» The Portuguese Central Bank (Banco de Portugal) authorized
the setting up of SOFID, the “Portuguese EDFI”


The board of the Banco de Portugal in its meeting of July 25th 2007 has authorized the constitution of the “Portuguese EDFI”, - SOFID.

As a financial institution, SOFID’s mission will be the following:

- to foster investment and business in developing countries and to support the Portuguese companies, which have investments or wish to invest in these countries, alone or in partnerships with local investors;

- To contribute for the sustainable development of the mentioned countries, in particular the ones who are beneficiaries of the Portuguese Official Development Assistance.

SOFID’s financial products will be credit, guarantees and risk capital.

The capital’s structure is the following:

Portuguese State: 59,90%
Banco Espírito Santo: 10,00%
Banco BPI: 10,00%
Caixa Geral de Depósitos: 10,00%
Banco Millennium BCP: 10,00%
ELO: 0,1%

The board of Directors will be headed by Dr. Vasco Vieira de Almeida and will there be represented the Ministries of Finance, Economy and Foreign Affairs as well as the four Banks. Three Directors of the Boards will be appointed as Executive Directors, being of Mr. Francisco Mantero, Executive President of ELO.