Australia-Brazil Carnaval Gala Dinner in Melbourne

Do not miss the opportunity to network with companies doing business with Brazil and enjoy a night of samba, capoeira and great food!

Date: 31st July from 7pm to midnight

Venue: The Langham Hotel

With special guests:

His Excellency Fernando de Mello Barreto – Embassy of Brazil
Bernard Wheelahan – Chairman - Council on Australia Latin America Relations
Bob Hosking – CEO – Karoon Gas International
Alex Vanselow – CFO – BHP Billiton

Click here to download the invitation

ABCC Events

Feed-back on Victoria – Brazil Agribusiness Forum 2009

From left to right: The Hourable Joe Helper MP (VIC Minster for Agriculture & Small Business), Roger Frankel (Honorary Consul of Brazil in Victoria), Cristina Talacko (ABCC President), His Excellency Ambassador Fernando de Mello Barreto (Ambassador to Brazil in Australia), Bernard Baxter (ABCC -Victoria diretor)

Victorian, NSW and South Australian agribusiness companies attended the ABCC Agribusiness Forum at the University of Melbourne, with the Honourable Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture and Small Business and Member for Ripon, who emphasised the increased interest from Victoria in Brazil, especially with the appointment of Ben Foskett as Special Trade Envoy for Latin America.

In June 2008 Ben accompanied Prof David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria, on the first Victorian vice regal visit to Latin America and in May this year Ben led a Victorian “Urbanisation” trade mission to Brazil and to Argentina – the first formal trade mission hosted by the department to the region.

Ambassador Fernando de Mello Barreto discussed the present climate of the Brazilian economy as positive and discussed opportunities for partnerships in the bio-fuels and energy sectors.

Stephen Lill, General Manager of Chadwick Downs Cattle Company (currently Australia’s largest breeder of registered Bradford Cattle), has made 9 visits to Brazil to attend Cattle Expositions, Congresses and has participated with Austrade at the Feicorte Showcase. With Chadwick Downs genetics now featuring in 25% of Argentinean Braford herds, there is a focus in further introducing performance Braford genetics into Brazil.



We also had the privilege of hearing Professor German Spangenberg’s presentation on converting genomic discoveries into genetic solutions for agricultural industries. The Professor won the Australian Scientist Award in 2006 and is the Executive Director of the Biosciences Research Division (Department of Primary Industries) as well as a professor at La Trobe University.



Amongst other speakers were Marco Stacke from Perenia Carbon discussing opportunities for agricultural companies in the carbon credit markets and Ben White from Food Group who gave us an insight on the Victorian government’s approach to food security.

We thank the Victorian Government and JBS Swift for supporting the Forum and all speakers and guests, and invite our members we are preparing to host the ABCC Sustainability Forum in Sydney in September 2009.

Andy Marvin, JBS Swift Australia

ABCC Membership Renewal 2010

Dear ABCC members,

Just a reminder that the ABCC membership for 2009 will expire on 30th June. To renew your membership, please download the membership form for 2010 (note that the membership fee remains the same). As the viability of the Chamber depends largely on the payment of these subscriptions, we are counting on your membership renewal and continuous support to our projects and events throughout the year.

To renew your membership for 2010 please click on the following link:

http://www.australiabrazil.com.au/xtras/ABCC%20Membership%20Form%202010.pdf

Membership renewal form can be faxed to our secretariat at: (02) 9908 5826 or sent via email to: info@australiabrazil.com.au

I would like to thank all our members for their participation at our activities in 2008/2009 and express our commitment in continuing to deliver our services providing an exciting calendar of events for 2010. Our planned events include:

- Carnaval Gala Dinner & Dance - Melbourne
- Forum on Sustainability & Environment - Sydney
- Queensland Brazil Business Club Luncheon – Agribusiness - Brisbane
- Technology and Innovation Seminar – Adelaide
- Networking Drinks - Perth

We look forward to your participation at our events.

From the ABCC Committee

Special article from ABCC Member - SKM

Sinclair Knight Merz Expands into Brazil

17 June 2009

Global engineering, project delivery and sciences firm, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), is expanding into Brazil, providing engineering services to the world’s largest iron ore producer, Vale.

