The PME Excellence status is awarded by IAPMEI and Turismo de Portugal (in the case of tourism companies), in partnership with 11 banks operating in Portugal: Banco BIC, Banco BPI, Banco Popular, Bankinter, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Crédito Agrícola , Millennium BCP, Montepio, Novo Banco, Novo Banco dos Açores and Santander Totta.
It is a hallmark of reputation that allows distinguished companies to relate to their surroundings - suppliers, customers, the financial system and national and regional authorities - on a basis of confidence that facilitates the development of their businesses. For exporting companies and with international ambition, the PME Excellence status is particularly relevant, constituting a factor of differentiation and a guarantee of the solidity and suitability of the companies.
These companies are selected by IAPMEI and Turismo de Portugal, based on the SME Leader universe, and the status of the "best of the best" aims to give SMEs notoriety, in a fair recognition of their merit and their contribution to the results Of the economy.