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EDITORIAL

The image abroad...

Portugal is not Greece!
This scream announced during the last few months has now lost its firmness with the Portuguese government's decision to seek external financial assistance. Here in Portugal we still know the differences between the two countries, particularly when it comes to the Portuguese banking system which is – according to the "stress tests" – much more stable and healthier than the one of Greece, since the main reason for its rating decline was the negative effect caused by a dragging of the Portuguese public debt. But the question is: When people “abroad” are creating an image about Portugal, are they also able to make these distinctions?

However, in complicated situations like this, you may want to focus on the glass as half full rather than as half empty. Despite the latest news not transmitting a good image, which complicates on a short term "selling the country abroad", there is still a good point in it. Portugal is currently in the spotlight of Europe and even worldwide, which means: Portugal is transmitting an image!

One can say that to transmit an image is better than not transmitting anything, because not transmitting anything simply means not to exist in the minds of the others.
Recent reports, although negative, contribute to increase the perceptibility of Portugal. His quite faded existence on the map has been one of the biggest barriers to attracting international investments and interests. This is a pity, especially when considering that the country had to offer a lot of good things for the markets out there. At this time the image of a sick patient is transmitted, but at least of someone who deals with his own problems and weaknesses.

In this sense and with an optimistic look to the future, we expect as a good side of the current events the perceptibility of Portugal to be increased and that, in the medium/long term, this may bring benefit to the country.

Gregor Zemp
General Secretary