UK sees close ties with Brazil tech as “priority”

Posted by By Mark Hillary at 23 June, at 16 : 38 PM Print

As reported yesterday in IT Decisions, a British trade mission visited Brazil this week led by trade minister Lord Green – formerly the group chairman of HSBC – and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg. IT Decisions asked the British government about the UK and Brazil relationship.

The answers were provided by a spokesperson for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI):

IT Decisions: How important is the technology industry in this relationship?

UKTI: Developing closer ties on technology is a priority in the bilateral relationship.  The UK and Brazil have much to gain through working together.

In many respects the two countries are a natural fit. Brazil has the best science base outside the G8 and the UK is at the cutting edge in a number of sectors notably low carbon research and development. Our universities already collaborate on research and development.

ITD: In what specific areas of technology are we seeing cooperation?

UKTI: The obvious area is in energy notably offshore in the oil and gas sector. [The gas firm] BG Group is the largest overseas investor in Brazil.

The UK also has proven experience in areas including offshore wind (with the UK currently generating the most offshore wind power in the world), carbon measurement and management and sustainable construction.

Other areas of co-operation are in the construction sector where the UK has made a commitment that all new homes built in the UK from 2016 will be zero carbon. This commitment has incentivised innovation in new building materials and techniques – and has helped make the UK a world leader in sustainable construction technology.

The potential for this expertise to be put to good use in Brazil is huge – with major infrastructure and housing projects underway and planned as its economy continues to grow, Brazil is set to see building sites all over the country.

Equally, Brazil has extensive expertise from which the UK can learn. In hydroelectricity, bio fuels and low impact agriculture where Brazil is a world leader.

ITD: What are the companies that have been involved in the trade delegation?

UKTI: Companies involved in the Business delegation included AECOM, MIRA, Shell and Populous.

Further comment by IT Decisions:

>> Marketing is the weakest link for Brazil IT

>> The guest column by UKTI for IT Decisions following its recent IT trade visit to Brazil.

>> Should Brazil IT look at the UK, not India?

>> Who’s going to buy Brazil IT?

 

Photo by Rohit Mattoo licensed under Creative Commons

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