Paulo Portas

Paulo Portas served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal (2011-2015). Also Minister of State and National Defense between 2002 and 2005.

As Deputy PM, oversaw relations with “Troika” and coordination of economic policies. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, his focus was economic diplomacy, with attributions of internationalization of Portuguese private sector, competitiveness, promotion of exports and attraction of foreign investments.

Prominent promoter of structural reforms, he complied with adjustment of public finance and, at the same time, build and launch the competitive case of Portugal, with strong results in the economic recovery, growth of exports and investments. Presided over 40 Joint Bilateral Economic Committees with other countries and led more than 70 official and business missions to promote the “Portugal brand”.

Dr. Portas was leader of the moderate conservative CDS-PP for 16 years, eight of them served in Government in coalition with PSD. Was elected member of portuguese Parliament for 8 terms. Was simultaneously the youngest and most enduring party leader among the democratic parties in Portugal.

In 2016, decided not to stand for re-election.

Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Portugal.

President of the Strategic Council for Latin America and Africa of the largest international portuguese infrastructures company (Mota Engil). Member of the international board of Pemex (Mex Gas).

Dr. Portas founded Vinciamo Consulting, strategic advisory and business intelligence company, with activities in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Arabian Gulf.

Directs “Geo Economics and International Relations” seminars for directors and board members of multinational companies.

He graduated in Law from the Portuguese Catholic University.

Professor of "Geo-Economics and International Relations" in the MBA of Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova University of Portugal: first Portuguese University in Financial Times ranking; Top 3 in Master’s in Economics in Europe - Eduniversal).

Professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Emirates, in charge of "Business Diplomacy and International Relations".

Since 2018, a non-resident Senior Fellow at Financial Institute of the Renmin University of China (Beijing).

Since 2018, Dr. Portas is author and commentator of the leading tv program "Global", focused in international affairs. Every Sunday night on TVI main channel.

In the 90s he was co-founder of the successful weekly newspaper "O Independente".

Dr. Portas received the highest decorations and awards for foreign personalities of countries like USA, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Spain among others.