strategies, and potential collaborations. The event reinforced the growing importance of India–Portugal relations and highlighted the need to leverage complementarities between the two economies to unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation.

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