Article: Introduction to the Multilateral Market — strategic opportunities for Portuguese and international companies in 2026

Introduction to the Multilateral Market: strategic opportunities for Portuguese and international companies in 2026

The AICEP, in cooperation with GPEARI, recently organised the session Introduction to the Multilateral Market, dedicated to business and financing opportunities within multilateral organisations.

This market represents a strategic pathway for internationalisation for companies with global ambitions, offering large-scale projects governed by transparent rules and a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and economic and social impact.

The session aimed to clarify where opportunities lie, how to access this market, and which best practices increase the likelihood of success.

An international, open and non-discriminatory market

Although the session was promoted by AICEP within the framework of its support to Portuguese companies, the multilateral organisations market is, by nature, international and open to companies from different countries.

Procurement and financing rules applied by Multilateral Development Banks, the European Union, the United Nations system, as well as other organisations such as NATO or entities linked to Big Science, are based on principles of international competition, transparency and non-discrimination. Eligibility is assessed on the basis of country rules and the technical and financial capacity of companies — not on their nationality.

In this context, these opportunities are equally relevant for foreign companies, including international members of the CCBP, particularly when operating through transnational consortia, strategic partnerships or international supply chains.

Key organisations and instruments presented

The session provided an overview of the multilateral ecosystem, structured around three main pillars:

• Multilateral Development Banks, such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, as well as regional development banks;

• The European Union, through instruments including Global Gateway, Horizon Europe and InvestEU;

•The United Nations system, notably platforms such as UNGM and operational agencies like UNOPS.

Other relevant institutions were also addressed, including NATO and programmes related to Big Science, which follow similar international procurement logics.

Types of opportunities: procurement and financing

Multilateral organisations operate through different models, translating into concrete opportunities for companies:

• Sovereign-guaranteed operations, targeting governments and public entities, particularly in infrastructure and essential public services;

• Non-sovereign operations, focused on the private sector, including direct project financing, financial instruments and risk-sharing mechanisms.

In both cases, there are significant opportunities for the supply of goods, provision of services, technical consultancy and participation in international consortia.

Best practices and critical success factors

The session highlighted several key factors for successful access to the multilateral market, including:

• clearly defining objectives, priority sectors and target geographies;

• investing in internal capacity-building;

• developing a track record and credible references;

• assessing different participation models (individual bids, consortia, partnerships or subcontracting);

• anticipating opportunities by monitoring project pipelines, GPNs (General Procurement Notices) and strategic documents;

• engaging in early market engagement activities.

Understanding project cycles and preparing in advance are essential to compete effectively in this market.

The role of AICEP and the Multilaterals Working Group

AICEP provides a centralised information platform covering opportunities within the European Union, development banks, the United Nations, NATO and Big Science. This platform includes practical information, an events agenda, success stories and access to specialised contacts.

The Multilaterals Working Group also offers technical follow-up, capacity-building initiatives, information dissemination and personalised support to companies with an economic link to Portugal.

A strategic topic for CCBP members

Access to the multilateral market represents a concrete opportunity for international growth and diversification, both for Portuguese companies and for foreign companies active in Belgium and across the European Union. The CCBP will continue to monitor these developments and to promote information, partnerships and synergies among its members in an increasingly strategic global market.

About the organising institutions

AICEP – the Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency is the public entity responsible for promoting Portuguese exports, supporting the internationalisation of companies, and attracting foreign investment to Portugal. In the field of multilateral organisations, AICEP supports companies in accessing business opportunities, financing instruments and international procurement markets, providing information, capacity-building and specialised advisory services.

GPEARI – the Office for Planning, Strategy, Evaluation and International Relations of the Portuguese Ministry of Finance is responsible for coordinating Portugal’s participation in international financial institutions and multilateral development banks. GPEARI plays a key role in defining Portugal’s positions within these institutions and in monitoring multilateral financing and investment frameworks.