The International Blue Biotechnology Centre will be installed on the land of the old refinery in Matosinhos, and is expected to start operating in 2025. Portugal expects to attract revenues of between 10 and 14 billion euros in the development of innovative products from the sea
The International Blue Biotechnology Centre will be built in Matosinhos, in the grounds of the old refinery, which according to the Minister of Economy and Sea, António Costa Silva, "will put Portugal in the lead" of the transformation of the economic development model, which rests on the use of polluting products, even pointing out "obstacles". The Minister considers that this is one of the great transformational projects of the Portuguese economy, he said during the ceremony to sign the protocol with the city.
The project, considered to be very ambitious, is part of the blue economy programme, which the European Union estimates will reach 200 billion euros in 2030. The Minister expects Portugal to attract between 5-7% of this market value, generating revenues of between 10 and 14 billion euros.
The International Blue Biotechnology Centre will be made official in September and is a collaborative project between Galp, the Blue Ocean Foundation, the Matosinhos City Council, in the district of Porto, and the North Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N). The start of the centre's operations is scheduled for 2025.
António Costa Silva said that these two years will be used to collect everything that the working group will produce, format public policies and then mobilise the respective partners to put the project into operation. The protocol that was signed today involves the collaboration of the entities involved in creating the conditions for the creation of a space that contributes to employment, as well as the competitiveness of the region and the affirmation of the country as a leader in innovation and applied research in blue biotechnology on a global scale, the minister said. The infrastructure and technology development and management plan will be coordinated by the Blue Ocean Foundation. Galp will define the areas earmarked for the project and the Municipality of Madeira will promote the concept. CCDR-N will reinforce the contribution of the sea to the regional economy.
Remember that the International Blue Biotechnology Centre is one of the priorities of the program of the XXIII Constitutional Government, taking into account the bet on the "potential of the sea" and the "promotion of reindustrialization of traditional sectors through blue biotechnology, with special focus on entrepreneurial projects that allow the development of innovative products from the sea.
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