Central Portugal is about to receive a massive injection to its long suffering economy. Infrastructure projects from roads to golf courses are due to be completed by 2013, ensuring that a lot more people are due to arrive bringing money and jobs to t
Central Portugal (OPENPRESS) December 27, 2011 - All around central Portugal there is a surge in infrastructure projects, and although some of these projects have been pegged back a little by the governments austerity plans, it is hard to recognise that you are in a country with deep economic problems. Most of these projects are set to complete by 2013 and with them a lot more people will be flocking into the region.
Moreover unlike neighbouring Spain, construction workers seem to have plenty to do also, perhaps they are not working on the grand houses of a few years ago, but there are a lot of renovation jobs available, both in the domestic market and from overseas buyers who are cashing in on the many low priced houses available. Indeed there has been a shift in the Portugal property market, from an average spend of €150,000 to a more modest €85,000.
The new roads that are being built into the heart of Central Portugal will give fast access to the region for the first time ever. This type of infrastructure always brings with it extra commerce, extra visitors and an increase in property prices.
Its not just roads there are a number of luxury riverside housing developments that have recently been approved, along with golf courses and there have even been talks on theme parks, although with the latter talk is all it is at the moment.
Several hotels and restaurants have been approved and the town centres of a number of towns, including Alvaiazere and Ansiao are getting serious makeovers, this certainly points to far higher visitor numbers in the future.
There seems to be an area between Tomar and Coimbra that is showing the most excitement, with at least four Golf courses approved or recently built. Even the small market town of Alvaiazere is getting a municipal golf course to accompany its new museum, cultural centre and road system.
Ansiao is having a total face lift, the entire centre of town has been ripped up for over a year, with lavish improvements being made that will turn an already picturesque market town, into a place worthy of a visit for any traveller or tourist.
The highway that is to serve all of these areas is already in construction and is due to be finished by 2013, which is the year that even the more pessimistic forecasters predict that the domestic economy in Portugal will return to growth. Many economists though are starting to think that modest growth maybe achieved in the second half of 2012.
There is now little doubt that Portugal is in the Euro zone to stay, its austerity plans are starting to work and the recent sale of EDP and the competitive nature of the bids showed just how much confidence there is in the corporate world on the future of Portugal.
Central Portugal has long been known for its natural beauty, with mountain ranges, stunning lakes, rivers and forests it now has the last piece in the puzzle, access is the component that will drive the property market forward in 2012 and beyond. Where else can you find a habitable house for these prices in a stable, beautiful sunny location.
Globally, economies are on the mend, with Asia, North Africa and the US showing real signs of upward momentum, this has to feed into Europe and by the second half of 2012 Portugal's economy should start to see positive signs also.
