On 3 June, the Hispano-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce held the Vasco da Gama Awards. This event recognises and values the strategic and economic impact of companies operating in both countries and reaffirms the institution's commitment to the growth of the Business community and the strengthening of bilateral economic ties between Spain and Portugal.

VdA sponsored the ‘Portuguese Business Excellence’ award, which was presented to Sonae Sierra. Fernando Resina da Silva, Partner at VdA and Head of Office VdA Spain, who presented the award at the event held in Madrid, said on the occasion that "it is an honour for VdA to sponsor this award, which recognises the value of the winning company and its activity in the Spanish market, constituting a clear example of the quality of Portuguese companies investing in the neighbouring country, thus contributing to the strengthening and rapprochement of the two economies".

António Calçada, President of the Hispano-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, in his welcome speech at this edition of the Vasco da Gama Awards, highlighted that: ‘at such a critical time as the one we are living through with the current geopolitical and geostrategic context worldwide, it is a source of satisfaction and pride to see how, every year, the ecosystem of Iberian companies grows and strengthens in both markets’.

José Augusto Duarte, Portuguese Ambassador to Spain, then expressed his gratitude to the Chamber for ‘its performance and the economic relationship between the two countries, which has not only been strengthened but has also become an engine of shared growth between the two countries, influencing them in different ways’.

After introducing the guest of honour, Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Economy, Trade and Business of the Spanish Government, invited him to ‘work side by side, combining strategy and perseverance so that Portugal and Spain have a common vision and a future’.

In this edition of the Awards, the recognition for Spanish business excellence was awarded to Plenergy, a company that is investing in its expansion in Portugal in the service station sector.Finally, the João Flores honorary award, which recognises individuals who have contributed with their dedication and effort to the development of bilateral relations between Spain and Portugal, was awarded to Pedro Moreira, partner at SCA, for his contribution to the Chamber of Commerce over the last 20 years and to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Spain and Portugal.

The ceremony, which brought together personalities from the business world and institutional representatives from both countries, is part of the Chamber's regular programme, which aims to lead Iberian cooperation as a fundamental axis for business development in the region.