A democratic form of government that encourages overseas investments and allows investments and profits to be withdrawn by foreign residents.

A technically competent and skilled labor force with low labor costs.

Similarly the population is among the youngest in Europe.

Good command of English as a second language in the business world and in industry.

The weakness of Portugal's economy causes the country to have a low level of social services, which impacts the poor and less advantaged working class most severely.

The most serious deficiency is in the educational system, which has the worst record in the E.U.

The public bureaucracies play the role of a disguised welfare system.

Weak on project proliferation (7% of Portuguese development projects cost under $100,000)