LEÃO HOLANDÊS - 100TH BIRTHDAY

Many of our readers have fond memories of trips and receptions on the historic three-mast-Schooner the Leão Holandês. However, not everyone knows that the ship is celebrating its 100th birthday this September.

The origins of the ship lay in the Northern Dutch town of Groningen, where it was built as a two-mast-schooner and was christened ‘Amalie'. Throughout the first decades of its existence, the ship had its base in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, and later on sailed commercial trips in its native country.

(1910)

After having sailed to Tahiti, the ship returned to Europe and was bought by the current owner, Gesink Turismo Náutico, who brought the Leão Holandês to Portugal in 1991 where it has found a home in the harbour of Lisbon ever since.

For those who do not yet know the majestic ship, a new opportunity to come aboard will take place shortly, as we are deciding upon the date for the next Business Drinks to be organized on the Leão Holandês. 

NETHERLANDS GUEST COUNTRY AT WATER EXPO 2010 

From 19th until 21st October 2010, the Netherlands is the guest country on Water Expo 2010, the main conference in the water sector in Portugal, organized by water & environment professional magazine Água & Ambiente. Several Dutch experts, invited by the Dutch Embassy in Lisbon, will present Dutch experiences and best practices. For more information, please click here.

PORTUGUESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN AMSTERDAM 

For those who enjoy the Portuguese culture and way of life or those who are not yet familiar with Portugal and would like to know a bit more, a cultural festival will be organized on 26th September in Amsterdam. During the Proef Portugal fair, visitors can get to know Portuguese products, watch movies, assist a folkloric dance group and taste typical food while listening to fado singers. More information on the location, participants and entree fee can be found here.

21ST OPCE CONGRESS

The Dutch Portuguese Chamber of Commerce gladly invites you to the 21st OPCE Congress (Organization of Employers' Associations of European Cities) organized by Aerlis on 30th September and 1st October.

Under the theme "Europe and their Companies towards the World Economic new paradigm", the event will be sponsored by His Excellency the President of Portuguese Republic, supported by the European Commission President, Dr. Durão Barroso and with the presence of the Vice-President of the European Central Bank, Dr. Vitor Constâncio.

Entrepreneurs in Congress will have the opportunity to discuss the new political and economic direction of Europe with international personalities.

For more information and subscribtion, please click here. Members of the Dutch Portuguese Chamber of Commerce have a 50% discount.

LINKEDIN

The Dutch Portuguese Chamber of Commerce is also active on social networking site LinkedIn. The group 'Dutch Portuguese Chamber of Commerce' is (exclusively) available for our members. The group provides the opportunity to start or participate in discussions and to leave or give your opinion on comments.

The Dutch Portuguese Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that Mr. Rui Cruz of Svitzer is the lucky winner of our August promotion: a dinner for two at the Citrus Bar & Restaurant of the Lisbon Marriott Hotel.

This month, you can win a one night stay for two including breakfast in the Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel in Sagres. To participate please click here.

Banco Espírito Santo has announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Brazilian commercial banks Banco do Brasil and Bradesco aimed at the African market, by opening Banco Espírito Santo Africa's capital up to the two Brazilian institutions. The operation includes Cape Verde, where the Banco Espírito Santo Cabo Verde recently began operating.

SRS Advogados has announced its merger with specialist litigation law firm Soares Machado & Associados. The dispute resolution team at SRS will count on the experience of a group of professionals led by José Soares Machado, who is a renowned specialist in this area.

Hotel Britania and Hotel Heritage Avenida da Liberdade, both part of the Hotéis Heritage group in Lisbon, have been mentioned by British newspaper The Independent as belonging to the top 5 hotels in Lisbon.