Portugal's Minister of Economy Upbeat After Exiting Bailout
Portugal is forecasting its economy to grow by 1% this year. It would be the first time the economy grew after a three-year recession following the debt crisis. Portugal exited the bailout in May but growth challenges still press on the country. According to the National Statistics Institute, Portugal's unemployment rate is falling despite edging up in October to 13.4% from 13.3% in September. Youth employment is still very high. Small business owners have complained the bureaucracy was too complex to navigate and taxes are still too high for them to succeed in Portugal. Antonio Pires de Lima, Portugal's Minister of Economy, gives his outlook on his country's economy and his gut reaction to being called one of the 'PIIGS' of the financial crisis.









