MOS Costello successful trade mission to Brazil

Enterprise Ireland’s Trade Mission to Brazil this week, the largest ever to that country, has been a big success for the participating 42 Irish companies and education institutions.

Brazil is the 6th largest economy in the world, the largest in Latin America, and a key priority market under the Government's Trade Strategy.

During the Trade Mission, which was led by Joe Costello TD, Minister for Trade and Development, two Irish companies opened new facilities, six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between leading Irish and Brazilian Universities and Institutes of Technology, and a landmark education and research agreement with Brazil was signed that will see 4,000 under-graduate Brazilian students study in Ireland over the next four years. Substantial new export contracts were also secured by a number of the participating companies.

These announcements and contracts secured during the trade mission underpin the on-going success and export growth of Irish companies as they continue to win new business and increase their export footprint in Brazil - the sixth largest economy in the world.

As part of the State visit to Latin America, President Michael D Higgins joined the trade mission in Sao Paulo and Brasilia. The presence of both President Higgins and Minister Costello on the Trade Mission demonstrates the importance the Irish Government places on Brazil as a future trading partner. The President and Minister met with Irish companies and their Brazilian partners and witnessed significant signings of contracts in the commercial and education sectors.

All events on the Trade Mission were aimed at opening doors for Irish companies and paving the way for more Irish exports into Brazil. The mission was organised and run in very close co-operation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassy of Ireland in Brazil.

Announcing the outcome of the trade mission Minister Costello said:

“This was a highly successful mission both in terms of business secured and introductions and connections made during the mission and the platform it provides for substantial growth in Irish company exports to Brazil." 

"The Brazilian companies I met all expressed strong interest in what Ireland and Irish companies have to offer.  Brazil is undertaking major infrastructure and development projects across a range of areas and these opportunities offer real immediate potential for Irish companies to win more business in this market."

"The trade mission will help ensure Irish exports to Brazil continue to grow strongly and Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with our Embassy in Brasilia and other state agencies, will continue to support companies capitalise on the clear opportunities." 

"The signing of a landmark education and research agreement with Brazil that will see a further 4,000 under-graduate Brazilian students study in Ireland over the next four years under Brazil’s Science without Borders government funded scholarship programme is hugely significant.  This is on top of the previous agreement between Ireland and Brazil announced in June this year for up to 1,500 post-graduate Brazilian students to study in Ireland and is a major boost for the international third-level education sector in Ireland”.

In addition to the education and research agreement under the Science without Borders scholarship programme, significant commercial agreements and contracts were agreed by a number of companies including Galway company HygenX and the global company Kimberly Clarke in the healthcare area, and Dublin company Daon and Montreal Informatica, a leading player in biometric security

Minister Costello also opened the new Synergy Laboratory in Sao Paulo, a subsidiary of Cork company Carbery Group, which dramatically enhances Carbery´s potential to market its ingredients and flavours in Brazil.  And Kerry based Fexco also announced the opening of a new office in Sao Paulo.

In addition, Minister Costello held a number of one-to-one meetings with Irish companies and their partners including:

Mantis Cranes, Donegal and Rossi Residencial

CPS, Tuam, Co. Galway and Tranisitons Optical

Brandtone, Dublin and Brazil Foods

Combilift, Monaghan and Case New Holland

Prodieco, Dublin and Eurofarma

Kevin Sherry, Head of International Sales and Partnering, Enterprise Ireland added: 

“The Trade Mission has been a significant success for participating companies and education institutes. Brazil is a significant and growing market where Irish companies are already successfully doing business, carving out a strong reputation for Irish products and services." 

"Growth in Enterprise Ireland backed companies exports to Brazil were 29% in 2010 and 43% in 2011 and the outlook for the remainder of 2012 and 2013 is very promising. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting more companies break into this market and also has plans to bring a substantial inward buyer group from Brazil to Ireland during 2013." 

"The impact of export success in markets such as Brazil on the Irish economy is significant. Indigenous Irish companies are responsible for the direct and indirect employment of more than 300,000 people in every town and village in Ireland. The performance of Irish exporters in Brazil is to be commended. Enterprise Ireland will continue to provide every support to Irish companies to secure more business in Brazil and Latin America, boosting the economy and sustaining and creating much needed jobs in Ireland.”