This volume is the written output of a Conference, hosted by ISCSP and organized by CAPP, within a Project financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), about the relative competitiveness of Portuguese economy in face of some of its closest partners/competitors. In this context, certain political areas were selected, namely those which, from an instrumental point of view, might enable the understanding of the evolutionary path of the three countries on the study (Portugal, Spain and Ireland), in order to promote sustainable competitiveness as one of the prime sources of economic development. The Conference aimed precisely at identifying the role of economic diplomacy networks in the promotion of the international insertion ability of Portuguese economy.

One of the main goals of the project was achieved by holding that international conference, promoted and hosted by ISCSP (CAPP home institution), with the theme "New Frontiers for Economic Diplomacy" which had the presence of national and international experts. This conference resulted in a set of reflections and research paths on the importance of new economic diplomacy networks, operating towards the building of competitive edge, closely linked to the potential of attracting structuring foreign capital and aiming to support national companies in their conquest of strategic positions in foreign markets.

One of the outcomes of the Conference is the publication of this compilation of the contributions of several international and Portuguese authors (among whom we may find scholars and experts from the London School of Economics and Political Science, the OECD, the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry, besides academics, managers and officials from Portuguese agencies, specializing in the promotion of economic diplomacy networks).

This is meant to be a pioneering work, as it provides a set of reflexions on the paths of the new dynamics of internationalization of present-day economies, and on the strategic priorities for public and private agencies, in order to help building a sustainable competitive atmosphere, both at national and international levels.