Minister Manuel Castro Almeida calls for higher growth in Portugal's interior

During the centenary celebrations of Estremoz's elevation to city status, Portugal's Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, advocated for accelerated economic growth in the country's interior regions. He argued that to reduce territorial disparities, the interior must grow at a rate higher than the national average. For example, if the national economy grows by 2%, the interior should aim for 3%.

Castro Almeida emphasized that the Alentejo region is currently experiencing a period of entrepreneurship and public investment. He stated that the government aims to provide the necessary conditions to ensure that living in the interior remains a viable option for local residents, a concept he referred to as the ‘right to stay’.

The Minister also called for a shift in the public discourse regarding interior territories, moving away from focusing solely on aging populations and urban distance toward highlighting economic opportunities and productive capacity.