Strengthening Institutional Relations: An Introduction to the New Public Affairs Framework in Portugal
May 28, 2026 | Hyatt Regency Lisbon
In collaboration with Grupo Albión
AmCham Portugal hosted an executive breakfast on the new Public Affairs framework in Portugal, with João Marques de Almeida as speaker and Alex Moore Mayorga as moderator.
The session brought together business leaders and representatives from different sectors for a strategic reflection on the growing role of institutional relations in an international context marked by greater geopolitical instability, rising economic protectionism and increasingly significant political intervention in the economy.
Throughout the discussion, it became clear that companies today face a context profoundly different from the one that existed just a few years ago. The growing link between politics, the economy and markets calls for a strategic adaptation on the part of organizations and their leaders.
Particular emphasis was placed on the idea that “thinking you can enter new markets without dealing with politics is impossible”, reflecting the reality of an economic environment in which political and regulatory decisions carry growing weight in business activity.
The session also addressed the need for companies to maintain an ongoing and structured dialogue with political and institutional decision-makers, as well as the importance of developing strategic communication capable of defending their interests in an environment of greater public scrutiny.
The growing role of CEOs as public figures and institutional representatives of their organizations was also discussed, at a time when companies are increasingly called upon to take a stand on economic, social and political issues.
Another highlight was the future framework of the Lobbying Law in Portugal. Despite the challenges associated with its implementation, the importance of transparency and of gradually building greater institutional maturity in this area was emphasized.
Throughout the conversation, there was also room for particularly relevant insights and concrete examples of institutional relations and strategic management which, under the Chatham House Rule, remained reserved for those present.
The session also underlined the importance of platforms such as AmCham Portugal as a space for dialogue between companies, institutions and policymakers, fostering a closer, more strategic and more constructive relationship between the private sector and political power.
AmCham Portugal thanks João Marques de Almeida, Grupo Albión and all the participants for their attendance and contributions to a particularly relevant discussion on the challenges shaping today’s economic and institutional context.
