Portuguese business associations, including AEP and AIP, warn the Government about the need for a "timely and proportionate" response to the fuel crisis, in order to preserve the economy's competitiveness and employment. Luís Miguel Ribeiro, president of AEP, states that the increase in fuel prices represents a significant shock on companies' cost structures, which already face high energy, raw material and financing costs. José Eduardo Carvalho, president of AIP, warns that Portugal cannot add to companies costs that compromise their ability to invest and create jobs.
The impact of fuels is cross-cutting, affecting sectors such as transport, logistics, distribution, agriculture, metalworking and textile industries. As an example, José Eduardo Carvalho calculates that a company that consumes 100,000 liters of diesel per year faces an additional direct cost of approximately 15,000 euros per year. In the textile sector, Ricardo Silva, president of ATP, states that industrial gas is at double the price of one year ago and electricity at levels three times higher.
The agricultural sector, represented by CAP, is particularly critical regarding government support. Luís Mira, secretary-general of CAP, states that since March the increase in agricultural diesel prices has been 60 million euros, but the State's compensation was only six million. The official compares the support given in Portugal and Spain, noting that total Spanish aid to farmers was 1,100 million euros, while in Portugal it was only 26 million.
António Costa Silva, former Economy Minister, agrees that Government measures are insufficient, describing them as "a palliative that won't solve much". He advocates that it is necessary to electrify the economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen the renewable energy cluster to avoid exposure to future crises.
