Pictured is President of Ireland Michael D Higgins meeting Geraldo Alckmin, Governor of Sao Paulo, at Bandeirantes Palace,in Sao Paulo, Brasil.

Enterprise Ireland’s trade mission to Brazil, 8-11 October, the largest ever to the leading country in Latin America, was a big success for the participating 42 Irish companies and education institutions. 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, Science without Borders, 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 participating companies.

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. Brazil is now ranked the sixth largest economy in the world.  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 close co-operation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Irish Embassy in Brasilia.

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 global company Kimberly Clarke in the healthcare area, and Dublin company Daon and Montreal Informatica, a leading player in biometric security.

Minister Costello 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. Kerry-based Fexco 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 Brazilian partners including:
Mantis Cranes, Donegal and Rossi Residencial
CPS, Tuam, Co. Galway and Transitions Optical
Brandtone, Dublin and Brazil Foods
Combilift, Monaghan and Case New Holland
Prodieco, Dublin and Eurofarma

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

‘The trade mission was 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.’