BIF 2019 had almost 3,000 participants among government and private sector representatives in São Paulo

The largest investment event in Latin America brought together
representatives from 56 countries for panels and meetings over two days.

On Friday (Oct. 11) ended the Brasil Investment Forum, the largest event aimed at investment attraction in Latin America. Over two days, in São Paulo, the event brought together almost three thousand participants, including high-level government representatives and Brazilian and multinational companies from 38 business sectors. Professionals from 56 countries attended the event, highlighting C-Level executives from China, United States, Italy, Spain and France, in addition to Brazil.

The Forum took place for the third consecutive year and was organized by the Brazilian government, through the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and the Ministry of Economy, in partnership with the
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The event was opened by the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, and by the President of IDB, Luís Alberto Moreno. Also participating in the event were Chief Minister of Staff Onyx Lorenzoni and Ministers Ernesto Araújo (Foreign Affairs), Paulo Guedes (Economy), Sérgio Moro (Justice), Bento Albuquerque (Mines and Energy), Tereza Cristina Dias (Agriculture, Livestock and Supply), Tarcísio de Freitas (Infrastructure) and Marcos Pontes (Science and Technology). The event was widely covered by the national and international press with the presence of 119 media representatives.

“This year, Brasil Investment Forum has consolidated as an event of great relevance for the close network between the private sector and the government. There was a broad agenda of parallel meetings in which partnerships and initiatives to improve the Brazilian business environment were discussed. The panels were also high-level and showed what has been done and the challenges and opportunities that still exist for the development of our economy,” said Sergio Segovia, president of Apex-Brasil.

During BIF 2019, dozens of meetings were held between businesspersons and representatives from eleven Brazilian ministries and the IDB, as well as eight panels and four parallel sessions on topics such as the energy sector reform, Brazil’s international insertion agenda, agribusiness, productivity, the future of labor, defense, infrastructure investments, financial system, international business standards, new technological frontiers, privatization and tax simplification, and the role of multilateral banks.

The event also counted with a dedicated area for direct assistance to investors from 24 Brazilian state governments and with the presence of Governors Antônio Denarium, from Roraima, Marcos Rocha, from Rondônia and Mauro Mendes, from Mato Grosso, as well as Vice-Governors Carlos Brandão, from Maranhão, Lincoln Tejota, from Goiás and Paco Britto, from the Federal District.

Cooperation Agreements between Apex-Brasil and ANEEL, PPI

The president of Apex-Brasil, Sergio Segovia, signed, during the event, Technical Cooperation Agreements with the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) and with the
Investment Partnership Program (PPI) from the Civil House.

The agreement with ANEEL was signed by the general director of the Agency, André Pepitone, and with the PPI it was signed by PPI’s Special Secretary, Martha Seillier. The partnerships foresee the dedication of mutual efforts to attract foreign capital to the electric power and infrastructure sectors, through activities related to intelligence, promotion and investment facilitation. Foreign investors already established in Brazil will also be supported through the agreements.

Investment Announcement

During the event, the Boston Scientific Corporation (BSC), a North American manufacturer of medical equipment and devices, announced the investment in a new plant in Brazil, in Contagem (MG). Apex-Brasil assisted the company in this investment, providing information and arranging the contacts with government agents regarding the plant’s opening procedures. During the announcement event, a Protocol of Intent was also signed with Apex-Brasil, providing the Agency’s support to the company along this investment and in future initiatives.

The Boston Scientific Corporation turnover is around US$ 9.8 billion per year, with US$ 1 bn per year invested in Research and Development (R&D). The company develops high technology medical equipment and devices for several segments, with a portfolio of more than 13 thousand products in cardiovascular, neurological, urologic, digestive and respiratory devices.
BSC has 32 thousand employees working in 130 countries and serving approximately 30 million patients a year worldwide.

In Contagem, Boston Scientific’s first global plant in the Southern Hemisphere, an aortic valve system used in the treatment of aortic stenosis will be produced, a product with high technology and earned-value, that uses the implant via catheter (avoiding open-chest surgery, which has a higher associated risk). 98% of the production is expected to be exported. The company also invested in another unit in Chapecó (SC). The two enterprises will generate approximately
600 jobs.

Breakfast with CEBRI

In partnership with the Brazilian Center for Institutional Relations (CEBRI), Apex-Brasil held a breakfast on Friday morning (Oct. 11) to discuss the engagement of private enterprise and Government policies for Brazil’s entry into the OECD and the impacts this will bring to the country’s economy.

Representatives of 29 companies were present, including presidents, directors and institutional and governmental relations. Companies such as Siemens, Dow Chemical Company, IBM, Bayer and Exxon Mobil participated in the event, opened by Ambassador José Alfredo Graça Lima, Vice President of CEBRI and the Business Director of Apex-Brasil, Augusto Pestana.

Round Table with the Atlantic Council

Apex-Brasil held a round table with members of the American think-tank Atlantic Council, to which Apex-Brasil is affiliated. The round table brought together members of the Brazilian government, the private sector and civil society for a discussion and feedback on the first draft of the US-Brazil 2.0 report: Enhancing the Bilateral Economic Relationship, a study that will be launched soon by both institutions. The report will deepen the Five Key Economic Avenues for Strengthening US-Brazil Trade and FDI, launched in April 2019 assessing the US-Brazil economic relations to date, the next logical steps, and outlining the five main areas of opportunity for further studies, in order to address the opportunities for close work between the two countries.

Agreement between the Ministry of Justice, BNDES and IDB

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security signed an agreement with the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to promote investments in public security. The document was signed on Oct. 10 by
Minister Sergio Moro, BNDES President Gustavo Montezano, and IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno during BIF 2019.

The agreement seeks to stimulate possible credit lines to finance programs and projects, as well as strengthen the planning, governance and management mechanisms of the Single Public Security System (SUSP).

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