Portuguese people who are making a name for themselves abroad are helping 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 led you to leave Portugal?

Seven years ago, Bristol Myers Squibb underwent a restructuring, and the Portuguese subsidiary was integrated into the Iberian cluster, with functions centralised in Spain. I was invited to lead haematology marketing for the Iberian market and moved to Madrid with my family. This was my second international experience, after five years in São Paulo, Brazil.

2- What advantages or disadvantages did being Portuguese bring you?

The flexibility and resilience of the Portuguese are great advantages when facing new challenges. Being Portuguese has been positive, as Spaniards feel an affinity with our culture. However, there are cultural differences that I’ve had to learn to deal with. Spaniards tend to be more direct and assertive in their communication. The Portuguese, on the other hand, tend to adopt a more reserved and diplomatic approach. In addition, although hierarchy is respected in Spain, it is less formalised compared to Portugal, creating an atmosphere of greater proximity and informality. I remember my first week on the job when I met a leading doctor who insisted on being addressed by name, without the title ‘Doctor’, which came as a surprise to me.

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

Being aware of the cultural differences that impact the labour market was the first step in learning and adapting to working with the Spanish culture. I think I managed not only to adapt to the Spanish working environment, but also to bring the best of both worlds to make a positive contribution in my workplace.

4- What do you admire most about the country you’re in?

I’ve learnt a lot from the innovative attitude of Spaniards. In the workplace there is an openness to experimenting with new approaches and challenging the status quo. What’s more, Spaniards try to maintain a balance between their professional and social lives. Whatever the weather, it’s common to see terraces full of people of all ages, which reflects a culture that values social interaction. This balance contributes to a lower burnout rate and a longer average life expectancy, which in Spain is the highest in Europe.

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

Spain is the fourth largest pharmaceutical market in Europe and the ninth largest worldwide, with strong investment in R&D, especially in biomedicine and biotechnology.

Working at Bristol Myers Squibb and Astrazeneca has allowed me to understand the importance of the Spanish market globally and to contribute to innovative strategies in Oncology and Haematology. In addition, Spain’s leadership in clinical trials provides early access to innovative medications, benefiting both the healthcare system and patients.

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

Based on published studies and insights received from organisations and colleagues in the healthcare sector, I would like to share some general recommendations:

Increase investment in Research & Development (R&D): Portugal should continue to invest in R&D, especially in strategic areas such as biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation. Tax incentives and the promotion of partnerships between universities and industry can speed up the development of new products and treatments.

Strengthening the health start-up ecosystem: Creating an environment favourable to the growth of start-ups in the health sector, facilitating access to funding and reducing bureaucracy. It is crucial to adapt funding mechanisms to accompany all stages of the long innovation cycle, from research to commercialisation. The availability of certified infrastructures is also important so that startups can carry out pilot productions without having to invest in building these infrastructures.

Internationalisation of Portuguese companies: Expanding into international markets not only increases competitiveness, but also opens up new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Reducing market access times for new treatments: It is essential to speed up the approval and market entry of new treatments to ensure the competitiveness of the healthcare industry in Portugal. Delays in regulatory processes reduce competitiveness and the ability to attract foreign investment.

Invest in training and in retaining and attracting talent: Investing in the continuous training of healthcare professionals and creating programmes that encourage talent to remain in the country is fundamental. Offering competitive working conditions will help attract and retain the best professionals. In addition, it is important to connect the talent of the Portuguese diaspora with what exists in Portugal.

Promoting the digitalisation of the health sector: Prioritising digital transformation, in line with the European Health Data Space (EHDS), empowering citizens to control their health data and facilitating secure access to data for research and innovation.

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

Portuguese companies can find clients in Spain, especially in the biotechnology and digital services sector, which is strategic for the country and considered one of the world’s leading health sectors. Portuguese companies that develop health technologies, medical devices and ehealth solutions have great opportunities to explore partnerships and business deals. One example is Fastinov S.A., which has developed a technology capable of providing clinicians with an antibiogram in just 2 hours, as opposed to the usual 48 hours, and which is already expanding to European countries, being used in leading university hospitals in Spain.

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

Spanish companies may be interested in investing in the technology and start-up sector. The start-up ecosystem in Portugal has proven to be dynamic and innovative, especially in the areas of fintech, artificial intelligence and health technology. Spanish venture capital firms and large technology corporations may find Portugal fertile ground for investment in startups, incubators and innovation centres. We have examples of Portuguese companies that are today a benchmark in the ‘Health AI’ market. Sword Health is a unicorn company that stands out in the digital health market, especially in the area of artificial intelligence for physiotherapy.

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

Creating a robust infrastructure for clinical trials: Portugal can learn from Spain in creating a robust infrastructure for clinical trials, which has proven to be a significant competitive advantage. Spain has established itself as a global leader in clinical trials, having implemented regulations that simplify processes, reducing costs and deadlines for starting trials, making the country an attractive destination for the pharmaceutical industry. In Portugal, although there are centres of excellence in areas such as neurosciences, the infrastructure faces bureaucratic challenges that delay the start of trials.

Fostering the start-up ecosystem: Portugal can strengthen its start-up ecosystem by learning from Spain’s successful model, especially in the biotechnology sector. Spain has created a highly favourable environment for startups, combining government support, easy access to funding and a solid incubation and acceleration infrastructure. The Spanish Startup Law has been instrumental in cutting red tape, offering tax incentives, and promoting public-private collaboration.

In Portugal, with the exception of Health ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), access to funding for other health technologies is limited in the domestic market, forcing startups to seek international capital early on. In addition, the heavy bureaucracy in Portugal prevents or delays companies from utilising the available resources.

In conclusion, Portugal is still consolidating its legislation and infrastructure for startups, with less developed tax incentives, administrative system and financial support compared to Spain. The country can speed up this process by learning from Spain’s more mature and attractive ecosystem, which has already established itself as one of the strongest in southern Europe.

10- Are you thinking of returning to Portugal? Why do you think so?

I love living in Spain, but one day I’d like to return to work in Portugal. I have found highly qualified and resilient professionals and collaborative and productive working environments. However, it is essential to improve salary conditions and benefits in order to attract and retain talent, making the country more competitive internationally.