Portugal IN, the Portuguese government’s special Brexit task force, has expressed its willingness to help UK-based EU-based companies to “seamlessly integrate into the country” as Britain prepares to leave the Union. European at the end of October.

According to the task force, the automotive industry, which is already a central sector for the Portuguese economy, will be key to driving UK companies to the country.

“With the onset of Brexit, the Portuguese government has been working intensively to attract FDI in the [automotive] sector and has helped auto companies expand in the country to ensure steady growth,” said a statement from the task force. .

To offer incentives, the Portuguese government has launched two public programs, called Interface e Indústria 4.0, which aim to improve and promote innovation, productivity, value creation and the incorporation of technology.

“This sector is of strategic importance for the Portuguese economy due to its diversity, ability to create qualified jobs … [and offers] an important incentive for innovation, development and knowledge in Portugal,” said the working group of the government.

Despite challenges related to security, climate and energy, the group claimed that “modern Portugal” would offer companies “space for innovation and creativity.”

There are currently four major car manufacturers in Portugal: Toyota / Salvador Caetano, PSA Peugeot / Citroën, Mitsubishi FUSO Trucks and Volkswagen AutoEuropa.

The country also recently launched Mobinov, a platform that aims to bring together knowledge and skills within the automotive industry to improve its competitiveness.

Mobinov affirms that his objective is to transform Portugal into a “reference in research, innovation, design, development, manufacture and testing of the products and services of the automotive industry”.