Portuguese people who stand out abroad help to find out where business opportunities are and what kind of companies and activities the country can attract. An initiative that brings together Negócios and the Portuguese Diaspora Council.

1- What made you leave Portugal?

I was presented with a professional opportunity. I had completed my law degree and was eager to leave the country, but I also looked for jobs in Portugal. Fortunately, I was hired by a law firm that, although based in Lisbon, had a strong international presence, particularly in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), offering me the chance to travel and work in other jurisdictions.

In this context, I began traveling a lot to Angola, the country my family comes from. Over time, life took its course and I ended up not returning to work continuously in Portugal. I never had major objections to going back to work in my home country, but I was always presented with stimulating professional challenges abroad, whether in the United States, Angola, or the United Kingdom, which led me to continue staying outside of Portugal.

2- What advantages or disadvantages has being Portuguese brought you?

Being Portuguese, especially in the energy sector, has brought me great advantages. Just think that some of the largest oil producers in the world are Portuguese-speaking countries. Being Portuguese has allowed me to communicate more effectively and have a greater understanding of the cultural context, which translated into an easier time working in those countries.

As for any disadvantages, I would say that perhaps the only significant one relates to the fact that much of the energy sector is governed by English/American law (the so-called “Common Law”). Legal education in Portugal is based on the Romano-Germanic system, which requires our lawyers to undergo some additional training when they want to work in this sector in an international context.

3- What obstacles did you have to overcome, and how did you do it?

Naturally, anyone living outside their home country has to adapt to the culture and work habits of the country they moved to. I have lived in five different countries, adapting each time, and I never felt any major issues. However, I learned, through interactions with close friends, that we should not underestimate the challenges of adaptation, no matter the country.

Looking at what is usually more difficult, I think that the longing for those close to us ends up being the biggest obstacle. I am convinced that I would not be far from the truth if I said that almost everyone who emigrates goes through periods of doubt, questioning whether it is worth staying abroad. Those doubts never disappear, and there are always times when they intensify. I have experienced several of those moments, but—considering everything—I remain convinced that it is worth it.

I am also fortunate to have a fantastic wife who has always supported me and encouraged me to accept professional challenges in different countries. A crucial part of professional success is having family stability, and in my case, I have someone invaluable helping me overcome the challenges I have set for myself. Having the support of my wife and children is absolutely essential to overcoming the difficulties of living far from Portugal.

Professionally, it seems to me that the biggest obstacles are related to proving oneself. When we move to another country, there is often some suspicion about what we can contribute; it’s human nature. Therefore, I think that those who emigrate often have to prove themselves a bit more. In my case, I opted to pursue some master’s degrees in English-speaking countries and, above all, I never doubted that there is always much to learn from those who know the market we are moving to.

4- What do you admire most about the country where you are?

I have been living and working in the United Kingdom for five years, and I have come to admire (even more) the work culture in this country. I think the UK invests heavily in innovation and youth, valuing multidisciplinary careers.

In the UK, much more emphasis is placed on ability, talent, and willingness than on age, which is great since young people often bring perspectives that we, being a bit older, may not have. There is also a strong focus on innovation, creating an environment where people take more risks, and not much importance is given when things don’t go perfectly.

Finally, one of the things that surprised me the most and that I have come to admire is the value placed on multidisciplinary careers. It starts in higher education, where students typically pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field that sparks their intellectual curiosity the most. They can later choose to take a conversion course that allows them to pursue a profession for which their bachelor’s degree did not qualify them. Often, the lawyers I encounter have bachelor’s degrees in arts, sciences, marketing, etc. This desire to do different things continues in companies, where experiences and knowledge from other areas are valued. All of this helps create a culture of innovation that I find quite interesting.

5- What do you admire most about the company or organization you work for?

I have been working at BP for about ten years, and the company never ceases to positively surprise me, particularly due to the technical rigor instilled in all employees and the attention paid to the safety of our operations. BP operates in a high-risk sector, and without a high level of rigor in HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, Environment), it would not be possible to maintain the leadership position it has held for nearly 100 years.

BP also prioritizes professional development and allows those who wish to pursue an international career through operations in multiple countries. I am a testament to this, as over these ten years, I have had the opportunity to live and work in different jurisdictions and shift the focus of my career within the company.

6- What recommendations would you give to Portugal and its business leaders and managers?

The greatest recommendation would be to internationalize their operations and make the most of the opportunities that arise from our shared language.

Naturally, Portugal, given its size and geographical context, may face more difficulties than other countries. On the other hand, geographical barriers are no longer the problem they once were, and Portugal is well-positioned between the United States and Europe, very close to Africa. When we consider our position in relation to the Atlantic Ocean, it is not hard to envision all the opportunities that open up.

In a context of global opportunities, being part of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) is an advantage that provides easier access to a market of over 250 million people. Portuguese companies already export a lot to CPLP countries, but I believe they could take even greater advantage of these markets. We should remember that some of the CPLP countries are emerging markets with some of the youngest workforces in the world. Looking to the future, it is not hard to predict that some of them will become countries with robust economies, and Portuguese entrepreneurs should position themselves to be part of that future.

Finally, we must take advantage of the ease with which Portuguese people speak other languages and their adaptability to different contexts.

7- In which sectors in the country where you live could Portuguese companies find clients?

The UK is a very open market to Portuguese companies and recognizes Portuguese talent. Just come to the UK to see the number of Portuguese people working in different industries, starting businesses, and providing services here. Any Portuguese company, in any sector, that focuses on innovation will find open doors in this market.

There are also, of course, more traditional sectors like wine, footwear, and the fashion industry, where there is already a strong Portuguese presence, but I feel there is still room to grow. Portugal is not lacking in talent, so it often comes down to understanding the market and identifying opportunities. In this regard, AICEP has done a fantastic job supporting Portuguese companies wanting to understand the market and succeed.

8- In which sectors of Portugal could companies from the country where you live want to invest?

I don’t think there is a specific sector, but there are many opportunities for UK companies to expand their operations to Portugal.

Portugal currently trains excellent professionals in various fields, and international companies always follow talent. Without excellent professionals, there are no sustainable companies. If we look, for example, at the quality of engineers, economists, and technology professionals that our country produces, it’s clear that UK companies find plenty of “raw material” to invest in Portugal.

9- What is the competitive advantage of the country you live in that could be replicated in Portugal?

The UK has some competitive advantages, but I think issues like the effectiveness of the tax system and a greater speed in legal processes are absolutely essential to explaining the UK’s success.

Often, companies investing in Portugal complain about the so-called “context costs,” and looking at the Portuguese reality, it’s not hard to understand their complaints. The judicial system is very slow, there is still too much bureaucracy in the state machinery, and everything takes a lot of time. I believe that if Portugal can improve in these areas, it will attract even more companies.

10- Do you plan to return to Portugal? Why?

Yes, I do plan to return. Nowadays, it’s more for family reasons than professional ones, but I think that in the future, if an interesting professional challenge arises, I would like to go back. For now, I feel it makes more sense to continue developing my professional activity in an international context, but I know that the day will come when I will consider returning to Portugal.