SKM personnel based in Perth, Brisbane and Santiago are providing services for the study and planning stages of Vale’s proposed expansion of iron ore operations in Brazil, working with Vale’s project team in Belo Horizonte.

The team has recently completed two feasibility studies, which follows the completion of a Value Engineering Study undertaken last year.

Ferrous Project Development General Manager for Vale, Jamil Sebe, said that SKM’s experience in Iron Ore Beneficiation Plants in the Pilbara, Western Australia, had provided exactly what Vale was seeking.
SKM’s General Manager, Mining and Metals, Santo Rizzuto, said that Vale had provided the impetus for SKM to expand into Brazil, following almost a decade of working in South America.

“In 1998 we started exploring opportunities in South America, working as sub-consultants on projects in Chile, Bolivia and Argentina,” Rizzuto said. “We realised the potential for mining work in the region, as part of our strategy to expand globally, across commodities and in areas where our clients were undertaking projects.”

The following year, SKM acquired the Chilean operations of International Mining Consultants (IMC Consultores), and in 2005, purchased Chilean engineering company Minmetal to become SKM Minmetal.

At that time, there were 400 staff in South America, with AUD $25 million in revenue.

“Over the past four years, we have established our Santiago office as our Global Centre of Capability in base metals and underground mining, providing skills to a range of clients and projects, not only in South America, but elsewhere around the world,” Rizzuto said.

“Today, we have more than doubled our revenue, we have registered an office in Lima, Peru, and are in the process of registering our business in Brazil.

“We have also expanded our service delivery to power, water and environment, as well as mining, and are providing the full suite of project delivery services, from studies and engineering, through to procurement, construction management and commissioning.”

Overall, SKM employs over 6,000 staff globally in more than 40 offices, providing services in Mining and Metals, Buildings and Infrastructure, Power and Industry and Water and Environment, with revenue of AUD$1 billion. The mining business accounts for a third of all staff and revenue.

“Our goal is to continue to expand our global business, to meet the needs of our major clients,” Rizzuto said.

“We aim to develop strategic partnerships with our clients, such as Vale, so that we can understand their business and deliver successful project outcomes, in the regions where they operate. Brazil is therefore a strategically important area for us, being the world’s largest exporter of iron ore, and the home of Vale.”

Company Background

Formed in 1964, SKM is an employee-owned company, with over 500 shareholders. In 2008, SKM was ranked 31st amongst the top 500 Private Companies in Australia, up from 48 on the previous year.

The SKM Mining and Metals offices are situated in Perth, Brisbane, Newcastle, Adelaide, Santiago (Chile), Yangzhou (China) and London, providing local application of global skills for client projects in those regions.

Clients include major mining houses such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Xstrata, Vale and Codelco, in commodities such as iron ore, coal, base metals, mineral sands and the aluminium chain.

http://www.skmconsulting.com/

Carajas Mine Transfer Station, Brazil - Vale

For further information, contact:
Santo Rizzuto - General Manager - Mining and Metals
E-mail: srizzuto@skm.com.au

By Maria Whaley - Capability Marketing Manager (email: mwhaley@skm.com.au)

Economy

Brazil GDP data hint at swift upturn

June 10, 2009

Brazil is recovering more quickly than expected from the global economic crisis, data for gross domestic product in the first quarter released yesterday suggest.
The economy contracted by 1.8 per cent against the first quarter of 2008, according to the government statistics office.

The consensus among market economists had been for a contraction of 2.8 per cent.
Compared with the previous quarter the contraction was just 0.8 per cent, much less than the 3.6 per cent shrinkage seen in the last period of 2008.

"This is particularly important," said Alexandre Lintz, economist at BNP Paribas in São Paulo.

"After the very strong contraction in the fourth quarter there was a lot of concern that this would continue, but the fall was much more moderate this time."

Private consumption, which had fallen 1.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter at the end of 2008, recovered by 0.7 per cent in the first period.

Nevertheless, the economy remains in contraction and investment is still falling sharply.
It fell 14 per cent compared with the first quarter last year and is unlikely to recover soon. Capacity utilisation in industry, for example, is about 79 per cent - a slight recovery from the 78 per cent seen at the end of last year but far short of pre-crisis levels of more than 83 per cent.

