PACT OFFICIALLY HOSTS KPMG’S LOW-CODE TECHNOLOGY HUB
21 September 2023
On September 15, the long-awaited inauguration of the KPMG Technological Hub in Évora took place, which chose PACT, more specifically the Infante Dom Henrique Center, to set up its offices.
Representing an important strategic partnership for both organizations, as well as for the region and the country, the joining of forces of the two companies consolidates Alentejo’s ambition to continue to be an important player for national progress in the areas of technology and innovation.
The new space, located in the heart of the Alentejo, will allow us to continue to invest in national talent and encourage the establishment of new generations in the region. For now, the hub opens with almost 30 employees, with the goal of reaching 100 jobs in about three years.
The ceremony was attended by Vítor Ribeirinho, CEO/Chairman of KPMG Portugal, Soumodip Sarkar, Executive President of PACT, Hermínia Vilar, Rector of the University of Évora, Carlos Pinto de Sá, Mayor of Évora, and Ana Abrunhosa, Minister of Territorial Cohesion.
In his speech, the CEO/Chairman of KPMG Portugal stated that the new hub is part of a strategic model in which the company trusts and which includes a “clear commitment to the decentralization of services and joint work with the regions, with a view to their development.” Vítor Ribeirinho stressed the active role that, according to the consultant, companies should have in society, contributing to their progress directly.
In turn, Soumodip Sarkar recalled the potential of the region: “Just as I think Portugal has a lot to offer foreigners, I am also very aware of what the Alentejo can offer”. The Executive President of PACT believes that “in addition to gastronomy and natural beauty, the region is able to invest in knowledge centers and knowledge transfer, leveraging relations with regional educational institutions, and KPMG’s investment is a sign of confidence in this vision”. The also Full Professor at the University of Évora was especially proud and satisfied, considering that date particularly important in PACT’s journey.
Hermínia Vilar, in her speech, also highlighted the importance of the relationship between the business world and the academic world. The Rector of the University of Évora stated that “these partnerships have to be biunivocal”, so that both media produce knowledge and research for the industry, in a “double sharing connection between the two worlds”.
In turn, after exposing some of the problems that the territory faces, the Mayor of Évora reaffirmed the preponderant role of the government and municipalities in mitigating them. Carlos Pinto de Sá underlined the need for investment in the development of the region and training of the territory for the consequent improvement of the quality of life, with the aim of settling professionals and families. “Our concern is that companies can settle in Évora, but also feel good and put down roots here. It is up to us and the government to create conditions for this, to create this favorable environment,” he declared. The Mayor also mentioned the increase in employment and investment that the city has seen and recalled the differentiated bets that the municipality has made in the various sectors, highlighting the area of innovation, where KPMG is part and with which the mayor believes that Évora can grow.
The ceremony, which was attended by the company’s partners, ended with a few words addressed by the Minister of Territorial Cohesion, who underlined the path taken by PACT: “It is a project that has been transformative of this region and a true emblem of territorial cohesion. In a decade, PACT has managed to boost a unique academic and business ecosystem, which transcends the region and the country”. Ana Abrunhosa considers that “the effort made here, both to attract and create innovative companies such as technological projects, which connect the scientific world to the municipalities and help to internationalize the region and pave the way for this to be a reference innovation center at a global level, have deserved the support of the government, of European funds”. Seeing the consultancy’s new technological hub as “the materialization of a happy partnership between the business world and academia” and looking forward to following the future phases of PACT, the Minister of Territorial Cohesion reiterated the central objective of this establishment of synergies between PACT and KPMG: to attract talent and retain it in the territory.
