Forum Manufuture Portugal involved in European Economic Recovery Plan

The Fábrica do Futuro initiative, adopted by Durão Barroso’s European Economic Recovery Plan, is based on a proposal from the Manufuture European Platform. Since 2004, INESC Porto is strongly involved in this platform where Portugal plays a significant role: Belmiro de Azevedo (SONAE SGPS) takes the position of President of the Industrial Advisory Group, Carlos Costa (European Investment Bank) is the Vice-President of the High Level Group, José Manuel Mendonça (President of INESC Porto) is member of the Support Group and José Carlos Caldeira (Director of INESC Porto) is the Coordinator of the National and Regional Platforms.

This initiative, with an investment of 1200 million Euros, aims at maximising competitiveness within European companies (namely small and medium enterprises) in a context of market globalisation. The Manufuture Porto Manifesto is at the base of this initiative. Here, the aim is to establish European public and private partnerships through a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) in the area of manufacturing technologies.