Overall, however, Mr Lintz said the moderate pace of recovery appeared to have continued into the second quarter and that the second and third periods should show sequential growth of about 1 per cent each.

The better than expected figures suggest the central bank, meeting yesterday and today to decide whether and by how much to cut its target overnight interest rate, is unlikely to follow the 1.5 and 1 point cuts it delivered at its March and April meetings respectively.

The market viewed the size of those cuts as emergency measures. Yesterday's economic data suggest the bank will be able to pursue the policy of "fine tuning" it laid out in the minutes of its last meeting and maintain its current loosening cycle for longer than expected.

The bank's rate, known as the Selic, fell from 13.75 per cent a year in September to 10.25 per cent in April. Many expect it to fall to 9 per cent by the end of this year, although some are predicting a rate as low as 8 per cent.

Discounting inflation of about 4.3 per cent, this would bring Brazil close to its target of having "developed world" interest rates, providing a further boost to investment and growth.

By Jonathan Wheatle

Source: Financial Times (www.ft.com)


Brazil Throws Its Weight into Global Currency Debate

June 11, 2009

By announcing that it will help finance the International Monetary Fund, Brazil joined Russia and China in taking a shot at the dollar's status as the world's reserve currency, though not as explicitly as they have.

Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Wednesday Latin America's largest country will offer $10 billion in financing to the IMF to help support credit availability for emerging market countries.

"This will increase Brazil's international influence," said David Fleischer, a political scientist at the University of Brasilia.

"Brazil is contributing directly to the re-engineering of the global finance system."

According to Mantega, Brazil will buy IMF bonds, which are denominated in an IMF currency unit, the Special Drawing Right, the use of which China and Russia have lately begun pushing.
Late last week, China said it is willing to buy as much as $50 billion in IMF bonds. It recently suggested that SDRs replace the greenback in the future as the world's premier reserve currency.

Greater reliance on SDRs could give China and Russia a way to diversify their reserves out of the U.S. dollar, albeit quite indirectly, as SDRs are based on a basket of international currencies, including the dollar.

According to HSBC, at current exchange rates, the dollar represents 41% of the SDR unit, while the euro makes up 37.5%, the yen 12% and the British pound 9.5%.

The timing of Brazil's announcement was interesting, coming on the same day as Russia announced its aim to cut the share of U.S. Treasuries in its foreign reserves. Russia holds the equivalent of $400 billion in reserves, the world's third-largest after China and Japan. Brazil's reserves amount to $204.6 billion.

Brazil itself has made some tentative gestures toward reducing the dollar's influence, including a recent proposal to trade with China in their own respective currencies. The Chinese have not formally responded to the Brazilian overture.

Chinese, Russian and Brazilian officials in recent months have all called for a critical review of the dollar's position as the global reserve currency.

But at a news conference Wednesday, Mantega struck a different note, saying, "In reality, this is an investment Brazil is making with part of its reserves to aid developing countries with scarce credit."

Mantega said the decision on which reserve funds to redirect would be up to the central bank, but added that they would probably use those assets that were producing "the lowest returns." He did not specifically say U.S. Treasuries would be targeted.Brazil's central bank doesn't routinely publish the composition of its foreign reserves, but U.S. Treasurys clearly make up the largest proportion of them. A year ago, the central bank said roughly 80% of its reserves were in U.S. Treasurys, while 15% was in euro-denominated government bonds and a small portion in gold.

Yet even if Brazil buys the IMF bonds exclusively with U.S. Treasurys, the $10 billion involved is less than 5% of Brazil's foreign exchange reserves and a drop in the bucket of outstanding U.S. Treasurys.

On the other hand, the move is significant for Brazil domestically.

Historically, Brazil's relationship with the IMF has been rather one-sided - as a borrower. However, in recent years, anchored by a pragmatic economic policy based on tight control over inflation and increasing foreign reserves, Brazil has paid down debts and is now emerging as an IMF creditor, raising its international profile among the world's economic heavyweights.Analysts say that lends itself to political benefits for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration.
"It is clear that this will be used in the next presidential race as a way of trumpeting the achievements of the ruling Workers' Party," said the University of Brasilia's Fleischer.

