Portuguese-French Summit on Specialized Financing

Leasing, Factoring and Renting at the heart of the debate on investment, liquidity and the transformation of the European economy

• The bilateral Summit, promoted by ALF and ASF, brought together Portuguese and French decision-makers in Lisbon to discuss the role of specialized finance in the real economy.
• SME investment, the energy transition, digitalization and electric mobility were among the key topics under discussion.

ALF – Portuguese Association of Leasing, Factoring and Renting and ASF – French Association of Financial Entities brought together representatives from the financial and business sectors of both countries at Centro Cultural de Belém, in Lisbon, for the first Portuguese-French Summit on Specialized Financing.

Held in partnership with the French-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Summit marked a new milestone in cooperation between the two associations and is intended to be the first of future bilateral meetings dedicated to specialized finance.

In his opening remarks, ALF´s President, Luís Augusto, highlighted the importance of bringing together two sectors which, despite operating in different national markets, face very similar challenges, particularly in a European context marked by technological transformation, the energy transition, increasing regulatory requirements and the need to strengthen competitiveness and investment capacity.

ALF's President also stressed the importance of cooperation between Portugal and France at a time when the European economy is undergoing profound transformations and when strengthening relations between partners that share common values and objectives within the European framework is particularly relevant.

ASF´s President, Charlotte Dennery, highlighted the close relationship between the two associations and their respective sectors, noting that, in both Portugal and France, Leasing and Factoring companies operate in regulated and supervised markets and face common challenges arising from developments in the European regulatory framework.

The ASF President also underlined the importance of coordinated action at European level, through Leaseurope and EUFactoring, organizations in which ALF and ASF actively participate, in order to further strengthen the already significant role played by these sectors in supporting the real economy in both countries.

Laurent Marionnet, Director General of the French-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in turn highlighted the importance of financial instruments capable of supporting investment and internationalization projects between the two countries. According to Laurent Marionnet, the French presence in Portugal now extends beyond the sectors traditionally associated with foreign investment, encompassing areas such as industry, the automotive sector, aeronautics, financial services, telecommunications and renewable energy. His remarks also highlighted the evolution of the Portuguese economy and the growing interest of French companies in the country.

The Summit featured two roundtables dedicated, respectively, to the history and cooperation of Portuguese-French specialized financing and to the challenges and pathways for financing national economies. Moderated by the Secretaries General of both associations, the roundtables brought together senior representatives of financial institutions from Portugal and France, providing an opportunity to discuss the evolution of business models, opportunities for cooperation and the challenges arising from the transformation of European economies.

Throughout the two Summit panels, speakers highlighted the importance of financing solutions that enable companies to invest without tying up capital, with particular relevance for SMEs and sectors undergoing rapid transformation.

In Leasing, its capacity to finance equipment, vehicles and other productive assets was highlighted. In Portugal, Financial Leasing financed €3.2 billion in investment in 2025, representing around 15% of Gross Fixed Capital Formation in equipment and transport equipment.

Factoring was another central topic of the Summit. In 2025, factoring receivables reached €51.5 billion in Portugal, the highest value ever recorded, equivalent to approximately 20% of national GDP.

Mobility was also one of the key topics discussed. Participants addressed the role of Renting in fleet renewal and electrification, as well as the challenges facing the next phase of the transition, namely the consolidation of the used electric vehicle market and greater predictability of residual values.

In this context, the need to strengthen transparency regarding battery condition, continue developing charging infrastructure and create conditions that contribute to making electric vehicles more affordable was emphasized. The role of Renting companies as an accelerator of technology adoption in the market was also highlighted, with ALF’s Renting members acquiring one in every five new electric passenger and light commercial vehicles sold in Portugal, in 2025.

The Summit concluded with remarks by the Secretary of State for the Treasury and Finance, João Silva Lopes, reinforcing the institutional dimension of the meeting and the importance of specialized finance to the development of the Portuguese and European economies. The Secretary of State highlighted investment by French companies in Portugal and the strong economic relationship between the two countries.

At a time when Europe is seeking to strengthen its competitiveness and accelerate structural transitions, ALF and ASF argued in Lisbon that specialized financing represents a practical lever for investment, competitiveness and growth, provided it is supported by proportionate regulatory frameworks and public policies that recognize the specific characteristics of the sector.