El Salvador is strengthening its international presence in Europe through high-level diplomatic efforts led by Ambassador Rhina Bardi in Portugal. In a historic first, Bardi organized a trade mission of six Portuguese companies interested in investing in strategic sectors in El Salvador, including renewable energy, healthcare digitalization, infrastructure, mobility, and agribusiness.
The delegation met with key government institutions such as the Presidential Secretariat of Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Invest in El Salvador, as well as representatives from the Salvadoran Chamber of Construction (CASALCO).
According to Ambassador Bardi, four companies have already confirmed concrete interest in entering the Salvadoran market. Among them are firms planning to invest in solar and renewable energy, urban mobility, coffee and cocoa trade, and road infrastructure projects. She emphasized that the mission was supported by the Atlântico Sul Chamber of Commerce in Lisbon and sparked enthusiasm among companies that previously had no operations in Central America.
«What convinced them was not only the investment climate but also the leadership of President Nayib Bukele and the professionalism shown by Salvadoran institutions,» Bardi stated.
The ambassador also underscored the importance of digital diplomacy, pointing out that many of the participating companies discovered El Salvador through social media visibility and the country’s recent transformation narrative.
The initiative represents a significant step forward in diversifying foreign investment sources, and Bardi confirmed that a long-term follow-up agenda is already in place to ensure progress toward sustained economic partnerships.