Abstract

The Bank of Portugal and the Bank of Spain have established data laboratories, BPLIM and BELab respectively, to provide the research community with greater access to high-quality microdata in a controlled environment that ensures data confidentiality. Both laboratories are members of the INEXDA network. Recently, the two institutions signed an agreement that allows data exchange between BPLIM and BELab, making the data of both services available to internal and external researchers of their respective institutions. This pioneering agreement of two INEXDA members enables researchers to conduct research projects using data from Portuguese and Spanish companies, among others, within a unified environment. Sharing the steps taken to achieve this agreement can serve as an example for other research data centers to join such initiatives, which are highly beneficial for the research community as a whole.