20 portugalspecial TUESDAY,T U E S D A Y, JJUNEU N E 228,8 , 220110 1 1 CHINA DAILY Transport paves the way to lucrative ventures ’s dynamic engineering know-how could help China break new markets

With a road network of 68,732 train speeds greater than 120 km/h. structure, and expanding our port kilometers, of which almost 3,000  e railway network is managed surroundings through the develop- kms are part of a system of 44 free- by REFER while the transport of ment of transport links to the coun- ways, one of the longest bridges passengers and goods are the respon- try and abroad. in Europe — the magnificent, 17- sibility of Caminhos de Ferro Portu- “We are focusing now and in the km-long Vasco da Gama Bridge in gueses, both public companies. future on an integrated rail, road and — excellent ports and three airport network. The new airport international airports, Portugal has Increasing competitiveness planned for Lisbon will give coher- one of the most sophisticated infra- To increase competitiveness and ence to these eff orts. structures in southern Europe. trade effectiveness further, major “Logistics also plays an important Although it was one of the first transport development is high on role in this � eld and we have plans countries in the world to build a free- the government’s agenda. to construct logistic platforms to way, as far back as 1944, it was only at As Minister of Public Works, improve exports conditions, the the beginning of the 1980s that free- Transport and Communications, circulation of goods and busi- Bridge over the Zambezi River at the city of Tete. PROVIDED BY THE DESIGNER – BETAR way construction was implemented António Mendonça, explains: nesses interests. All these plans and on a large scale. “Competitiveness is de� ned as the improvements will present us to percent in the � rst half of 2010, with with this project and with a base in A private company, owned by two With airports located near the ability to create the best conditions international and global business in the number of passengers increasing East Timor, we hope to attract Chi- major groups — one specializing in principal cities of Lisbon, Porto and for economic activity in the Portu- an attractive way. by 13 percent. nese partners in order to increase finance, the other in construction Faro, the country is extremely well guese area with the most efficient “It is extremely important that According to President António our revenues and tighten the — the company designs, finances, connected, with Lisbon’s geographi- cost and competitiveness in the international companies appear Guilhermino Rodrigues, this is down social and economic ties we have builds and operates highways and cal position in particular making it a international arena by enhancing the eager to take advantage of our geo- to increased investment in Lisbon with China.” transportation infrastructures. stopover for many foreign airlines. country’s geostrategic position. strategic position, to settle here and airport, which has been enjoying As well as aviation, EA is also Although it was incorporated � ve TAP Portugal is the � agship carrier “Portugal sits on the western edge export, using our ports as an oppor- growth of an average of 6 percent involved with tour operations years ago, Ascendi launched its � rst and there are many other domestic of Europe, and if we look at the global tunity of transshipment and access to year-on-year over the past ten years, in travel agencies and hotels. � nance project in Portugal in 1996. airlines providing services in and out economy, we are also a central posi- other ports.  ere is a whole range of and Porto and Faro airports. Metello believes this makes it Today, it has 17 concessions han- of the country. In order to cope with tion in the context of coordination facilities we can off er. “We have also developed a strate- a very interesting proposition for dling operations and management demand, the government is build- with America, with Africa and even “China is one of our priorities, gy related to tourism to boost airport Chinese investment. for it, and a network of around 3,000 ing a new airport outside Lisbon, the Far East. primarily because we have histori- marketing through the in� ow of new “We are very well located and km of highways and roads under its in Alcochete, to replace the Lisbon “With the widening of the Panama cal links with them. Five hundred routes and a system of incentives and could become a hub between China, management. It operates in Europe Portela Airport. Canal, which will allow larger ships years ago, the Portuguese were the promotion, which allowed us to have South America and Africa,” he says. (Portugal and Spain), Latin America The national airport author- to pass, the links between the Ori- � rst to arrive and set up in Macao, an increase in traffi c between 2005 “We are already well connected with and Africa. and 2010 of about 30 percent. Brazil, and with some Portuguese- The emerging China is a country with remarkable growth rates and “We have been making invest- speaking African countries and Know-how needed dynamic, interesting and attractive markets, hence my recent visit to ments to adapt to regions. With the strong connec- As Gonçalo Moura Martins, China at the invitation of my Chinese counterpart. meet the needs to its main custom- tions we already enjoy with these Ascendi’s chairman and CEO, ers, and also expanding the national continents, we could be the perfect observes: “Today, globalization is ANTÓNIO MENDON carrier TAP, which represents more partner.” more than competitiveness between than 50 percent of the traffi c from The company has also won companies; it is about competitive- MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS, Lisbon. We are focusing on turning respect in the industry for managing ness between countries. So when a the airport into a hub. to achieve reciprocity with the US, country has a gap in infrastructure, “We are also trying to adapt our despite being a small airline. to � ll that gap it is very important ity group Aeroportos de Portugal ent and Europe will be facilitated, and secondly, the emerging China is various airports to meet the needs of “ at achievement gave us visibil- to invest a lot, and fast. And that (ANA) manages the country’s most and Portugal is a natural stop in this a country with remarkable growth the low-cost operators.” ity and credibility worldwide, and needs the help of the private important airports, at Lisbon, Faro, route. rates and dynamic, interesting and An internationally minded opera- this is how we want to be maintained: sector, and of course, the know- Porto, Funchal (Madeira), and Ponta “We must appreciate this and pro- attractive markets. tion, ANA enjoys a joint venture with small and controlled,” Metello said. how. Delgada (Azores). mote the positioning of our ports “Hence my recent visit to China at China for Macau Airport, which it Also innovative, EA is consider- “The know-how is what these Portugal also boasts a national rail- with exceptional conditions in the the invitation of my Chinese coun- has managed since 1994, and several ing developing a low cost long haul emerging economies need, and way system that extends throughout port sector and magnificent har- terpart, with the aim of discussing partnerships with the Civil Aviation airline and entering new markets, investors from China and India, the country and into Spain, which bors. Having a private port like the ways to cooperate and present what Authority of China. particularly the BRIC economies. for example, have the liquidity is supported and administered by Port of Sines on the direct route of Portugal has to off er.” “We wish to replicate this success “We are ready to invest in regions that Europe is currently lacking. Comboios de Portugal. the ships passing the Panama Canal in other areas of China and are cur- like South America and East Timor, Ascendi has the brand and the Rail passengers and goods are is signi� cant. Growth in airports rently establishing contacts in order in order to keep competitive. Eighty network; we can show service, transported along 2,791 km of rail- “Our priorities are developing our One of Portugal’s most successful to sign a memorandum of agreement percent of our tourists currently capability and experience. way lines, of which 1,430 kms are strategic positioning, valuing our companies, Aeroportos de Portugal to have partners for our future entry come from Europe, so we have to “We want to be a sustainable electri� ed and about 900 km allow ports, development of port infra- (ANA) experienced growth of 23 of business in China in innovative look for diff erent partners. financial company and be very airport solutions,” Rodrigues said. “Considering the growth of China focused on our strategy which is Unsurprisingly, the ambitious worldwide in terms of transporting to grow in other markets. organization has won numerous people and cargo, we could develop “It is especially important to awards for innovation, quality and mutual synergies where we inte- keep growing in Latin America architecture over the years. grate our know-how with China’s and Africa. We are also inter- demands to mutual bene� t. ested in India, which needs to � ll EuroAtlantic’s main focus now is to help Portugal’s ex-colonies through joint ventures, so our goal is not only to invest in these airlines but to manage them.

