TECMAIA
> It’s almost two years since Espaço Municipal took over the management of the Tecmaia park. How do you rate this process?
Inácio Fialho de Almeida
The learning curve for the ongoing processes, the knowledge, even at a personal level, of Park customers and the assessment of strengths and weaknesses proved to be a real challenge. On the other hand, the impact of the adoption of new management procedures for the Park was significant because our computer system had to be adapted to a reality quite different from that of our core business. So we had to reorganise the system of access and car parking, and that included upgrading the hardware and software. The counting and monitoring of energy consumption were also a priority. It has, in short, been an interesting process that has enriched the experience of the company's staff, though it has taken a considerable effort because only two of the eleven workers in the service of TECMAIA moved to Espaço Municipal.
TECMAIA
> How important is Tecmaia for the city council’s strategy of establishing the municipality as an example of entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen in the region?
Inácio Fialho de Almeida
Tecmaia is today a known name throughout Portugal, and within the region it brings considerable prestige to the City Council. Without downplaying any of the dozens of companies within it, the leading technology companies are known for their excellence and the employability of young people with higher education qualifications. We have over 1500 jobs here.
TECMAIA
> What short-term projects would you like to see implemented in the park?
Inácio Fialho de Almeida
Our ambition is to finish the construction of the two lots still to be completed during the present mandate. We are in the process of conducting negotiations to build a nursery/daycare (since more than half the workers are young women), a hotel and a restaurant, as well as significantly increasing the number of parking spaces.
We will move forward with the creation of a place to serve as a nest of companies. Energy efficiency is also in our programme, beginning this year with the installation of photovoltaic panels in the TECMAIA building.
TECMAIA
> As the greatest exporting municipality in the Porto Metropolitan Area, Maia has a prominent place in the national economy. In your opinion, what factors have led to these positive results?
Inácio Fialho de Almeida
There are two easily visible factors: accessibility (highways, airport, port of Leixões) and environmental quality. Nor is the existence of a university like ISMAI of lesser importance.
TECMAIA
> Finally, we invite you to leave a message to all entrepreneurs and innovators who are either from Maia or based here.
Inácio Fialho de Almeida
I believe that, in light of what I’ve said above, the environmental and infrastructural quality, the ranking on the scale of exports and the opportunity and welcome extended by the City Council to entrepreneurs, shared by the Maia Business Association, are all factors that reduce contextual costs, and therefore make it possible to increase the competitiveness of Maia's business structure.
