“In this context, we have prepared a Budget for 2023 that aims to make the design, implementation and financing of initiatives aimed at making Portugal grow as a digital nation more profitable”, said Mário Campolargo, within the scope of the discussion of the State Budget for 2023 (OE2023), in the joint parliamentary committee on Budget and Finance, Economy, Public Works, Planning and Housing and Public Administration, Spatial Planning and Local Government.
This is “a budget necessarily leveraged in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), in line with the Government Program and the Law of Major Plan Options”, the official continued in his initial intervention.
“Digital accounts for 22% of the total PRR allocation, corresponding to 3,700 million euros. This is the recognition that digital is a fundamental instrument for the transformation of the business fabric, for the modernization of Public Administration and for the improvement of people’s digital skills “, underlined Mário Campolargo.
The Secretary of State also highlighted “initiatives such as the integration of technological solutions for e-commerce and connectivity with the Digital Commercial Districts” or “the system of financial incentives for the digitization of business models with digital commerce accelerators”, within the scope of the transformation of the business fabric.
“And also the National Network of Test Beds, infrastructures that will provide companies with the necessary conditions to test innovative products and services”, he underlined.
Recalling that the Web Summit ended last week, the Secretary of State stressed that in order for Portugal to be at the forefront “of the digital revolution”, it is necessary to “be able to attract investment and companies that use technology in highly scalable business models”.
Citing data from the Startup Heatmap Report, the official pointed out that these “indicate that, for example, Lisbon is one of the most attractive cities in Europe to create a ‘startup’, appearing in 4th place, ahead of cities like Amsterdam or Paris ”.
The ecosystem of ‘startups’ and technology companies in Portugal, he continued, “has, for the past six years, a return of 50 times the volume of venture capital invested and has created more than 50,000 jobs”.
The seven unicorns “founded by national talent represent, in proportion, the triple of those that exist in France, Germany or Spain”, he pointed out, referring that “these are numbers of a country with proven technology and innovation, capable of to train and attract talent, and which make it a success story in the emerging ecosystems landscape”.
He added that “the Government will develop the legal framework to operationalize the concept of ‘startup’ and regulate the tax benefits associated with the ‘stock options’” of these companies, stressing that “these legislative measures will indelibly contribute to promoting growth, by stimulating investment and entrepreneurship”.
ALU // CSJ