Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, June 8, 2026 (Lusa) - The business development and investment agency, Invest Madeira, has signed three memoranda of understanding with Chinese entities to strengthen economic ties between the Portuguese region and China, Madeira's Regional Secretariat for the Economy announced on Monday, noting that several companies are interested in investing on the island.
Quoted in a press release, the Secretary for the Economy stated that “there are Chinese companies in the fields of artificial intelligence, pharmacology, biotechnology and tourism interested in investing in Madeira”.
Taking stock of a five-day visit to Macau, Hong Kong and Hengqin, José Manuel Rodrigues noted that he had met with dozens of investors and companies, pointing out that “Madeira is very attractive to Chinese capital seeking a gateway to the European market”.
“Madeira can serve as a gateway for Chinese investment in Europe, given its strategic location and the conditions it offers to investors,” the minister emphasised, as quoted in the same press release.
The Secretary for the Economy also highlights that “China is already Portugal’s main exporter outside the European Union, selling us five times more products than the United States”, adding that visits by Chinese investors to Madeira have been scheduled until the end of the year.
José Manuel Rodrigues also believes that Madeiran companies with export capacity “can and should seek out market niches, particularly in Macau and Hong Kong, notably Madeira Wine, which is highly appreciated in those regions”.
During the visit, the minister said he also highlighted the added value of the Madeira International Business Centre for foreign investment.
“If the European Union does not ignore this reality and grants us a fifth, more competitive regime, similar to others already granted (…), I believe the conditions are in place for us to once again attract Asian investment to the Centre and give a fresh boost to our business hub – provided the Eurocrats in Brussels understand this,” he concludes.
TFS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
