During the latest Industry Summit, hosted by Observador, some of the key challenges affecting business competitiveness were brought into focus. Among the topics discussed were financing, management, workforce development, and the role of science and continuous learning as drivers of sustainable growth.
During the panel, Joana Carvalho, CEO of SFgo, highlighted a challenge that often goes unnoticed but has a significant impact on business growth: the way companies structure their financing.
According to Joana Carvalho, many SMEs remain overly dependent on short-term bank financing to support investments that require a medium- to long-term perspective. At a time when financial institutions are applying increasingly rigorous risk assessment criteria, presenting robust information, sound financial planning and well-structured investment projects has become essential.
"Financing should not be viewed merely as a tactical necessity."
The discussion also underscored the importance of investing in people and knowledge as key drivers of business competitiveness. Continuous learning, innovation and the integration of science into business practices were identified as essential factors in addressing both current and future challenges faced by organisations.
👉 Read the full article in Observador to explore the different perspectives shared by the speakers at the Industry Summit: Indústria precisa de mais conhecimento e colaboração – Observador
