Vila Flor Cultural Center hosted the “Space: Knowledge, Defense, and Economy” conference this Friday. The initiative, part of the Council of Ministers meeting program in Guimarães, brought together government officials, academia, the Armed Forces, research centers, companies, and experts to discuss Portugal’s role in the Space Economy and the challenges facing the aerospace and defense industries.
The conference featured the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre; the Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo; and the Secretary of State for the Economy, João Rui Ferreira. Their presence highlighted Guimarães as one of the strategic territories for the development of Portugal’s Space Economy.
At the event’s opening, Mayor Ricardo Araújo emphasized the unique conditions Guimarães possesses to serve as a hub for Portugal’s technological, industrial, and scientific sovereignty in space. The Mayor highlighted the redevelopment of the former Fábrica do Arquinho, the establishment of Portugal’s first optical satellite factory at the former Fábrica do Alto in Pevidém, and the Minho Defense Hub at Avepark as the three pillars of a value chain that unites knowledge, innovation, and industrial capacity.
Mayor Ricardo Araújo argued that the municipality has all the necessary conditions to play a decisive role in this national strategy, emphasizing that “in Guimarães, we are building a new relationship with the future” through a path forged “with method, partners, and networking; with concrete decisions; by repurposing industrial heritage; and by bringing knowledge closer to industry.”
The Mayor noted that this vision is already being translated into tangible investments, including the €17 million redevelopment of the former Fábrica do Arquinho, which will house the University of Minho’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, Fibrenamics, and the Guimarães Space Hub.
“At Arquinho, Guimarães is organizing knowledge, talent, and applied research. In Pevidém, Guimarães is preparing industrial capacity,” he stressed, asserting that these projects represent two fundamental pieces of a value chain ready to address the challenges of the Space Economy and the aerospace and defense sectors.
The Mayor further argued that this commitment represents a concrete opportunity for local industry, allowing traditional sectors to integrate into high-value-added supply chains. “This agenda is not just about satellites. It is also about the real economy of Guimarães and our region,” he stated, noting that sectors such as metalworking, textiles, footwear, molds, and polymers possess the skills needed to serve the aerospace and defense industries.
Another significant highlight of the event was the presentation of the “Portugal in Space” report by Carlos Elavai of the Boston Consulting Group, alongside various presentations dedicated to the different dimensions of the Space Economy.
More than just a stage for this national debate, Guimarães emerged from the conference with the recognition that it possesses the knowledge, industrial capacity, and strategic vision to play a key role in implementing Portugal’s strategy for the Space Economy.