Sines is the leading energy, petrochemical center in Portugal and its deepwater port, whose importance to national development is recognized in all policy development and strategic planning government documents, is a pole of development of the country.

Due to the proximity to the thermoelectric power plant and to the sea port activity, Sines is a national reference on energy supply (25% of the thermoelectric energy in Portugal is produced in Sines region), 90% of the coal, 60%of the natural gas and 70% of the crude enter the country in Sines, port. So, Zils is the best location for energy intensive industries.

The presence, in Sines port of world leader companies in maritime transports enables strong synergies and reinforces Sines attractiveness for industrial relevant activities.

The availability of rail infrastructures in Zils territory, linked to Portuguese, Iberian and European railways, enables product distribution to those markets at low cost. The advantages in both maritime and rail access, complementing road accesses, allowed the installation of world leader industries in Sines region.

The  diversity of services available Sines allow a quick business set up and ensure the necessary conditions to sustain investments profitability.

The success of complex projects, demonstrated by significant investments in the petrochemical, energy and port sectors, enhances the ability to welcome, assist and support new businesses.

Economic indicators within a radius of 100kms:

• Gross domestic product: 52.696 M€
• Gross value added: 46.777 M€;
• Gross disposable income: 33.285 M€;
• Gross fixed capital Formation: 10.692 M€ (27% do VAB);
• Jobs: 1.32 M.

Activities associated with to secondary and tertiary sectors predominate in the municipality, followed by primary sector activities. Sines is an industrial centre, a fact which is reflected in the location of an oil refinery and petrochemical, polymer construction, mechanical engineering and freight wagon construction industries in the municipality and is boosted by its proximity to the commercial and fishing port. 

Agriculture is still important to a certain extent, given that approximately 33.1% of the terrain within the municipality serves as agricultural land involving, in particular, the cultivation of cereals, dried grain legumes, temporary grazing land and forage crops, kitchen gardens, fallow land, and permanent pastures and meadows. Livestock also features to a certain extent, in particular poultry, sheep and swine. Approximately 1,802 ha of the terrain is forested land.

The Zils Global Parques - Sines Industrial and Logistics Zone, managed by aicep Global Parques, offers a location with a clear Atlantic orientation. 

Zils is the largest area for the location of industrial and logistics units in the Iberian Peninsula . It offers over 2,000 hectares of space dedicated to industrial, logistics and service activities, which already includes some of the largest national and foreign companies.