In statements to journalists, after presiding over the inauguration of the new Eastern Variant to Évora of the Main Itinerary 2 (IP2), near this Alentejo city, Secretary of State Hugo Espírito Santo said that IP's actions in the region are not limited to "large projects".

The company "will invest €700 million in the Alentejo region by the end of 2028. We cannot forget that much of what is done does not have the visibility that this work has," he argued.

"With €700 million, a lot of work is done that, perhaps, we don't look at with the same pomp and circumstance, but that is realised," stressed the government official.

The Secretary of State for Infrastructure revealed that the amount will be used for railway and highway works, and will be distributed among the "three districts of Alentejo".