AIMA's Immigrant Entrepreneurship Event Falls Flat: What Went Wrong?

AIMA's Anniversary Event Lacks Attendance

The event held on October 29 to celebrate a year of the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) highlighted the organization's ongoing struggles. Originally intended as a celebration of Immigrant Entrepreneurship, it turned into a stark display of neglect, with only 27 out of 77 seats filled. Notably, no government representatives attended the event.

AIMA's Response to Poor Turnout

AIMA's president, Pedro Portugal Gaspar, attempted to downplay the low attendance, suggesting that the event coincided with family and symbolic celebrations. He mentioned that instead of organizing a large event, they aimed to showcase their ongoing activities, stating, "We decided to let the normal activities of AIMA run their course to give visibility to our actions that are less known."

AIMA's Achievements Amidst Challenges

Despite the event's shortcomings, Gaspar emphasized the agency's accomplishments, such as issuing 250,000 administrative acts this year, including residence permits and family reunifications. He revealed that AIMA handled over 560,000 phone calls and provided in-person services to more than 230,000 individuals. However, he did not address the 400,000 pending cases at AIMA and the status of the task force aimed at resolving these issues, known as the Mission Structure.

Focus on Entrepreneurial Support

The event was organized by AIMA's Qualifications and Skills Unit, which aims to equip immigrants with the tools needed for successful entrepreneurship in Portugal. Paula Ferreira, the unit's coordinator, mentioned that they offer a 10-week free online course to guide participants through the steps of starting a business, with plans to organize seven courses annually. While Ferreira noted that some participants do start businesses immediately, many take time to develop their ideas, with the next course scheduled for February 2025. However, no financial support is provided to students, and the course itself is the primary assistance offered.