The president of the Coimbra Municipality, Ana Abrunhosa, presented GO Coimbra as a strategic instrument for economic development and territorial affirmation. "The responsibility of politics is not to celebrate potential. It is to create the conditions to transform it into results," stated the mayor, advocating for a Coimbra capable of converting knowledge into innovation, investment, companies, and qualified employment.
Ana Abrunhosa also highlighted the importance of an economic strategy that transcends the administrative boundaries of the municipality, based on complementarity between municipalities, institutions, and companies. "Coimbra does not lose by sharing scale. Coimbra gains scale when the Region grows," she emphasized.
This was followed by the presentation of the agency by its Chairman of the Board, João Ramalhete, who outlined its mission, operating model, and strategic priorities. "Coimbra is the value proposition. GO Coimbra is the entry point," stated Ramalhete, explaining that the agency will act as a single point of contact for companies and investors, facilitating procedures and supporting projects.
The agency's operations are organized into four complementary areas: GO BUILD – Install, GO CONNECT – Grow, GO INVEST – Invest, and GO INNOVATE – Test. João Ramalhete presented a results-oriented strategy for up to 2029, with targets including a 20% reduction in decision-making time for investors, the creation of over 750 skilled jobs, and a 10% increase in exports.
In his closing remarks, Luís Paulo Costa, representing the Metropolitan Region of Coimbra, highlighted knowledge, talent, and quality of life as the territory's competitive advantages, considering GO Coimbra an important tool to enhance the region's external projection. Nuno Nascimento, vice-president of the CCDR Centro, advocated for attracting investment at a regional level, stating that "proximity is a strength, fragmentation is undoubtedly a weakness".
The launch included two debate panels. The first, "Knowledge, Talent, and Innovation: what distinguishes us," featured Miguel Antunes (Vice-President of the Municipality), Nuno Mendonça (Vice-Rector of the University of Coimbra), Cândida Malça (Rector of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra), and João Gabriel Silva (Director of the Pedro Nunes Institute).
The second panel, "Companies, Investment, and Growth: what drives us," moderated by Miguel Antunes, included participation from Isabel Gomes (General Manager of SRAM Portugal), Ana Rodrigues Silva (creator of the Pediatric Line), Beatriz Almeida (National Director of the Center for the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs - ANJE), and Joaquim Silva Nunes (Executive Director of Olympus Medical Products).
The event underscored GO Coimbra's ambition to enhance the existing ecosystem, strengthen collaboration among its stakeholders, and promote Coimbra in national and international markets, while also fostering regional cooperation opportunities. The initiative concluded with a networking session.
