"It is by looking at the paths of those who have managed for 200 years to resist, persist, innovate, and recreate, that we see the strength that we will be in the future, in the coming years, a more developed and fairer country," said Luis Montenegro during a dinner celebrating the 200th anniversary of Vista Alegre, in Ílhavo in the district of Aveiro.

The head of government insisted that the country only has a bright future and can only "turn around the bad governments" if, at the same time it "takes advantage of people's talents, bets on knowledge and is open to the world".

"We will only have a future to give confidence, especially to the youngest, that they do not need to leave Portugal to have a good opportunity if we reconcile all these interests," he defended.

The prime minister also highlighted the example of this centenary company, which despite being born in a difficult time was able to resist all the vicissitudes, making it "a Portuguese brand known elsewhere in the world".

Luis Montenegro also highlighted the importance of the ceramic industry, with more than 1,100 companies that employ about 20,000 people and with a turnover of more than 1,500 million euros per year, stating that it is a sector that "demonstrates that even in the industry we have the potential and competitive capacity to gain market shares".

Previously, Nuno Terras, executive director of the Visabeira group, highlighted how the group, which acquired the Vista Alegre factory in 2009, managed to turn around the difficult moment the company was going through, starting a process of business recovery and maintaining the entirety of existing jobs.

The administrator also said that the company has tripled global sales since the group took control of Vista Alegre, exporting about 75% of its production to more than 90 countries and said that it has "strong investments" in progress focusing on energy transition, decarbonisation, human resources training, and circularity.

Nuno Terras also referred to Cristiano Ronaldo's recent entry into the company's share capital, stating that Vista Alegre is "a brand and company of the future".

"Cristiano Ronaldo, one of our best players ever and in the history of world football acquired through CR7 SA, and in strategic alignment with the Visabeira group, 10% of the capital of Vista Alegre Atlantis SGPS and agreed to acquire in operation to soon realise 30% of Vista Alegre Spain," he explained.

In addition to the prime minister, the dinner commemorating the 200th anniversary of Vista Alegre was attended by the ministers of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, of the Economy, Pedro Reis, and of Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, as well as deputies and several mayors, such as the mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas.