AGP Executive Report

Electric Mobility in Portugal: Galp has completed an ultra-fast EV charging corridor along the A1/A2, adding a €6.1m investment with 96 high-power points and 20 MW total capacity to cut long-distance downtime. Circular Economy: SDR Portugal says the “Volta” deposit-return scheme has already seen over 10 million beverage containers returned via 2,500+ collection points, with more than 3,000 planned. Logistics & Trade: WACO elected a new board in Athens, with Duarte Rocha joining as a Portugal board member, as the freight network pushes growth in Latin America and Africa and rolls out digital tools. Infrastructure Connectivity: Macau’s IIICF opened with a focus on linking infrastructure between China and Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries, positioning connectivity as a key theme for the forum. Energy Security Watch: Coverage highlights Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal as a strategic target in US-Iran tensions, warning that strikes could sharply affect exports and push oil prices higher. Industry Tech: Pipefy launched an AI capability that lets any AI assistant initiate and complete full business processes inside Pipefy with approvals and audit trails. Climate & Health: WHO issued updated guidance for heat-health action plans as El Niño develops, stressing protection measures as extreme heat risks rise.

World Cup kick-off: The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts across the US, Mexico and Canada with Mexico vs South Africa, and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo says preparations are done after a 2-1 friendly win over Nigeria. EU policy push: The European Commission is urging tighter alignment between housing affordability and energy poverty measures, warning the green transition could deepen inequality if local and national frameworks don’t match. Portugal innovation for the ocean: HUB Azul selected 18 international startups for ocean-focused pilots in Portugal, aiming to turn Atlantic know-how into investment and qualified jobs. Energy storage milestone: Greenvolt Power-backed projects inaugurated a major 99.8 MW battery storage system in Hungary, using BYD batteries and local O&M. Digital privacy tech: Researchers at TUM and the University of Lisbon propose GDPRuler to enforce deletion and privacy rules inside hardware-isolated cloud environments. Travel bottleneck risk: EU Entry/Exit System (EES) delays are again flagged, with warnings of up to six-hour queues at European airports, including impacts on Portugal-bound travellers. EU enlargement angle: EU enlargement talks continue with a focus on accelerating accession timelines, including Ukraine and Balkan candidates.

FIFA World Cup 2026: The tournament kicks off today with Mexico vs South Africa, and Portugal’s place in the spotlight is reinforced by a wave of coverage from streaming and broadcast plans to fan engagement. Sports Medicine: Behind the scenes, US sports medicine specialists are coordinating care for players facing heavy loads, with knee and ligament work a key focus. Media & Advertising: FIFA’s new three-minute hydration breaks are set to create extra ad inventory, with broadcasters including RTÉ confirming in-game adverts. Tourism & Tech: The Algarve’s record visitor numbers are boosting mobile gaming and betting habits, as smartphones become the trip’s hub from booking to entertainment. Climate: Copernicus warns Europe’s early, intense heatwave shows extreme events are becoming the norm, with May records and El Niño risk rising. Border Operations: Frontex says EES queues could persist for another two years, threatening travel spending. Industry Deal: TeraPlast moves into Spain via an Aliaxis factory deal for polyethylene pipes. Energy Investment: CEM reports 60% of its 2025 investment going to network upgrades. Portugal Policy: President António José Seguro urges dialogue and action on housing and talent retention.

EU Climate Watch: Copernicus says May 2026 was the world’s second-warmest May on record, with an early, intense heatwave hitting France, Britain, Ireland, Spain and Portugal and “feels-like” temperatures of 35–40°C in places. EU Industrial Policy: Member states including Portugal are urging the EU not to water down CO2 rules, warning that easing the 2035 combustion-engine ban would hurt climate goals and competitiveness. Defence Industry: A new ECFR poll finds most Europeans back higher defence spending and buying more European-made weapons, as the EU pushes SAFE loans and EDIP to ramp up production. Border Tech & Travel Impact: IATA warns the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) could keep causing 3–6 hour waits for months, with Frontex expecting disruption to stabilise only in 1–2 years—bad news for summer logistics. Portugal Business & Tech: Microshare expands its EverSmart™ pest and cleaning AI platform with 31 new languages, including Portuguese, as it targets wider international rollouts. Aviation Dealmaking: Air France-KLM says it would consider any approach from private equity Castlelake over a possible bid for EasyJet, pointing to EasyJet’s attractive market position and low market cap.

