Lunch with Keynote Speaker & Fireside Chat – The Union of Savings and Investment

July 18 | 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM | InterContinental Lisbon

Main Sponsors: BIG | KPMG

“There is a clear perception that Europe has a risk-averse culture, and that cannot be a barrier to innovation.”
With this message, Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque set the tone for a meaningful discussion on the Union of Savings and Investment — a strategic priority for the European Commission. At a crucial time for the future of Europe’s economy, AmCham Portugal welcomed Maria Luís Albuquerque for a lunch debate dedicated to building a true Union of Savings and Investment.

The session opened with remarks from Isabel Furtado, Vice-President of AmCham Portugal, who emphasized the importance of mobilizing savings to drive investment and economic growth — a strong call to action at a time when Europe’s context demands bold decisions.

In her keynote, Commissioner Albuquerque highlighted the main challenges of Europe’s current financial architecture, stressing the urgent need to address capital market fragmentation and to create the conditions for citizens to access real investment opportunities.

Key discussion points included:

• Over €1.1 trillion in bank deposits that have no direct impact on the real economy;

• Europe’s persistent risk aversion and the need to shift that mindset;

• The belief that every citizen should be empowered to invest;

• The pressing need to ensure that capital markets serve all stakeholders — businesses, investors, and member states.

A Fireside Chat with Vítor Bento followed, offering a deeper exploration of the current limitations of the European system compared to the U.S. model. The conversation covered topics such as competitiveness, the role of stock exchanges in attracting investment, regulatory frameworks, and the urgency of removing barriers to business growth in Europe.
Vítor Bento offered a critical yet constructive perspective:

“The EU is quick to define goals, but often fails in execution. Regulation and supervision have, in many cases, reinforced risk aversion instead of correcting it.”

Commissioner Albuquerque concluded by underscoring that mobilizing savings is not only an economic matter but also a political and generational imperative. Europe will only be truly competitive if it aligns capital, ambition, and execution.

AmCham Portugal extends its gratitude to European Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque, Professor Vítor Bento, and our sponsors, BIG and KPMG, for contributing to a morning of strategic reflection on the path toward a stronger, more innovative Europe.

Program

12:30 PM – Welcome Drink
12:55 PM – Lunch
1:50 PM – Opening Remarks | AmCham Portugal
2:00 PM – Keynote Address: The Union of Savings and Investment – European Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque
2:10 PM – Fireside Chat: Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque & Professor Vítor Bento
3:00 PM – Closing