"In 2022 we had a record year for business investment in our country and by the first half of 2023 we were already above the first half of 2022. And therefore, probably, in 2023 we should set a new maximum for business investment in our country", said António Costa.

In his speech, Costa gave an account of the trajectory that the Portuguese economy has taken in recent years, registering an increase in the "stock" of foreign direct investment of 40% since 2015.

The resigning prime minister also highlighted that for the first time in the country's history, exports represented more than 50% of GDP, maintaining that this is the result of the ability to find markets, but also that what the country produces today has greater value than what traditionally produced.