TOMAZ METELLO CHAIRMAN AND CEO, EUROATLANTIC AIRWAYS

EuroAtlantic Airways “We are also looking to renew our its infrastructure gap.  ey plan to Specialized in leasing and charter � eet, turning our existing passenger build 20 new km of highway per solutions, EuroAtlantic Airways is stock into freight and buying new day over the next � ve years, which the proud owner of eight 767 300s, passenger aircra . We want to walk is amazing. and a Tristar 500, which it bought steadily and consistently, looking at “Only a dozen companies from TAP in 1993 to start its long- the costs everyday. We have a very in the world could meet that haul ventures. healthy cashflow, a very healthy requirement, and Ascendi is one The following year, the private company and I believe we are one of them.” company had $10 million in rev- of the few airlines in the world With Chinese collaboration, enues; today it has $150 million. that have made a profit from day Martins believes there could be As Chairman and CEO of EuroAt- one. I am extremely proud of the some very lucrative ventures lantic Airways (EA) Tomaz Metello team that built this into a solid undertaken. said: business.” “China is a vital commercial “The airline has developed a lot The company, one of the top- ally for all countries, but I think since we started out; our main focus 500 in Europe, is looking to go it can play a more specific role in nowadays is to help Portugal’s ex- public next year to increase its all emerging markets as it is one colonies through joint ventures so equity and buy new aircraft. “We of the leaders of globalization. our goal is not only to invest but also see the potential and have a very “Transport infrastructures to help manage these airlines. positive view of what is going to are important to China because “We have started STP airlines, happen in the future worldwide,” they help facilitate international from São Tomé e Príncipe, our next Metello said. trade. I also think China would line will � y to Guinea Bissau in about do well to put some finishing one month, and we are very excited Success stories and assembly bases in Europe; about our newest project, in East Ascendi is another Portuguese that would help them meet the Timor: Timor-Leste Airlines. company recording excellent suc- requirements needed to sell to “We are getting closer to China cess in the transport sector. the products here.”

This report was produced in partnership with InFocus Reports.

www.infocusreports.com