PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL SCIENCE AND INNOVATION SUMMIT IN LISBON.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, government officials, European representatives and leaders from science, academia and business gathered to debate Portugal’s future research and innovation priorities.
Lisbon, 16 July 2026 — Mr D. S. Saini, Director of Crown Portugal, participated in the first Ciência e Inovação 2026 Meeting, held on 15 and 16 July at the Lisbon Congress Centre.
The major national event marked the first large-scale gathering organised by Portugal’s new Agency for Research and Innovation—AI². It brought together more than 2,000 participants from the scientific, academic, institutional and business communities to discuss how research, technology and innovation can contribute to Portugal’s economic and social development.
The opening session was attended by the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro,
Together with João Barros, President of AI². In his address, the Prime Minister called for greater national ambition and emphasised the importance of transforming knowledge into development, competitiveness, qualified employment and improved living conditions.
The high-level programme also included the participation of:
Fernando Alexandre, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation; Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation; João Rui Ferreira, Secretary of State for the Economy; Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation; representatives of the European Commission, the OECD, universities, research institutions, technology organisations and Portuguese companies.
The programme featured national debates, plenary discussions, networking sessions and presentations covering artificial intelligence, digital health, aerospace and defence, energy, climate, oceans, robotics, industrial innovation, research funding, technology transfer and the future of scientific careers.
A total of 206 proposals contributed to 20 participatory sessions across six major areas:
Digital; Health; Environment and Territory; Industry and Energy; Society; and the Science and Innovation Ecosystem. The proposals mobilised more than 1,200 contributors and approximately 1,000 organisations.
The first day also incorporated the Horizon Europe Implementation Day, with European Commission experts presenting guidance on the 2026–2027 work programmes, European research grants, funding rules, evaluation procedures and bringing research results to the market.
During the two-day event, Mr D. S. Saini represented Crown Portugal and engaged with senior Portuguese officials.
Institutional representatives and leaders from Portugal’s business, scientific and innovation communities. His participation supported Crown Portugal’s commitment to professional education, entrepreneurship, international cooperation, technological development and the integration of diverse communities into Portugal’s economic and social future.
The meeting provided an important platform for strengthening relationships among public institutions, researchers, entrepreneurs, and companies, while helping to define the strategic priorities of AI² and Portugal’s research and innovation policies for the coming years.
CROWN PORTUGAL’S VISION FOR INTERNATIONAL TALENT AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.
Through its participation in Ciência e Inovação 2026, Crown Portugal is seeking stronger opportunities for international talent, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and immigrant communities living in Portugal.
Mr D. S. Saini emphasised that international professionals and immigrant communities can play an important role in Portugal’s future development, particularly in science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, professional training, digital transformation and international business cooperation.
Crown Portugal believes that Portugal can further benefit by creating stronger connections among public institutions, universities, research centres, companies, and qualified international communities. Many immigrants bring professional experience, technical skills, business networks, cultural diversity and international market knowledge that can contribute positively to Portuguese society and the national economy.
During the event, Mr Saini engaged with senior representatives of the Portuguese Government, institutional officials and leaders from Portugal’s scientific and business communities. Crown Portugal will continue working to create platforms that connect international talent with education, employment, entrepreneurship, research and innovation opportunities.
CROWN PORTUGAL ADVOCATES A STRONGER ROLE FOR INTERNATIONAL TALENT AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN PORTUGAL’S FUTURE
Crown Portugal’s participation in Science and Innovation 2026 reflects its continued commitment to identifying better opportunities for international talent, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and immigrant communities living in Portugal.
According to Crown Portugal, Portugal’s future growth will depend not only on public investment and national institutions, but also on the country’s ability to recognise, integrate and use the knowledge, experience and professional capacity already present within its international communities.
Immigrants in Portugal come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including technology, healthcare, engineering, education, construction, business management, tourism, logistics, digital services and entrepreneurship.
Crown Portugal believes that international talent should be more closely connected with universities, vocational training institutions, research centres, business associations, public authorities and employers.
Better cooperation between these sectors could help qualified migrants improve their skills, obtain professional recognition and participate more actively in Portugal’s scientific and economic development.
During the event, Mr D. S. Saini, Director of Crown Portugal, interacted with senior representatives of Portuguese institutions, government officials and leaders from the business, education, science and innovation communities. These discussions focused on the importance of professional training, integration, entrepreneurship, employment and the contribution of diverse communities to Portugal’s long-term development.
Crown Portugal is particularly interested in supporting initiatives that provide international professionals and immigrant communities with access to:
professional and vocational training;
Portuguese-language and integration programmes;
employment and career-development opportunities;
entrepreneurship and business-support networks;
digital, scientific and technological skills;
connections with Portuguese companies and public institutions;
and opportunities to participate in research, innovation and international cooperation projects.
Mr Saini highlighted that integration should go beyond documentation and basic access to services. Successful integration also means creating pathways through which people can use their education, professional experience, business ideas and international connections for the benefit of Portuguese society.
