Maria Alexandra da Costa Gomes
Born on September 8, 1931, and received a degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering in 1955 from the Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa.
Retired in 2003 from being the President of the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre, where she had remained after 1999, having chaired the Installation Committee since 1997.
President of the Macau Mission in Lisbon from 1988 to 1999. During this period, participated as a representative for the President of the Republic in the Commission that negotiated with the People’s Republic of China, regarding the conditions for the handover of Macau to that country. In this context, negotiated a cooperation contract between Macau and the European Union, and was responsible for subsequent cooperation.
From 1968 to 1977, served at the Ministry of Industry and at the Technical Secretariat of the Presidency of the Council, having participated in the preparation of two Development Plans. From 1977 to 1986, created and was thereafter Director General of the Office for External Economic Cooperation, an institution of the Ministry of Finance responsible for negotiations with the numerous countries that after 1974 decided to support the development of Portugal. Participated in negotiations with the European Economic Community for Portugal’s accession, and was responsible for the negotiations for Portugal’s accession to the European Investment Bank, having been responsible for the support that the Institution gave to Portugal.
Responsible for negotiating Portugal’s accession to the Inter-American Development Bank. From 1981 to 1984, Deputy Director of the African Development Bank, having been responsible for negotiations for Portugal’s accession in 1981. Responsible for negotiations with the World Bank to support development projects in Portugal, and responsible for the execution of the projects. From 1985 to 1988, Vice-President of the Foreign Investment Institute, and member of the Board of Directors of ICEP – Instituto do Comércio Externo de Portugal. From 2005 to 2008, Director of the European Investment Bank on behalf of the Portuguese Government. Responsible for the creation of the Fundação Jorge Ávares, and a member of the Board of Directors since 2004. From 2004 onwards, became active in the field of culture, and held a number of painting exhibitions. From 2007 to 2012, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Society of Fine Arts. Participated in the creation of the CIDSénior organization, and a member of the Board of Directors.
1978 – Awarded the Order of Saint Olav by the King of Norway.
1984 – Awarded the Order of Merit (Second Degree) by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany.
1985 – Awarded the Order of Merit by the President of France.
1986 – Awarded the Order of Merit by the President of the Republic of Portugal.
1988 – Awarded the Order of Merit (First Degree) by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany.
1990 – Awarded the Medal of Merit by the Municipality of Oliveira do Hospital.
1995 – Awarded the Medal of Valour by the Governor of Macau.
1999 – Awarded the order of Infante D. Henrique – Grand Officer by the President of the Portuguese Republic.
2019 – Awarded the Medal of Scientific Merit by the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education of the Portuguese Republic.