Porto Commercial Association was founded in 1834 and is today the country' oldest business association.
Based upon the principles of private enterprise, free trade and the primacy of the individual, it always acted as a Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has representatives of all business areas such as agricultural industry, tourism, industry, commerce, distribution, services and the professions, citizens that are the economic face of the region - bankers, insurers, managers, brokers, industrialists, traders, merchants, consultants, tourist service professionals, economists, marketeers, lawyers, architects, engineers, doctors, artists.
ACP-CCIP has for over 165 years been linked to invaluable projects for the Region's development, such as the draft project of the first Portuguese commercial code, the building of the Palácio da Bolsa which it owns, the creation of the Centre for Economic and Financial Studies, at the origin of the Economics Faculty of Porto, the creation of the first two banks and the first insurance company, as well as the setting-up of the Porto Stock Exchange.
It was also a driving force behind the development of the first phase of Leixões harbour and more recently the Association for the Transport and Communications Museum. It was also at the origin of the tourist destination "Porto/Northern Portugal" and of the concept "Porto Region, Geographical Centre of the Iberian Peninsula's Atlantic Façade", among many other projects, ideas and initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS CENTRE
In the EU's economic area very few companies still require the services normally performed by the Chambers of Commerce to carry out contacts or to enter into international relationships.
The action of the Chambers of Commerce on a European level should essentially be centered on a sphere of a political nature, providing institutional representation and seeking to influence decisions that may affect the image and negotiating ability of Portuguese companies, fostering the principles of free trade and the creation of stable macroeconomic conditions.
This role is particularly important in less known markets where distance, soundness and reliability are still an important hurdle for business.
The International Relations Centre bases its activity in technical support and in the follow-up of institutional representation activities and lobbying, which ACP-CCIP has been increasingly performing on an international levels.
ACP-CCIP has growing connections with the international Chambers of Commerce networks, namely through AICO - Iberian-American Chambers of Commerce Association, CEFAT - International Conference of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Shipping of the Atlantic Trans-European Railway Network and Eurochambres, thus promoting privileged circuits of information.
It also has privileged contacts with the international network of embassy and consulate commercial departments, with Portuguese communities throughout the world, as well as with public bodies engaging in the promotion of commerce, tourism and investment, akin to ICEP and IAPMEI.
Through ACP-CCIP economic agents in general and members in particular may accede to a set of information concerning incentives to investment in foreign countries apart from simple but decisive information on the reliability and good repute of prospective partners, customers or suppliers with whom they may wish to enter into commercial relationships.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Statistical Information - Demographic and economic indicators on a regional, national and international basis.
Investment support - Information regarding programmes and initiatives for supporting investment and business activities.
Commercial Opportunities - Permanently updated opportunities and inquiries received at ACP-CCIP from all over the world.
Marketing Listings - Addresses of Portuguese companies and institutions by sector, location, turnover, number of staff or import/export activity, which can be complemented by ACP-CCIP's Mailing Services.
Collection Support - Whenever so required ACP-CCIP intervenes in commercial differences between members or third parties, making available mediation and conciliation services. This service also covers foreign trade through its contact network.
Juridical Support - A counselling service, comprising the preparation of legal advice and of studies of compared law. This department works closely with ACP-CCIP's Arbitration and Conciliation Centre.
General Co-operation - The national and international contact networks, the Library and the Documentation Centre and the Data Bases, amongst others, provide access to information on a wide range of subjects on business activity support. The signing of co-operation agreements with several entities, among which the University of Porto, Porto Polytechnic and prestigious consultancies enable these services to have specialised support whenever necessary.
Within the powers granted by law to the Chambers of Commerce (Decree-Law no. 244/92, of 20 October) ACP-CCIP, by State delegation, provides services in two distinct areas, namely by providing documents and certificates in support of trade in general and of foreign trade in particular:
- Certificates of Origin, which, by attesting that internationally established origin denomination criteria have been complied with, add value and security to international transactions - Decree-Law no. 75/86 of 23 April;
- ATA Notes, for goods being temporarily exported;
- Visas, for the certification of documents supporting the export of goods;
- Character Statements, attesting the existence, repute or good practices of a certain agent or company.
CONTACTS:
correio@cciporto.pt
http://www.cciporto.com/
FOR STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE VINHOS VERDES WINE REGION please visit this website
FOR STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE PORT AND DOURO WINE REGION please visit:
Statistics - Port Wine