Poultry Welfare Push: Portugal’s PAN is calling for tighter rules on slaughter of male chicks, arguing current permitted methods like maceration and gassing can fail and leave animals conscious, and wants stronger monitoring across incubation, breeding and slaughter. Retail & Foodservice M&A: Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala is reportedly preparing a bid for Restaurant Brands Europe, owner of Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons in Portugal and Spain, as Cinven explores a sale that could value the group above €3bn. Border Tech & Travel Pressure: EU Entry/Exit System delays are expected to persist for up to two years, with Frontex warning some member states are still struggling to adopt the biometric checks—airports including Spain and Portugal are among the worst hit. Port & Energy Transition Lessons: Bilbao Port Authority’s president shared “City-Port” experience with Québec, focusing on how ports can drive urban regeneration and now face decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness challenges. Climate Risk Watch: A heatwave is reported to have driven record temperatures across western Europe, with Portugal reaching 40.3C, underlining rising operational and infrastructure stress for industry and services.

Energy Security in Portugal: Portugal’s energy regulator warns of potential power cuts over the next decade, citing REN simulations that show the grid may fail reliability rules in multiple scenarios unless system operations improve after the 28 April 2025 blackout. Crypto Regulation: Europe’s MiCA transition deadline on 1 July 2026 will force unlicensed crypto exchanges, brokers and wallet providers to stop serving EU users, with only 14 entities cleared to run trading platforms despite 183 firms holding full MiCA authorization. Agri-Food & Exports: Uganda’s coffee export earnings fell 10% in April as global prices dropped, even as shipment volumes hit record levels—an example of how commodity price swings ripple through producer economies. Portugal Business & Industry: Leads Brand Connect expands its “Own-Build-Scale” model to help Portuguese and Brazilian FMCG brands enter India, adding market intelligence, packaging, regulatory support and distribution. Maritime/Defence Procurement: EM&E will supply 47 naval weapon stations to the Portuguese Navy via NATO’s support framework. Tech & Cybersecurity: NFCShare’s Android banking trojan returns with renewed phishing and brand rotation across European banks, pushing victims to sideload malicious APKs.

Defence & Industry: EM&E will supply the Portuguese Navy with 47 naval weapon stations via NATO’s NSPA, in two phases, covering Sentinel 2.0 (12.7mm) and Sentinel 30 (30mm) configurations—another sign of Portugal’s defence procurement leaning into high-tech European supply chains. Energy Transition: Portugal’s GreenH2Atlantic hydrogen project in Sines got a conditional green light from APA, but with strict rules that electrolysis and cooling water must be reused or sourced from seawater. Infrastructure & Mobility: A new passenger-building plan for Porto’s Campanhã station includes an overpass linking the city’s west-east access, plus a covered underground parking area with 620 spaces. Power Security: Portugal’s grid reliability is at risk over the next decade, with DGEG warning that minimum electricity supply standards may not be met in multiple scenarios, raising the spectre of power cuts. Reindustrialisation & Manufacturing: APICCAPS says Portuguese footwear will pitch itself in Brussels as a reindustrialisation model for Europe, backed by innovation, sustainability and local production. Solar & Renewables: New daily solar generation records were reported across Europe, including Portugal, as higher clean output continues to reshape power markets. Markets: European stocks edged mixed after Iran signalled an end to its operation against Israel, while Portugal ended flat.

Aviation & Trade: TAP’s chairman Carlos Oliveira says rising fuel costs won’t derail Portugal’s flag-carrier privatization, with binding bids expected by end-July and a strategic partner decision by year-end. EV Infrastructure: Macau completed construction of its first EV supercharging station and plans to boost fast chargers by ~20% this year, adding charging points for scooters across public car parks. Energy Markets: In Rotterdam, B30-VLSFO (POMEME) edged up while conventional fuel moved differently; certificate prices fell, hinting at a tighter biofuel bunker certificate balance. Sustainable Industry Materials: A Portuguese-linked textile story highlights Bananatex, an abaca-based natural fibre moving into luxury fashion and beyond. Portugal & Skills/Innovation: ADEM and La Provençale trained 120 people for lorry-driving roles, pointing to ongoing workforce pipelines for transport and logistics. Portugal in Global Conservation: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves, including Portugal’s Serra da Estrela, expanding ecosystem protection. World Cup & Mobility: WestJet adds new transatlantic routes including Ponta Delgada from Toronto, using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Social Housing Pressure: A report on homelessness links the crisis to long-term housing supply shortfalls and policy shifts—relevant to industrial workforce stability and urban planning.

