By: Caroline Cunha
THE PORTUGUESE Chamber held a networking lunch last Thursday for members at the Four Seasons Fairways club in Quinta do Lago, its first event of the year in the Algarve.
More than 65 members and guests, many from the real estate and construction sectors, attended to hear guest speaker Claudia Assis de Almeida, a board member from the Instituto dos Mercados de Obras Públicas e Particulares e do Imobiliário, (IMOPPI), the government entity that guides, promotes and regulates the property industry and is responsible for the issuing of construction and estate agency licences.
Within the next two months, IMOPPI will cease to exist.
The government has decided to change its name to Instituto da Construção e do Imobiliário (INCI) the institute for construction and real estate.
Its responsibilities are being increased and the government has decided it should be focussed on mobilising the sector and getting closer to the companies in the industry, as well as continuing to deal with business associations.
In order to modernise the institute and make its services more user friendly, a new website is about to be launched allowing documents to be downloaded and for licences to be applied for online.
Good news
This is good news for companies in the Algarve, as it will no longer be necessary to travel to IMOPPI’s office in Lisbon and all information requests and queries can be dealt with online. Initially, the site will be available at www.imoppi.pt, changing to www.inci.pt.
Based in London, the Portuguese Chamber represents a major force in UK-Portuguese business offering a wide range of support services, especially helpful to firms wishing to start or develop business between Portugal and the UK.
It also provides a business networking forum for companies and individuals through its varied programme of activities and events.
The Chamber strives to promote the image of Portugal in the UK as a major European business partner.
The next event in the Algarve will be the Annual Golf Day and Dinner, held at Alto Golf and Country Club in Alvor on July 5. For more information visit www.portuguese-chamber.org.uk or call + 44 207 201 6638.
