Portalegre, Portugal, Sept. 1, 2026 (Lusa) - An Iberian ‘cluster' is being established in Portalegre to support the development of companies linked to the defence industry, dual-use technologies and advanced industrial production, they announced on Tuesday.
The Industrial Portugal Gateway is a project that the organisers will present on 25 September at the Portalegre Region Business Centre (NERPOR).
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, the president of NERPOR, Tiago Braga, explained that this ‘cluster', promoted by the Luso Defence Group with the participation of that Alentejo-based organisation, aims to «help companies outside the European market to establish themselves within it».
The ‘cluster' will have its first base of operations in Portalegre, at NERPOR's premises.
According to the organisers, the choice of the region stems from «its location» near the border with Spain, the «availability of land», the business «receptiveness» and the «potential for links» between the two countries.
«It is a district-level cluster. We will focus on the district of Portalegre, and for very specific industries that need to be closer to the coast, we will consider working with other municipalities outside the district of Portalegre, which is our base,» he explained.
According to Tiago Braga, «advanced negotiations» are under way with companies from Thailand, Malaysia, China and Cyprus to develop the project.
«Europe is currently a very attractive market for these companies,» he pointed out.
Tiago Braga also added that Europe «needs to create defence mechanisms» and that the market «is aware» of this fact, which is leading companies from outside Europe to seek entry into the European market.
«Portugal is also a highly attractive market, as funds have been channelled into this area; low-density regions, which include Portalegre, are areas where funding is increased, and Portalegre is doubly favoured because it is very close to Lisbon and Madrid (Spain), which makes it attractive for this type of industry,» he added.
In addition to attracting international companies, the Industrial Portugal Gateway aims to engage Portuguese and Spanish firms that can integrate into new supply chains, provide specialised services, develop technology or participate in industrial projects promoted through the ‘cluster'.
The areas covered include unmanned systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, communications, cybersecurity, civil protection, surveillance and monitoring technologies, mobility, engineering, industrial components and other solutions with civil and defence applications.
During the project presentation in Portalegre, the organisers will also launch the ‘Iberian Defence Expo', a biennial international trade fair dedicated to defence, security, dual-use technologies, and strategic industry sectors.
According to the organisers, the first edition is scheduled for September 2027 at the NERPOR premises in Portalegre and will bring together business and technology exhibitions, conferences, investors, knowledge centres, demonstrations and opportunities for industrial cooperation, amongst other activities.
HYT/ADB // ADB.
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