The Portuguese Government sees no problem in Chinese investors buying Portuguese banks. This assurance was given by Mário Centeno, Portuguese Finance Minister. The minister refused to see any problem in the nationality of capital. "From a market point of view, we see no problem". "This has caused no reaction in Portugal", added the minister, at a time when a Portuguese bank, Novo Banco, is looking for a new shareholder - two Chinese banks (Fosun and Anbang) reached the final stage of the tender for the bank, which was cancelled in September of last year.
For José Maria Ricciardi, who leads a bank fully owned by a Chinese group, "Portugal has become one of the most important platforms for Chinese investment". The banker claims that Haitong Bank is now an important agent of liaison capable of mediating relations between China and Asian investors but also with the United States and Europe.
