Economy

Christmas is in town! As of December 1, Porto will officially open the holiday season with the Christmas lighting ceremony, starting at 5.30 pm in Aliados. As it has become tradition over the past few years, tens of thousands are expected to head to Avenida dos Aliados, in the town centre to partake the spirit of a festive town centre.

"Porto, talent incubator" is the theme of a news published by the weekly newspaper Expresso, last weekend. The two-page article provides facts to inform that investment undertakings in Porto and in the North region of Portugal created an estimated 8000 jobs over 3 years.

Porto comes alive with a five-week programme of concerts, dance and circus acts, street theatre, workshops, exhibitions, markets, ice-skating rinks, lots of entertainment, live music and dancing in the streets. Porto City Hall has selected the best entertainment agenda for this holiday season, beginning 1 December and running till 7 January.

The dates for the second edition of North Music Festival 2018 have already been set. The event is scheduled to happen 25 and 26 May, at the Customs Building in Porto. The full poster will be announced shortly.

December is the time to partake the holiday feeling on the streets and squares in Porto. Nearly 30 different events invite you to take part in all kinds of entertainment with family and friends. In addition to the usual programmes, the city also offers initiatives to celebrate this time of year.

Portugal and India have a close historical relation that is crucial to uphold by developing partnerships that are mutually rewarding. In this context, the Palácio da Bolsa played host to the India Business Event, 22 November. This entailed identifying and capitalising business opportunities and encouraging investment between the largest democracy in the world, namely the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and Porto.

The ice skating rinks will open at 6 pm. The rinks are located at D. João I Square and at the Boavista Roundabout, where the Fantasy Square will bring a fairy-tale quality to Porto in this holiday season. The time of year to be merry is just around the corner. If tradition is your thing, ice-skating is a must-do. What could be more fun than gliding like swans on ice?

INFARMED (Portuguese Authority of Medicines and Health Products), will be relocated to Porto as of January 2019. After disappointing news regarding EMA - Amsterdam was the chosen city to host the European Medicines Agency- the "good news" is that the Portuguese Government decided to transfer Infarmed's Head Office to the city of Porto.

Representatives of events agencies all around the world were present at the Rivoli Theatre. This was the highlight of this festival that chose Porto as a host city of its 12nd edition, the first with a global context.

Gastronomic suggestions from different regions of the country and concerts are part of the "We love our cuisine with Coca-Cola" festival's menu that starts today and closes Sunday, 19 November in the Gardens of Palácio de Cristal. A tent was installed in front of Rosa Mota Pavilion to host the third edition of the said festival.