In March 2019, the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) Cluster, through its managing entity the PTPC – Portuguese Technological Platform for Construction, signed a Sectoral Pact for Competitiveness and Internationalisation with the Ministry of Economy.

In the presence of the Prime Minister, António Costa, the signing of this pact represents the opportunity to boost and strengthen the internationalisation of companies in the infrastructure, construction, engineering and architecture sector.

The Partnership established between the Ministry of Economy and the AEC Cluster aims, through the definition of a set of measures and strategic actions, to promote the competitiveness of the sector and strengthen its ability to address current challenges, namely:

1. Promoting the transformation and modernization of the existing industrial fabric;
2. Fostering the internationalisation of companies in the sector, their external promotion and integration in international value chains;
3. Anticipating and preparing the evolution of industry needs, namely in terms of skills and jobs;
4. Contributing to the energy and ecological transition;
5. Improving the business environment, including the stimulation of collaborative dynamics and regulatory adaptation mechanisms.

The Sectoral Pacts for Competitiveness and Internationalisation embody a set of new initiatives in the areas of the digitalisation of industries (i4.0), the training of human resources, the consolidation of the country’s external attractiveness factors, internationalisation and the promotion of research and development, encouraging the development of a Circular Economy and an effective energy and ecological transition, as well as improving the regulatory and legal environment of companies.