It could be a promotion but not necessarily in the same company. This person has moved forward (progressed) somehow and yes, you can congratulate him/her. :)

It's a diplomatic way of saying he has moved to a new role, with the idea of promotion. The "pro" part of it means forward, to advance. Portuguese is from Latin also, so "pro" means forward, and 'gress' means to step, to walk. He advanced; he stepped forward to a new role. "promoted" is a forward step, but in the same office, same career. Progressed could infer that he has a better job, but in a different sphere - similar but not directly above the previous job.