In October of 2010, Brazilians will elect Lula's successor, as his second four-year term ends then and he is not eligible for a third. Elections will include congressional seats and other offices.

By Rogerio Jelmayer

Source: Dow Jones Newswires (www.dowjones.com)

Brazil on the Rebound

25 May 2009

Regular readers of Insights will recall a prediction I made in January this year that "Brazil will lead the global emerging markets out of the current doldrums to be the top performing emerging market in 2009".

I suggested that there were three reasons to be optimistic about Brazil's economy in 2009:

- Self-sustaining domestic growth, led by consumer spending;
- Massive infrastructure investment;
- Increasing trade between the BRIC countries and other emerging markets.

So, what's been happening in the last five months?

Firstly, Brazil's Bovespa stock index has already climbed 33% this year (following a record 41% decline in 2008) and the economy is growing again after a short-lived recession. The Government predicts GDP growth of 1% this year and Brazil's economy now stands at $1.31 trillion, the 10th largest in the world. The unemployment rate in Brazil's six largest metropolitan areas fell to 8.9% in April, the first decline in four months, and the Brazilian real will steady around 2 per US dollar having weakened to 2.51 per dollar in December from a high of 1.56 in August last year.

Self-sustaining domestic growth, led by consumer spending

In order to counter the slowdown in exports, the Brazilian government has cut taxes on cars, home appliances and construction materials, injected about $90 billion into banking and money markets and increased public spending. The central bank has cut interest rates three times since January to a record low of 10.25% and retail sales are rising slowly. According to Brazil's Finance minister, Guido Mantega, the economy will improve further in the second quarter and the pace of growth in the last quarter of this year may reach as high as 5%. Sales rose 0.3% in March from the previous month, after a 1.5% gain in February. These are encouraging signs for the growth of much-needed domestic consumption.

Massive infrastructure investment

Whilst Brazil's construction industry has been hit by the global slowdown, the Government's Growth Acceleration Program (launched in 2007) is committed to supporting investment in infrastructure projects. With Brazil's large fiscal stimulus package (US$254bn, representing a significant 19% of GDP) there is widespread activity across many infrastructure projects including road, rail, power and the construction of low income housing. In addition, housing, commercial and tourism construction is also set to get a sizeable boost from the preparations for the 2014 World Cup, which is estimated to inject a further US$43bn into the infrastructure sector.

Increasing trade between the BRIC countries and other emerging markets

"Intra-BRIC" trade and investment is one of the key indicators to watch in evaluating the prospects for growth in the global economy in 2009 and beyond, and there have been many deals signed between two or more BRIC leaders in the early months of this year. The latest follows a very successful state visit to China by President Lula de Silva in which he signed 13 agreements with Chinese President Hu Jintao (both pictured above) covering science, space, law, ports and farm products.

In the most significant of these agreements, the China Development Bank agreed to lend US$10 billion to Brazil's Petrobras in return for a guaranteed supply of 200,000 barrels of oil per day to China's state oil firm Sinopec for the next 10 years. The agreement for Brazil to supply China with oil was largely negotiated in February, along with a memorandum of understanding on long-term financing for Petrobras which needs funds to help extract massive, newly-found oil reserves. Petrobras and Sinopec also signed a memorandum of understanding on exploration, refining and petrochemicals. This deal came hot on the heels of a similar agreement under which Russia has agreed to supply China with oil for 20 years in exchange for loans to Russian state firms.

For the first time, China displaced the United States as Brazil's top trading partner in April, a trend that is expected to continue as China looks to secure energy resources from its BRIC trading partners. According to President Lula de Silva, "In 2009, China became Brazil's first trading partner. Now we still face the challenge of exploring the full potential of investments that our economies can offer to each other." Brazilian exports to China have grown by 65% from January to April 2009 compared with the same period one year ago.

Next BRIC Summit

The next official meeting of the BRIC leaders is scheduled for 15th and 16th June in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This will be the first international appearance of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India since being re-elected earlier this month (a sign of the times that he has chosen Yekaterinburg over Washington for his first overseas trip!) According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ma Zhaoxu, when confirming China's involvement in the next BRIC Summit: "The BRIC countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India and China, are all important emerging nations and driving forces for the world's common development. They share the same or similar opinions on many international issues and all have the political desire for further cooperation and communication. In recent years, the four countries have exchanged views on world economic and developing issues of common concern through various channels. The dialogue and co-operation among the four countries is transparent and open and is not aimed at any other country."

