march 2004 7 portugal s marketplace prospering by maria do monte gomes ome us firms have taken advan tage of emergence as a full partner in europe with its sta ble location for investment and increasingly attractive market exports but is often overlooked exporters favor larger neighbors imported 270 6 million agricultural fish forest products calendar 2002 while soybeans feeds fodders traditionally led to ample growth opportunities beckon value added since joining the eu european union 1986 has witnessed steady economic convergence country gross domestic product which was 53 percent average 1985 rose 72 2003 membership deepened trade ties 2001 other members accounted 78 per cent portuguese imports 83 consumer sales growing 10 consumers 2 3 billion worth oriented food countries accounting 91 handily maintaining their no
