IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation and Tourism of Portugal, in partnership with the financial system and Banco Português de Fomento, distinguished this Thursday, November 20th, 3925 companies with the PME Excelência 2024 status. These awards, awarded since 2009, aim to recognize companies that demonstrate financial strength, innovation capacity and relevant contribution to the country’s economic development.
These almost four thousand companies, which account for 125,729 jobs in the country, total a turnover of around 17 billion euros in 2023, an increase of 19% compared to 2022. Together exported around 2.8 billion eurosa growth of 20.4%. Net results reached 2.4 billion eurosan increase of 44% in the same comparative analysis. According to information released by IAPMEI, this business universe generated an EBITDA of 3.5 billion euros in 2023 (38.2% more). Average financial autonomy was 64.8% at the end of that year, having increased by 6.1 percentage points compared to 2022. Global assets reached 14.7 billion euros.
The indicators show “a strong increase in activity and presence in external markets” of these SMEs in 2023, “a substantial improvement in economic performance and an increase in investment”, with reinforcement of capitalization levels, says IAPMEI in a statement. “PME Excelência are a reflection of the best management and resilience of our business fabric”, states José Pulido Valente, president of the agency in the note sent to the press.
The vast majority of distinctions were obtained by small companies. In total, they represent 72.3% (2839) of the 3925 distinguished. Medium-sized companies account for 21.2% (833) and micro-enterprises account for 6.4% (253). The commerce and industry sectors continue to lead in representation in the PME Excelência 2024 universe, with 961 (24.5%) and 841 companies (21.4%), respectively. Next are the tourism sectors, with 787 companies (20.1%), services, with 549 (14%), and construction and real estate, with 543 (13.8%).
The districts with the highest number of distinguished companies were Lisbon (817 companies; 20.8% of the total), Porto (725; 18.5%), Braga (364; 9.3%) and Faro (315; 8%).
According to the statement, “the evolution of PME Excelência over the last five years does not show any major structural changes, in terms of its regional implementation or dimensional class”. Commerce brings together the highest percentage of companies with PME Excelência status, with values ranging between 25% and 30% in the last five years. The extractive and manufacturing industry maintains second place, with average values of around 24%. Tourism is the third sector, with a relative weight of 20%, having surpassed the position it reached in 2019. In terms of relative position, the services and construction and real estate sectors follow, with around 14% of PME Excelência companies.
The awards, which recognize the merit and solidity of these business companies, were presented at a ceremony that took place in Guimarães and was attended by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, and the Secretary of State for Economy, João Rui Ferreira, as well as representatives of the partner entities and distinguished companies.