Despite the sovereign debt crisis, foreign direct investment in Portugal has been growing at a considerable pace. According to the UNCTAD's Global Investment Trends Monitor, FDI increased from USD 2.6b in 2010 to USD 10.3b in 2011, and from USD 2.2b in the first half of 2011 to $7.8b in the first half of 2012. The EU/IMF team that monitors the country's performance under the financial bailout package forecasts a growth rate of 80% in FDI for 2012/2013 due to the attraction to foreign investors of the bargain prices brought about by the crisis.
The Bank of Portugal's statistics indicate that in 2011/2012 the most important countries of origin of FDI were France, Spain, Switzerland and the US, the most sought out sectors having been finance and insurance, manufacturing, services to business and real estate.
Most forecasts point to the high probability that the cost of acquiring businesses or real estate in Portugal may hit rock bottom in 2013/2014, which is proving to be a magnet to cash-rich foreign investors.
Investors wishing to start up operations in Portugal will benefit from an abundance of qualified cheap labour, strong government incentives, a tax regime that is being changed in order to attract investors and possibly the easing out of the traditionally heavy red tape.
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