EMA) RELOCATION This Is a Courtesy Translation Into the English Language
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PORTUGUESE OFFER TO THE EUROPEAN MEDICINES AGENCY (EMA) RELOCATION This is a courtesy translation into the English language. Only the text in the Portuguese language shall be authentic. Official page in: http://www.emainporto.eu/ Portuguese Offer To The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Relocation ÍNDEX Executive summary Institutional messages Introduction 1. The assurance that the Agency can be set up on site and take up its functions at the date of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the Union 2. The accessibility of the location 3. The existence of adequate education facilities for the children of Agency staff 4. Appropriate access to the labour market, social security and medical care for both children and spouses 5. Business continuity 6. Geographical spread Annex I - Macroeconomic background Annex II - Technical features of the locations (confidential) 3 Portuguese Offer To The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Relocation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PORTO, LOCATION OF EXCELLENCE Since joining the European Union in 1986, This is only possible thanks to the modern Portugal has been at the forefront of landmark infrastructure the city is endowed with, providing initiatives such as the Schengen area or the excellent access to Europe and to the rest of the Euro, of which it is a founding member. The world. The new headquarters of the European country's commitment to the European project Medicines Agency (EMA) will be located in is supported by the majority of the population, the Historic Centre of Porto, a UNESCO World and runs through political cycles. Heritage Site, in a modern building fulfilling all the necessary requirements for the Agency to be Being the westernmost country in Europe, with fully operational. the same time zone as the United Kingdom, Portugal has a privileged geographic location Francisco Sá Carneiro airport, with an annual to act as an intercontinental platform, bridging passenger volume of around 9.4 million is a state- the gap between Europe, America and Africa. of-the-art infrastructure, whose quality has been Additionally, Portuguese is the official language distinguished by several international awards. It in four continents, thus being a language with is only 15 Km away from the city centre, and is more than 260 million speakers worldwide. easily and rapidly accessible by car, bus or metro. The city of Porto embodies the Portuguese tradition of openness and tolerance, presenting itself as a hub of excellence for the meeting of people coming from the four corners of the world. 4 Portuguese Offer To The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Relocation PORTO, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF EMA The economic, social, scientific and The dynamics of growth, recognition and technological context of Portugal and the city of competitiveness of Research and Development Porto are guarantees of the continuity of EMA's (R&D), both in Portugal and Porto, in particular in business, while ensuring the attractiveness to the the health sector, is a guarantee for the training current, and future, staff and their families. and recruitment of highly qualified human resources, necessary for the work of EMA. There To ensure an effective transition, INFARMED, are 117 R&D public and private institutions, in the national regulator of medicines, with a health sciences, in Porto's area of influence, with remarkable and long-standing partnership with the University of Porto being the largest scientific EMA, will have in place the human, scientific producer regarding biomedical sciences and and technical resources to strengthen their health, in national terms. collaboration with the Agency. Additionally, the business sector in the health Portugal is a country that offers an undeniable sector has been expanding in Portugal, with quality of life for running an individual project more than 47,000 companies in life sciences or family life, being recognised by its stability, only in Porto's area of influence. its features in the domains of health and environment, by its given natural qualities, by its Portugal shows a growing trend towards the touristic, cultural and leisure offer, and - last but qualification of its population, as well as the not least - its hospitality. internationalization of its education system. There are about 700 courses offered in English, The Portuguese economy is now in solid 186 of which in Porto. Portugal also ranks 12th in expansion and in a sustained and long-lasting the English Proficiency Index 2016. cycle of convergence with the European Union. Growth during the current year should be higher 2%, above the European average, and surpassing the most recent forecasts by national and international institutions. 5 Portuguese Offer To The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Relocation PORTO, THE ART OF HOSPITALITY The Agency’s ability to take of its functions in the labour market for spouses. involves the existence of irreproachable quality facilities, as well as ensuring a smooth transition With regard to the adequate education for EMA staff and their families. facilities for the children of agency staff, Porto has a diversified educational offer, which will At the forefront of administrative modernization have 3.000 vacancies in September 2018 (and a physical (located initially in London) and digital expanding in the following years), in international infrastructure, will assist EMA staff and their schools of quality, among them the recognised families in the transition and settlement in the Porto British School, the oldest British school In city of Porto. This One Stop Shop for the hosting Continental Europe (1894). will be available during and after the relocation of EMA, covering areas such as: the management Portugal also offers a Welcome Package for of formalities in the establishment of residence the family members of the Agency staff, which and installation; information on the educational includes an attractive tax regime; job search offer in Portugal, recognition of equivalencies support; social security; and access to health and support in transition to portuguese schools; care. "Health concierge" service; and quick integration 6 Portuguese Offer To The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Relocation PORTO, THE STRENGTHENING OF TERRITORIAL COHESION Portugal has extensive experience in hosting same time, this constitutes an opportunity for the European and international organisations. promotion of decentralization at national level, by It is therefore able to conclude a headquarters strengthening cohesion and the enhancement agreement, which enshrines the advantageous of the territory by bridging the gap between conditions offered to EMA and its staff. citizens and the European project. The location in Porto will bring EMA closer to one of its main partners, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. At the 7 INSTITUTIONAL MESSAGES Portuguese Offer To The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Relocation The Portuguese Government has decided In recent years, Portugal has reached levels of to offer the city of Porto to the relocation of excellence in higher qualifications, scientific the headquarters of the European Medicines production and internationalization of knowledge- Agency (EMA). Porto is an extraordinary city, producing institutions, strengthening the relations which holds all the conditions to answer to the between these institutions and the business level of demand of the work carried out by EMA, community, so that the knowledge can function as well as to ensure the quality of life of its staff as a real engine for innovative and technological and their families. development. Besides its exceptional climate, gastronomy We believe that scientific capital and priority and hospitality, complemented by a diversified given to knowledge and innovation are key for cultural offer, Portugal is recognized nowadays as the future of EMA. Portugal wants EMA to be a country endowed with excellent infrastructures, an integral part of this national and European being the city of Porto connected to the whole of strategy and places itself in the pole position to Europe and the World through a strong transport reinforce its growth. and telecommunications network. Due to Portugal's strategic investment on a new model of development, Porto has important António Costa centers of knowledge, science and innovation Prime Minister that enable EMA’s quality of work and activities. The country has strongly invested in research and development as a way of ensuring sustainable economic growth and a more cohesive society. 9 Portuguese Offer To The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Relocation The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is one Portugal is strongly committed to this process of the most relevant agencies in the European having as essential reference the deepening of Union. In the ongoing relocation process priority safety and quality of life of European citizens in should be given to a transition that ensure the the domains of access and regulation of health best conditions for the business continuity of the technologies. Agency, without compromising the excellence of the work developed so far. The city of Porto has privileged conditions to Adalberto Campos Fernandes host EMA, given the concentration of relevant Minister of Health technical and scientific resources, in the sector of health, in different domains – education, training and research. The region hosts several institutions that combine excellence in health care, biomedical research and technological innovation with a dynamic social and economic environment, reconciling