Jan. 19, 2026 –
The world economy is now reorganising itself around technological ecosystems, and it is in this field that true competitiveness is decided.
By Paulo Lopes, The Portugal News
It is no longer enough to talk about talent, political stability, or good macroeconomic indicators. What really distinguishes countries is their ability to actively participate in the most critical technology chains on the planet. And it is precisely at this point that Portugal has just taken another important step.
The decision of the National Innovation Agency to strengthen the Portuguese position in the microelectronics sector, with a support of 6.4 million euros to two strategic projects led by INL and the Institute of Telecommunications, is not just another public investment. It is a statement of ambition. It is Portugal saying that it wants to be in the semiconductor game, one of the most decisive industries for the economy of the future.
Little is said about it outside specialised circles, but semiconductors are now at the centre of practically everything: artificial intelligence, mobility, energy, defence, telecommunications, advanced computing, and the medical industry. Those who master this technology, or at least those who participate in a relevant way in its value chain, gain a strategic position on the global chessboard.