Foreign Presence and Export Performance: The Role of Portuguese Commercial Diplomacy

This article studies whether export supporting activities developed by Portuguese diplomatic representations in the last decade have had any impact on Portugal’s international trade. It used data for 187 destination countries, period of 2008 to 2017, controlling other determinants trade through a gravity model. Complementing econometric analysis macro data, survey was applied 238 exporting firms. The results imply less relevant role embassies and consulates promotion facilitation. These highlight necessity change way that national interact with firms, particular SMEs.