By David Thomas

Source: www.thinkglobal.com.au

Bio-fuels

Brazil Energy investments increasingly mix oil, bio-fuels

Posted on June 16, 2009 by sugarcaneblog

Brazil may be rich in oil opportunities, but even traditional energy companies are betting on cleaner, less volatile biofuels. “Oil is the fuel of the 20th century; renewables will dominate the 21st,” said Plinio Nastari, president of Sao Paulo-based consulting group Datagro.

Oil companies that invest in biofuels will benefit from a significant increase in global demand, driven by the desire for energy security and lower greenhouse-gas emissions, oil executives and biofuels experts said at a Sao Paulo alternative-fuels conference this week. As for Brazil, oil companies are increasingly investing in the country’s sugarcane-based ethanol industry, which experts cited as the world’s best example of sustainable fuel production.

The oil industry didn’t always view biofuels as a compatible product but instead often as competition. In Brazil, that idea is changing rapidly.

Government-controlled energy giant Petrobras (PBR) made the strategic decision to enter the biofuels market in March 2008 with the creation of a biofuels subsidiary, Petrobras Biocombustivel.

“We are now in a period of energy transition. Petrobras is preparing for higher demand for biofuels,” said Miguel Rosseto, president of Petrobras Biocombustivel.

Petrobras produces biodiesel, but won’t start ethanol production until late 2009 or early 2010, said Rosseto.

Petrobras’ biofuels investment comes despite the huge presalt oil finds that created a stir of excitement in November 2007, when Petrobras said offshore fields held recoverable reserves of between five billion and eight billion barrels of oil equivalent–the Western Hemisphere’s largest oil discovery in 30 years.

In January, Petrobras announced a $174.4 billion five-year investment plan, of which $2.8 billion will go to biofuels. Even though biofuels represent only a small portion of total investments, Petrobras President Jose Sergio Gabrielli said the company was responsible for 16% of all Brazilian investments in ethanol production and development on the boards.

Nastari noted that Petrobras has long played an important role in the Brazilian ethanol industry. “Petrobras handles 35-40% of the distribution market through its retail stations. Distribution is a key factor that is missing in pretty much every other country,” Nastari said.

International companies are also investing in Brazilian ethanol

British oil major BP PLC (BP) has announced investments of around $1 billion in ethanol- expansion efforts in Brazil. BP acquired a 50% stake in sugarcane ethanol company Tropical Bioenergia for 100 million Brazilian reals ($49 million) in April 2008.

The $1 billion in investment will go to increasing ethanol production at Tropical, according to BP Biofuels Brasil Chief Executive Mario Lindenhayn.

Lindenhayn said two trends driving investment in biofuels are energy security and climate change. “Energy security is caused by limited oil supplies, and climate change is occurring because of increasing energy demand,” he said.

Lindenhayn stressed that 70% of the world’s oil is produced in only seven countries and that climate change is causing irreparable damage that must be stopped. “Biofuels represent the only practical path to deal with these issues,” he said.

More than just oil companies are investing in biofuels

Brazil’s largest sugar and ethanol group, Cosan Industria e Comercio SA (CSAN3.BR), acquired Esso, Exxon Mobil Corp.’s (XOM) distribution and service station business in Brazil last December.

With the acquisition, Cosan expanded its business model to become a fully integrated renewable- energy company, with operations ranging from sugarcane cultivation to fuel distribution and retail sales.

Marcos M. Lutz, Cosan’s marketing vice president, differentiated Cosan from the oil industry by noting that his company entered the energy market from the opposite direction and is driven by different factors than traditional oil companies.

“Oil companies need to reduce their carbon footprints, and ethanol would be a good option,” he said. “They have good financials and could be more active in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Lutz said Brazil is the best example in the world of partnerships between oil companies and the ethanol industry: “Oil companies in Brazil have entirely incorporated ethanol into their businesses.”

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of ethanol.

SOURCE: By Daniel McCleary, DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Energy

Brazil BNDES: Oil Industry Needs $5 BLN in New Investments

June 03, 2009

In testimony before Brazil's Lower House, BNDES aide Rafael Oliva said that the bank had been working with the government to establish rules needed for development of the country's recently discovered offshore oil deposits. "The BNDES has the obligation to support every segment of the oil production chain," Oliva said. According to Oliva, the BNDES targeted eight key areas for investment in the oil sector supply chain. The targets included development of Brazil's shipyards, the need to strengthen national engineering firms and stimulus packages to attract foreign firms in areas where local industry is lacking, Oliva said. Demand for equipment and services for the oil and natural gas industry is soaring in Brazil, thanks to a series of recent deepwater discoveries. State-run energy giant Petrobras (PBR) will invest $174.4 billion over the next five years to expand its production, with the lion's share of that investment in Brazil.

The BNDES is one of Petrobras' primary finance sources, and has been a key provider of funding for the company's suppliers.

Source: Dow Jones Newswires (http://www.dowjones.com/)

Lula to Send Brazil Oil Bill to Congress in July, Bernardo Says

June, 22 2009

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will present a bill aimed at increasing government control of offshore oil reserves to Congress in July before an annual legislative holiday.

Under the proposed new law, Brazil will divide oil output with companies that agree to develop blocks and give Brazil’s government a share of production, Development Minister Paulo Bernardo said in an interview in Londrina, Brazil. The company that offers the biggest share of output at auction will win the right to develop the area.

Brazil’s president asked his top ministers to review the country’s system of leasing oil exploration blocks to the highest bidder after the November 2007 announcement of Tupi, a 5 billion to 8 billion barrel offshore field that is the largest discovery in the Americas in three decades.

“We’ve already met with Lula and given him our proposals,” said Bernardo, a member of the committee advising Lula on the bill. “He will present his bill to Congress before the recess.”

Tupi is part of an offshore “pre-salt” area that may contain 100 million barrels according to Marcio Mello, president of Brazil’s petroleum geologist’s association. Congress is scheduled to go on recess July 17, according to the Web site of the Chamber of Deputies, Brazil’s lower house.

Lula has already reviewed the proposed legislation presented by a committee of ministers and the chief executive of state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Bernardo said.
New State Company

As part of the plan, the government will set up a new state-owned oil company to manage the government’s stake in new oil developments, he said. The company will remain “skinny”, staffed by a small number of technically oriented bureaucrats and won’t operate oil fields, only manage the proceeds from fields the government owns.

Brazil also plans to require companies providing important oil equipment and services in the country to set up factories and local operations, Bernardo said.
“We want Brazil to become an exporter of oil equipment and services, not just an oil exporter,” he said.

Lula has said that existing oil exploration rights sold to companies such as Petrobras, BG Group Plc, Repsol YPF SA, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Galp Energia SGPS SA under the current auction system won’t be changed by the new proposals.

By Jeb Blount

Source: Bloomberg (www.bloomberg.com)

Education & Science

Top 20 nations in output and world share for the sciences and social sciences

25 June 2009

Data provided by Thomson Reuters National Science Indicators (ESI fields) database, 1981-2008 (table based on data from 2004-08 only)



The data above were extracted from the National Science Indicators database of Thomson Reuters. This database surveys only journal articles (original research reports and review articles) indexed by Thomson Reuters. Both articles tabulated and citation counts to those articles are for the period indicated.

Here, the ranking is by output, which is also expressed as world share in percentage terms. The number of indexed original research reports and review articles, for 2004-08, amounted to 4,865,868 items. For articles with multiple authors from different nations, each nation receives full, not fractional, publication credit. Noteworthy is China’s ranking in second place, resulting from a steep increase in output over the past decade.

Of interest, too, is the presence of Turkey and Poland at 19th and 20th positions; both now surpass in output Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Israel, to name a few.

The column at the far right provides a rough indicator of relative impact, meaning citations per paper for the nation in the sciences and social sciences as compared with the world average. Readers should view these figures, which are expressed as a percentage above or below the world average, with caution because individual nations show greater concentration of output in some fields than in others, and different fields, as shown in this space previously, exhibit the very different rates of citations per paper. To the degree a nation skews its output to fields with high rates of citation, such as molecular biology, it would score a higher number in this analysis.

Also, if a nation focused its output in lower impact fields, its score would be dampened.

On the other hand, because the numbers dealt with here are large and all 20 nations publish across all fields in the sciences and social sciences, there seemed some insight to be gained.

The US certainly stands out in relative impact, with a score 46 per cent higher than the world average. But that is not the highest among the 20: Switzerland and the Netherlands tally higher scores, at 63 per cent and 49 per cent more than the world average, respectively. Sweden, the UK and Germany follow according to this measure, at fourth, fifth and sixth places. Although China now ranks second in output, its relative citation score stands at 38 per cent below the world average. China’s output does, in fact, tilt more towards the physical sciences than the biological sciences, so this measure may be somewhat depressed. Still, China’s score, about that of Brazil, is higher than those of India, Russia and Turkey.

For more information on Thomson Reuters National Science Indicators database, see http://www.in-cites.com/rsg/nsi/index.html

Established powers must link up with 'Latin tiger':

Europe and the US could be sidelined if they fail to form research alliances with Brazil, writes Phil Baty

25 June 2009, By Phil Baty

Times Higher Education

"Intellectual marginalisation" could be the fate for the US and Europe if they fail to seize opportunities presented by the burgeoning research power of "Latin tigers" such as Brazil.

This is the warning from a study, The New Geography of Science, due out in July. Focusing on Brazil, it warns that established research powers remain "ignorant at their peril" of the growing strength of the Latin American giant, and will suffer economically if they fail to forge research alliances.

"The cost of not making a commitment to partnership with Brazil will be significant in terms of both intellectual and economic development," says the paper, by research analysis firm Evidence, part of Thomson Reuters.

"Europe has benefited financially from trading goods in the past. The new 'must have' is knowledge, and Europe and the US must be fully involved in its future trade, or become marginalised intellectually.

"Brazil's profile, improving excellence, size and interface with the rest of the international research base make it an essential partner in any future international research portfolio."

Brazil is key among a new pack of "Latin tigers" - including Mexico and Argentina - identified by Evidence.

Latin America's share of the world's scientific papers rose from 1.7 per cent in 1990 to 4.8 per cent in 2008, according to Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge.

In 1981, there were about 2,000 papers with an author address in Brazil. In 2008, there will be about 20,000 - a ten-fold increase, the report says.

"The most striking feature of the new geography of science is the sheer scale of investment and mobilisation of people behind innovation that is under way, driven by a high-tech vision of how to succeed in the global economy," the paper says.

Brazil has a population of 190 million and its spend on research and development in 2007 was US$13 billion, about 1 per cent of gross domestic product - well ahead of many European nations.

It produces more than 500,000 new graduates and about 10,000 new PhD researchers each year, Evidence says, representing a ten-fold increase in 20 years.

In the paper, the first of a new series of Global Research Reports from Evidence, the company warns: "Brazil is an increasingly important and competitive research economy. Its research workforce capacity and R&D investment are expanding rapidly, offering many new possibilities in a rapidly diversifying research portfolio."

With about 85,000 papers published in 2003-07, Brazil had about 1.83 per cent of the world's papers published in journals indexed by Thomson Reuters. In plant and animal sciences, it had 3.91 per cent of the world's papers, up from 2.62 per cent in 1998-2002. In agricultural sciences, it had 3.72 per cent, up from 3.07 per cent. Its share of microbiology papers was 2.86 per cent, and of environment/ecology papers, 2.63 per cent.

"Brazil clearly has real strength in life sciences, particularly related to natural resources," the paper says. "It really is the natural knowledge economy."

Brazil's science research paper output Field Share (% of world)

Volume (papers 2003-07)
Tropical medicine 18.40 1,433
Parasitology 12.34 1,635
Multidisciplinary agriculture 8.61 1,627
Oral surgery and medicine 8.19 2,203
Entomology 7.06 1,629
Dairy and animal sciences 6.49 1,617
Biology 6.43 1,999
Soil sciences 5.84 947
Veterinary sciences 5.79 3,421
Zoology 5.57 2,264

In two areas, Brazil is identified as a key global player: tropical medicine (with 18.4 per cent of the world's research papers) and parasitology (12.34 per cent).

