U.S.-Brazil Business Mission

Ambassador Ronald Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative, speaks to members of the Council delegation at the City Palace of Rio de Janeiro.

From March 18-21, the Brazil-U.S. Business Council hosted the U.S.-Brazil Business Mission, featuring visits to Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.  This high-level business delegation was designed to capitalize on the unprecedented opportunity of President Obama's visit to Brazil to deepen U.S.-Brazil economic and trade ties.

Please find below a summary of the delegation meetings and events.

MARCH 19, 2011: U.S.–BRAZIL BUSINESS SUMMIT, BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL

On March 19, the Brazil-U.S. Business Council, the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry, and the American Chamber of Commerce for Brazil hosted the U.S.-Brazil Business Summit, which featured panels of prominent CEOs and a keynote address by The Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States of America.

To view the event page for the Summit featuring President Barack Obama, please see here.

 
MARCH 20, 2011: DELEGATION MEETINGS, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Day two in Rio de Janeiro the delegation had private meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy & International Affairs David Sandalow to discuss business opportunities in Brazil. The delegation expressed strong support for proactive policies to remove barriers to open trade and investment opportunities in Brazil.

After the private meetings, the Brazil Council hosted panels with numerous Brazilian government officials, including Felipe Góes, Secretary of Development of the City of Rio de Janeiro; José Cândido Muricy, Office of Project Management, Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro and Roberto Garibe, Director, Infrastructure and Logistics, Ministry of Planning of Brazil.  While discussing the challenges the City of Rio de Janeiro faces in preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, Mr. Góes highlighted numerous areas of opportunities for both U.S. and Brazilian companies including real estate, energy, innovation, and transportation.

AGENDA:

Parallel Meetings with Government Officials:
Ambassador Ronald Kirk, United States Trade Representative
David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy

Keynote Luncheon:
Felipe Goés, Secretary of Development, City of Rio de Janeiro
Presentation: "Rio Investment Opportunities"

David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy

Presentation: The Outlook for Brazilian Energy and Prospects for Bilateral Cooperation
Maurício Tolmasquim, President, Energy Research Corporation (EPE)

Presentation: Expansion Plans for the Brazilian Nuclear Sector
Leonam dos Santos Guimarães, Advisor to the President, Eletronuclear
Presentation: "Nuclear Power in Brazil"

Presentation: The Logistical Challenge of Exploration & Production in Pre-Salt Areas
Ricardo Albuquerque Araújo, General Manager of Logistics Services and E&P, Petrobras
Presentation: "The Logistical Challenge of Exploration & Production in Pre-Salt Areas"

Panel:  Infrastructure and Financing Opportunities for the Olympics and World Cup
Roberto Garibe, Director, Infrastructure and Logistics, Ministry of Planning of Brazil
Felipe Goés, Secretary of Development, City of Rio de Janeiro
Timothy C. McManus, Senior Vice President and Director of Program Management, AECOM
Jay Collins, Vice Chairman, Co-head Public Sector Group, Citi
Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman and President, Export-Import Bank of the United States
José Cândido Muricy, Office of Project Management, Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro
Presentation: "Olympic Projects"



MARCH 21, 2011: DELEGATION MEETINGS, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

The Brazil-U.S. Business Council trade delegation concluded the last day in Brazil with a visit to São Paulo, the largest state economy in Brazil. The delegation met with a variety of U.S. and Brazilian government officials as well as key industry representatives ranging from Fred Hochberg (President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank), Ambassador Thomas Shannon (U.S. Ambassador to Brazil), Carlos Cavalcanti (the Director of Energy and Infrastructure for the Federation of Industries of the State of Paulo), and Luciano Almeida (President of Invest São Paulo).

In a keynote luncheon with the delegation, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke emphasized the Obama administration’s commitment to build on the momentum of economic growth between U.S. and Brazil and the desire to make Brazil one of the United States' "equal partners." Noting that there are still opportunities for growth on the table, Secretary Locke outlined a few critical items to address in the near future including a Bilateral Tax Treaty, discussion of a Free Trade Agreement, and removal of technical barriers facing U.S. companies, all of which are supported by the Brazil-U.S. Business Council.

AGENDA:

Breakfast at the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP):
Carlos Cavalcanti, Director of Energy and Infrastructure, Federation of Industries of the State of Paulo - FIESP
Presentation: Brazilian Energy and Infrastructure Agenda

Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman and President, Export-Import Bank of the United States

Meeting with American Chamber of Commerce Membership:
Alfredo Cotait, Secretary for International Relations, City of São Paulo

Presentation by Thomson Reuters:
James C. Smith, CEO, Thomson Reuters
Regina Helena Troncon, Sales & Marketing Director, Thomson Reuters   

Keynote Luncheon:
Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Brazil
Luciano Almeida, President, Invest São Paulo
Presentation: Investment Opportunities in the State of São Paulo

H.E. Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce
Presentation at the American Chamber of Commerce for Brazil

Roundtable Discussion with the Export-Import Bank of the United States:
Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman and President, Export-Import Bank of the United States

Photos
To view photos of the delegation, please see the links below.  From these galleries you can download images without restriction by clicking on an image and choosing the download size before selecting download.  Please note that the "Previous" function takes you to the next page of images:

Brasília 3/18: Orientation and welcome reception

Brasília 3/19: Summit Photos 1 - Opening and Panel

Brasília 3/19: Summit Photos 2 - President Obama

Rio de Janeiro 3/20: Delegation meetings and reception

São Paulo 3/21: Delegation meetings and luncheon




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