Braga Hosts "Rota do Crescimento" Event, Kicking Off a National Debate Cycle on Business Growth

This afternoon, Braga hosted the "Rota do Crescimento" event, organized by Jornal Económico with the institutional support of InvestBraga and CIP, along with sponsorship from Sabseg, Crédito Agrícola, and Yunit. Held at Forum Braga, this gathering marked the launch of a series of debates aimed at supporting Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in overcoming challenges and seizing new growth opportunities. The choice of Braga to inaugurate this initiative underscores the economic dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit that characterize the municipality.

Throughout the session, key topics related to business and territorial development were discussed, highlighting the role of companies in transforming regions like Braga into engines of the national economy. The need for economic growth to ensure better wages and living conditions was a central theme, as well as how businesses can contribute to this goal in a rapidly evolving digital and globalized landscape. The event provided a platform for dialogue between policymakers, business associations, and entrepreneurs, fostering the exchange of strategies and experiences to boost the competitiveness of the Portuguese business sector.

During his speech, the Mayor of Braga, Ricardo Rio, emphasized the importance of a tailored strategy for each region, highlighting how Braga has successfully leveraged its resources over the past decade. In collaboration with InvestBraga, the municipality has developed a range of investment support tools, creating favorable conditions to attract businesses and promote sustainable growth. This transformation is reflected in the arrival of over 20,000 new residents since 2012 and the creation of approximately 2,000 jobs annually, solidifying Braga as one of Portugal’s leading export hubs. The city’s quality of life and the high qualification of its workforce were cited as key factors in attracting new investors and talent.

In this context, InvestBraga took the opportunity to present VITRAL – Uma Visão do Concelho, an innovative socio-economic information platform that compiles around 200 indicators on Braga’s economic and social development. Developed by the Municipality of Braga and InvestBraga, VITRAL enables a detailed analysis of the municipality's key development data, organized into five categories: CUIDAR (Care), VIVER (Live), VISITAR (Visit), INVESTIR (Invest), and CAPACITAR (Empower). This tool, which aggregates data from various national and international sources, was designed to support decision-making for businesses and organizations, reinforcing transparency and access to information.

Carlos Silva, Executive Director of InvestBraga, highlighted the significance of VITRAL as a strategic resource for management and planning, allowing users to access up-to-date indicators on various aspects of local development. Developed with the support of LTP Labs, the platform provides a comprehensive and comparative view of data, facilitating trend analysis and the identification of investment opportunities. Rosário Rocha from LTP Labs presented the tool’s functionality, showcasing its intuitive structure and ability to consolidate scattered information into a single, user-friendly system. The platform also allows for the comparison of local data with national and international indicators, strengthening Braga’s position in the global economic landscape.

The platform can be accessed here.

With the “Rota do Crescimento” event, Braga reaffirms itself as a hub of innovation and business dynamism, demonstrating its ability to adapt to new market demands and continue attracting investment. The success of this first session highlights the importance of initiatives that foster debate and knowledge sharing, which are essential for building a more resilient and competitive business ecosystem. The “Rota do Crescimento” will now continue its journey across other regions of Portugal, including Aveiro, Leiria, Santarém, and Faro, furthering this strategic reflection on the country’s economic future.