葡萄牙公司专注于中国市场

Despite a positive outlook from Portugal's Prime Minister, many Portuguese companies are struggling back home. CCTV's reporter looks at how some of these companies are starting to fix their focus on the Chinese market.

Signs of Portugal's long trading history are clear to see on the banks of Porto's Douro river. Despite the scars of the recent financial crisis, business in Portugal is once again starting to flow.

One of the key reasons for that is due to closer trading ties with China. And Politicians here are keen to boost that relationship further. 

"We have important investments of Chinese firms in the energy sector and several other sectors. There has been a huge interest from Chinese companies but also in trade. We already export products to China, from wine to motor cars and several other areas and we want to increase these exchanges," said Manuel Caldeira Cabral, Economy Minister of Portugal.

Trade between Portugal and China has increased dramatically. In recent years, only the UK, Germany and France have received more Chinese investment in the Euro-zone. And one of the key attractions is the access to two different markets. 

"Portugal of course is not only a European country. A member of the single market and the Euro but also has added value which is its close ties with Portuguese speaking countries," said Sergio Martins Alves, Portuguese Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

"So the Chinese companies as you can already see from the first big investments that started in 2011, they are already taking advantage of that." 

One of the Portuguese companies making the most of the improved trade links with China is Santos and Santos.

When the financial crisis hit, this family run wine estate focused on new overseas markets. Now 20% of their sales revenue comes from China.

"I think the Portuguese are very aware of the importance of China. So I think that all of us, not only our company has that vision. It is very present in our minds China is indeed a very big opportunity we must not miss," said Carla Santos, Santos Wines.

Latest figures indicate that trade between China and Portugal jumped a further 20 percent in the first six months of the year. Many here are confident that trend will continue.

"In the beginning, the circle was very small. And now the circle is enlarging. At the beginning it was only the state owned companies that came to Portugal, the big ones. Then the privates come. And now the circle is enlarging. So in a way, fresh air comes to Portugal," said Maria Fernanda Ilheu, Lisbon School of Economics and Management.

Portugal still has many financial challenges ahead. But the country is working hard to find solutions.