EV Charging Rollout: Macau says its first EV supercharging station is ready for gradual trial operation after construction and installation were completed, with plans to boost fast chargers by ~20% and add scooter charging points in public car parks. Startup Acceleration: The 929 Challenge is being folded into AIE Expo Macao, launching a new acceleration programme to help startups enter the Greater Bay Area market and gain access to hundreds of exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors. Aviation Pressure on Europe: IATA warns Europe’s summer travel season faces structural strain from geopolitical airspace disruption and biometric border systems already causing major airport disruption. EU Economic Resilience: The European Commission unveiled the 2026 European Semester Spring Package, pushing competitiveness, decarbonisation, skills and housing while keeping fiscal sustainability in focus. Portugal Tech & Sustainability: A Portuguese university project claims a clean alternative to disposable batteries, aiming to cut waste from short-lived power supplies used in everyday electronics. Industrial Context: The week also highlights how energy planning and reliability costs (including blackout risk) are being debated as regulators weigh emissions goals against affordability and grid security.

Aviation Industry: IATA’s 82nd AGM in Rio set a cautious tone for Europe’s summer: strong demand, but mounting pressure from geopolitics, higher jet fuel, border delays, taxes, sustainability costs and airport charges, with revenue passenger growth slowing to 0.8% in April. Energy Transition Debate: A new Portuguese coalition of civic movements is pushing back against solar and wind “mega-projects”, calling for a Renewable Energy Planning Plan and warning the transition is turning the country into a “giant energy factory” aimed at exports and data centres. Industrial Safety & Defence Tech: Reuters reports a Romanian navy official suffered severed fingers in a Shield AI V-BAT drone incident, adding to a pattern of crashes and renewed scrutiny of safety practices at the US startup. Local Tourism & Heritage: Portugal’s Soure municipality approved plans for a new Templar Museum at Soure Castle, aiming to boost regional tourism and heritage. Environment & Biodiversity: World Environment Day coverage highlights growing climate warnings and new UNESCO biosphere reserve designations, including Portugal among the newly listed sites.

Energy Transition Backlash: Nine Portuguese civic movements launched a national platform against solar and wind mega-projects, warning the transition is turning Portugal into a “giant energy factory” aimed at exports and data centres, and calling for a Renewable Energy Planning Plan. Beach Rules Clash: Portugal’s environment and energy minister clarified the “battle of the sunshades” by proposing “security strips” where no sunshades can be placed for safety reasons, to be defined by municipalities with Maritime Police. Mining Electrification: A new industry report says electrified mining is now past the pilot stage, with operators shifting from diesel fleets to electric systems as energy and maintenance costs improve and Scope 1 rules tighten. Waste Fees Pressure: Lisbon-area municipal debate over higher waste disposal fees and service changes is growing, as officials look to close transfer-station cost gaps and may adjust sticker fees and bulky waste rules. Jobs & Logistics Training: A 10-year ADEM partnership with La Provençale trained about 120 unemployed people as professional lorry drivers for refrigerated-truck operations. UNESCO Biosphere Update: UNESCO added new biosphere reserves to its World Network, including Portugal, as World Environment Day highlights biodiversity and protected ecosystems.

Portugal’s energy investment gap: A new analysis argues Portugal has the renewables position and grid potential investors want, but is losing out because licensing, grid connection and decision-making are too slow and fragmented—capital goes where friction is lower. World Cup 2026 business pressure: A Reuters economist poll tips France to beat Spain in the final, while separate reporting highlights how ticket prices are soaring ahead of kick-off, with demand and FIFA pricing pushing top matches into new territory. EU border checks hit travel flow: Holidaymakers are warned to clear passport control first as the EU Entry Exit System (EES) biometric checks are causing long queues and missed flights at major airports. Nuclear safety oversight: An IAEA mission in Malta reviewed the country’s radiation safety regulatory framework, including oversight of a centralised radioactive waste storage facility. Fintech event in Lisbon: Fintech Meetup Europe is set for Oct 6-8, 2026 in Lisbon, targeting senior leaders in payments and banking. Industrial tech in focus: A defence report says autonomous solar “drone boats” are being used to patrol the Rio Grande, with prior work including a voyage to Portugal.

