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Madeira: a region with everything to attract investment
Rui Barreto
Regional Secretary for the Economy of Madeira
Today, the Autonomous Region of Madeira is one of the most enjoyable places in the Atlantic, offering extraordinary conditions for sports, such as golf, with two courses on the island of Madeira and one in Porto Santo; the latter designed under the guidance of Severiano Ballesteros, considered by many to be a legend in this sport.
Besides the unique weather conditions, with temperate summers and mild winters, Madeira and Porto Santo offer an unparalleled quality of life and environment, even when compared with other European locations, attributes that have led it to hold, for the sixth consecutive year, the distinction of «Best Island destination in the World».
It is with pride that we present, not only our Laurel Forest, classified as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, but also several protected areas and nature reserves, of which highlights include the «Desertas» islands, distinguished by the Council of Europe in 2014, and the «Selvagens» islands, which is also among the first regions classified as a nature reserve in our country, a distinction that is more than 50 years old.
With a population estimated at more than 253,000 people, the region has a business fabric characterised predominantly by small and micro enterprises, many of which are already internationalised, with trade relations with the most varied points of the world, thanks also to the strong investment that has been made in telecommunications, an example of which is the installation of a new undersea cable, which will, later this year, reinforce the fibre-optic connections and make the region 5G ready. Communication infrastructures that allow the attraction of digital nomads, as we have been seeing, as well as attracting investments in the area of the new economy, or new technologies.
The construction of the new Madeira Central Hospital is also currently underway, one of the largest public works in progress in our country, and which will strengthen and improve the health care.
In terms of science and technology, highlights include the role of the University of Madeira, as a strategic partner and ally in the development of models and the stimulation of knowledge in various areas, from health to the food industry.
In addition to banana production and the Madeira Wine industry, which have taken the name of these islands around the world, tourism is one of the most important sectors of economic activity in Madeira, with over 1.8 million guests per year and representing around 25% of the regional GDP.
No less important for the regional GDP, we also have the International Business Centre of Madeira, where more than 2,400 companies are based, providing employment for more than 3,000 people directly.
It is all these attractions that make Madeira an ideal place not only to live, but also to invest.
Besides the unique weather conditions, with temperate summers and mild winters, Madeira and Porto Santo offer an unparalleled quality of life and environment, even when compared with other European locations, attributes that have led it to hold, for the sixth consecutive year, the distinction of «Best Island destination in the World».
It is with pride that we present, not only our Laurel Forest, classified as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, but also several protected areas and nature reserves, of which highlights include the «Desertas» islands, distinguished by the Council of Europe in 2014, and the «Selvagens» islands, which is also among the first regions classified as a nature reserve in our country, a distinction that is more than 50 years old.
With a population estimated at more than 253,000 people, the region has a business fabric characterised predominantly by small and micro enterprises, many of which are already internationalised, with trade relations with the most varied points of the world, thanks also to the strong investment that has been made in telecommunications, an example of which is the installation of a new undersea cable, which will, later this year, reinforce the fibre-optic connections and make the region 5G ready. Communication infrastructures that allow the attraction of digital nomads, as we have been seeing, as well as attracting investments in the area of the new economy, or new technologies.
The construction of the new Madeira Central Hospital is also currently underway, one of the largest public works in progress in our country, and which will strengthen and improve the health care.
In terms of science and technology, highlights include the role of the University of Madeira, as a strategic partner and ally in the development of models and the stimulation of knowledge in various areas, from health to the food industry.
In addition to banana production and the Madeira Wine industry, which have taken the name of these islands around the world, tourism is one of the most important sectors of economic activity in Madeira, with over 1.8 million guests per year and representing around 25% of the regional GDP.
No less important for the regional GDP, we also have the International Business Centre of Madeira, where more than 2,400 companies are based, providing employment for more than 3,000 people directly.
It is all these attractions that make Madeira an ideal place not only to live, but also to invest.
