Seeing Portugal occupy the 6th place in the world and the European Top 3 among 54 countries is not only good news for the industrial sector. It is another sign that the country is beginning to be recognised for factors much more relevant than the simple price of production. In a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty, trade tensions, and more vulnerable supply chains, companies are looking for stability, predictability, and responsiveness. And that's exactly where Portugal begins to stand out.

In my opinion, this result should be seen as the consequence of a trend that I have been following for several years. The international investment that arrives in Portugal is no longer just looking to reduce costs. It is looking for qualified talent, competitive energy, modern infrastructure, a connection to European markets and a business environment capable of supporting long-term projects.

It is interesting to note that many of the sectors that arouse the greatest interest today are precisely those we have been writing about: energy, data centres, telecommunications, the technological industry, logistics, artificial intelligence and new industrial chains. All this is directly linked to the phenomenon of nearshoring and the need for companies to bring production closer to the markets where they operate.

But this prominent position also brings responsibilities. Being among the best destinations in the world means that competition will be increasing. It is not enough to attract investment. It is necessary to ensure available industrial land, faster permitting processes, robust energy infrastructure, talent training and the ability to respond to the speed with which these companies make decisions.

What I consider most positive in this study is the change in perception about Portugal. For decades, we tried to convince the world that we were a good place to invest. Today, it is the international studies themselves that place the country among the most attractive markets to receive new industrial capacity.

Perhaps this should lead us to look at Portugal differently. The country no longer competes only on the basis of the cost of production. It begins to compete for the confidence it transmits to investors. And, in an increasingly uncertain international context, this may be the most valuable competitive advantage of all.