Border Control Capacity: Portugal will deploy 340 more PSP officers at airports from 4 July to ease bottlenecks linked to the EU Entry/Exit System rollout, with Lisbon taking 140 and Porto 100, plus Faro, Funchal and Ponta Delgada. Energy & Industry: TagEnergy’s Portugal-linked clean energy push gets a boost as its Morwell BESS battery storage project in Australia wins development approval (620 MW/2.48 GWh), underlining how storage is becoming essential for grid reliability. Critical Minerals Supply Chain: Europe is bringing lithium pilot processing plants online to support a more sovereign EV battery supply chain, including recycling battery packs and producing lithium from hard rock and geothermal sources. Digital Infrastructure: ViaTunisia’s subsea cable segment between Marseille and Bizerte reaches ready-for-service status, strengthening resilient connectivity between Southern Europe and North Africa. Finance & M&A: Allianz is in advanced talks to buy Portuguese non-life insurer Caravela Seguros, potentially valuing it around €150m and expanding Allianz’s local portfolio. Cybersecurity: WatchGuard reports a new Grandoreiro malware campaign targeting financial institutions in Portugal and Latin America via DLL side-loading.

AI in Procurement: A new report argues AI is quietly moving into Portugal’s real economy, helping firms analyse tenders, organise documentation and draft proposals faster—cutting repetitive admin work and widening access for SMEs. Workforce Exposure: United Lisbon International School students spent time with partners including Edenred and EduHub, even visiting active construction sites, as part of a push to connect education with real industry roles. EU Enlargement Watch: EU Commissioner Marta Kos says Montenegro and Albania are moving into next phases of accession talks ahead of the EU–Western Balkans summit in Tivat, with a message that progress is “moving forward.” Energy Security via Solar: SolarPower Europe says solar has saved Europe €12.8bn since early June, boosting resilience as fossil fuel prices stay volatile. Regulatory Tech for Industry: TOMI Environmental Solutions reports EU approvals expanding its binary ionization disinfection technology to more member states, with mutual recognition expected to speed rollout. Portugal Business Footprint: Cosmos Health says its Sky Premium Life brand is now available across all 27 EU states via Skroutz, including Portugal. Aviation Training Link: Multinational helicopter exercise THRACIAN BLADE 2026 is underway with Portugal’s Multinational Helicopter Training Centre in Sintra involved.

EV Charging Push: The European Investment Bank is partnering with Ireland’s transport ministry and ZEVI to speed up a nationwide public EV charging rollout, using procurement and contract templates to get points within reach of every community. Human Rights in Agriculture: A Council of Europe watchdog warns Portugal is seeing trafficking risks tied to migrant seasonal farm work and vulnerable Portuguese groups, with hundreds of cases recorded between 2021-2024. Critical Raw Materials Scrutiny: Leaked EU Commission documents raise concerns over how “strategic projects” under the Critical Raw Materials Act were selected, including lithium mining and refining projects linked to Portugal. Home Insurance Pressure: Portuguese insurtech Mudey finds many homeowners think they understand home insurance, but struggle with basic coverage questions and often don’t know key policy details. Industrial Innovation Spotlight: Pilotfish, with offices including Lisbon, launched a renewed site focused on wearable and mobile product innovation for MedTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and Industry 4.0. Tourism & Local Economy: Dunas Course in Comporta has topped a new Portugal golf ranking, boosting attention on Alentejo’s luxury golf tourism.

AI Tax Debate: A new push for “robot” or “token” taxes is being questioned as Europe debates how to tax AI profits before it has built global scale, with Portugal highlighted for moves like AWS sovereign cloud, Furiosa AI in Lisbon, and data-centre plans in Sines. Energy Storage & Clean Power: Portuguese clean-energy firm TagEnergy secured development approval for Australia’s Morwell BESS, up to 1,000MW/4,000MWh, after earlier acquisition of the project—another sign of capital flowing into grid-scale storage. EU Industrial Policy: The European Commission adopted the 2026 European Semester Spring Package, steering Member States toward competitiveness, innovation, decarbonisation, housing and skills while keeping fiscal sustainability in focus. Aviation Disruption Watch: Airlines say jet-fuel supply fears are easing after the Iran shock, with Air Canada and Lufthansa pointing to stable fuel availability for summer operations. Portugal Labour Impact: A general strike hit the Algarve hard, closing employment centres, disrupting schools and healthcare, and cancelling 40+ Faro flights. Tech & Audio Tools: Leiria-based Sound Particles launched Beat Panner, a creative panning sequencer for music and sound design.