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Competitiveness and Internationalisation OP

Programme description

Main objectives

The thematic Operational Programme "Competitiveness and Internationalization" has a strong structural component, focusing on results and actions capable of transforming the economic fabric. It promotes private involvement that will allow a greater leverage of Structural Funds allocations for the benefit of the Portuguese economy.

The main challenge for Portugal is to significantly increase its competitiveness, mobilizing and leveraging resources and skills, promoting job creation and convergence with the more developed EU economies. Hence, the thematic OP aims at a more competitive economy based on knowledge intensive activities, investment in tradable goods and services and strengthening the export orientation and skills of Portuguese companies, particularly SMEs. It also promotes cost savings associated to the increased efficiency of public services and to the improvement of transport links including the integration in European networks.

Funding priorities:

  • Strengthening research, technological development and innovation;
  • Enhancing access to, and use and quality of, ICT;
  • Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs;
  • Promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures;
  • Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility; and
  • Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders and efficient public administration

Expected impacts:

  • Number of companies supported for research and development (R&D) and Innovation: 700
  • R&D projects: 2000
  • Reinforcement of R&D and Innovation : EUR 2.1 billion
  • SMEs expected to benefit: 4000
  • SME competitiveness (including reduction of public framework costs): EUR 2.5 billion
  • Projects with access online public services: 90

Programme text

Programa Operacional para a Competitividade e Internacionalização

Funds

Cohesion Fund (CF): 578.308.060,00 €

Regional Development Fund (ERDF): 4.984.099.974,00 €

European Social Fund (ESF): 745.723.228,00 €

Thematic priorities

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Financial information

Total OP budget: 8.304.146.678,00 €

Total EU contribution: 6.308.131.262,00 €

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