China's burgeoning middle class and demand for expertise spell opportunity for savvy Portuguese companies

With a relatively small population, the most innovative companies have internationalization as their watchword. As Andr de Quiroga, the dynamic director of PGQ, a consultancy that specializes in institutional relations, internationalization, strategies of communications and image said: "China and Portugal can keep benefiting each other in all areas of industrial activity."

Portugal is also making waves in the fields of technology and energy. Renewable energy in Portugal was the source of 45 percent of the country's electricity generation in 2010 - an increase of 28 percent in five years, showing considerable leadership in this field.