Domingos Bragança emphasized the need for long-term strategic planning to promote competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability in Guimarães’ economy.
The second edition of Guimarães’ Economy Month kicked off yesterday, October 2, under the theme Engines of the New Economy: Net Zero, Creativity, and Collaborative Innovation. Domingos Bragança, Mayor of Guimarães, opened the session, held at Teatro Jordão, focusing on the theme Guimarães’ Economy: Journey, Status, and Destination – Preparing for the Future in a Global Economy in Transition.
In his speech, Domingos Bragança began by highlighting the importance of looking to the future with a strategic plan that goes beyond immediate concerns. ‘Today’s time is an immediate time,’ he said, referring to the urgency for quick results, while emphasizing the need for a long-term vision that fosters a stronger, more competitive, and sustainable economy for Guimarães. Throughout his speech, his vision was clear: structural transformations must be carefully considered, focusing on pillars such as innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
Among the six key points mentioned, the study ‘Guimarães’ Economy, Journey, Status, and Destination,’ developed by the University of Minho, was presented as a crucial tool for understanding the current economic context and charting a path forward. Additionally, the mayor stressed the urgency of transitioning to a greener economy, asserting that ‘sustainable development cannot be rhetorical.’
Collaborative innovation was another priority, presented as essential for maintaining business competitiveness. Domingos Bragança stated that ‘collaborative innovation is a requirement of today’s demanding scientific times, as companies transition from labor-intensive to knowledge-intensive enterprises, in partnership with universities and research centers.’
In an optimistic tone, the mayor projected Guimarães’ future in emerging sectors such as aerospace and healthcare, supported by the municipality, the university, CEiiA, and Guimarães Hospital. He concluded by reinforcing the importance of companies’ social role: beyond generating profit, they contribute to societal development by integrating and enhancing all resources.
This first event of Guimarães’ Economy Month also included the presentation of the study that named the session, authored by Francisco Carballo-Cruz of the School of Economics and Management at the University of Minho. The study identifies the main issues affecting Guimarães’ business landscape.
Rui Monteiro, Coordinator of the Regional Dynamics Monitoring Body of the North (CCDR-Norte), was another speaker at the Opening Session. He addressed the theme ‘How to Accelerate Economic Transition,’ stating that investing in knowledge is essential for an efficient transition. He noted that the areas where the impacts of climate and digital transitions are most significant include Creativity, Fashion and Habitats, Sustainable Mobility, Energy Transition, Industrialization, and Advanced Manufacturing Systems.
António Cunha, President of CCDR-Norte, closed the Opening Session of the Economy Month, drawing parallels between the region’s past and present, highlighting positive developments in industry and academia. He emphasized the need to continue investing in collaborations between Industry and Academia as a path to creating and developing products that are recognized in the market as value-generating and that place the region at the forefront of national and European economic development.