The report says that the US is Brazil's leading research collaborator, followed by the UK and France, but there has been rapid growth in Brazilian partnerships with Portugal, and regionally, with Argentina, Mexico and Chile.

Partners on Brazilian research papers included academics from Harvard University, Imperial College London and the University of Oxford - "a strong signal of the perceived rewards of working with Brazil", the report says.

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=407088&c=2

Fashion

Carmen Steffens Franchise in Australia

Based in Brazil and with more than 140 franchise stores worldwide, Carmen Steffens is the fashion leader in women’s footwear, handbags and accessories markets.

June, 2009

By Roberta Facuri – ABCC

Carmen Steffens was founded in 1993 by Mario Spaniol whose aim was to create a female fashion brand that would attend to women’s boldest desires. In 1996, the company decided to distribute their products through franchise channel, and after ten years (2006), Carmen Steffens was considered the best franchise firm by Getulio Vargas foundation which develops an annual research about this type of distribution channel.

Carmen Steffens is known today as a high quality and desirable brand that has an exclusive products and unique Brazilian style. The shoes and accessories are designed with handcrafted adornments, hand stitched embroidery, crystals with a strong attention to details. Carmen Steffens products are inspired by the lifestyle of the fashion savvy, discriminating, and confident woman.

The regular collection has a mix of more than 3,000 different colours and material options which enables them to provide an enormous variety of styles to attend all markets needs (domestic and international). The head office and factory are located in a city at the countryside of Sao Paulo state called Franca, which is known as strong exporter of leather and male shoes. Therefore, the company is considered as one of the most efficient manufacturers of footwear and leather goods in Brazil, and is capable of producing different collections simultaneously (winter and summer).

All leather is supplied by Couroquimica (www.couroquimica.com.br), one of the largest leather tanneries in Latin America and a part of the Carmen Steffens group.

Carmen Steffens is already in Australia with stores in Perth and Canberra and they have plans to expand to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Adelaide in the next five years.
For more information, check the Australian website –
www.carmensteffens.com.au .

Food and Beverage

ACCC releases Food Labelling Guide to educate food and beverage firms

23 June 2009

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has recently released the Food Labelling Guide, which has been designed to ensure food and beverage marketers are aware of their obligations to ensure all advertising and food labels are accurate. Any misleading information on packaging or in advertising is pursued by the ACCC under the Trade Practices Act.

The Guide is a supplement to the competition regulator's 2006 publication - Food and beverage industry: food descriptors guideline to the Trade Practices Act - and outlines practical examples of the types of claims and representations that can and cannot be made when developing food and beverage labelling, packaging and advertising.

To gain accesses to the guide please visit: www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/877504

Source: International Business Times, http://www.ibtimes.com.au/articles/20090623/accc-releases-food-labelling-guide-to-educate-food-and-beverage-firms.htm

Exclusive for Members

ABCC cuts deal with Qantas on flights to South America: Enjoy the all-year-discount and personalized service with Qantas from April 2009

Qantas Travel and The Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce have an all-year-round reason to travel from anywhere in Australia with Qantas to:

- Buenos Air;
- Santiago;
- Montevideo;
- Sao Paulo and other Brazilian cities;

With an exclusive Qantas discount only available to ABCC members!!

For the Best Fare of The Day or for more information on the exclusive All-Year-Round ABCC fare offer contact:

Qantas Travel, Bridge Street on (02) 9951 4294

Fairs & Exhibitions

Expoagro

45th International Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Exhibition of Mato Grosso

July 2 to 12, 2009

Sectoral/ International/ Annual Exhibition

Product lines and/or services:
Livestock exhibition, machines, products and services for agribusiness, shows, events and gastronomy. With roughly 250 exhibitors, the fair will be open to the public from 5pm to 12 midnight.

Sponsor: Sindicato Rural de Cuiabá
Venue: Parque de Exposições Senador Jonas Pinheiros – Cuiabá Mato Grosso
Website of the event: http://www.sindruralcuiaba.org.br/
E-mail of the event: secretaria@subdruralcuiaba.org.br

Francal 2009

41st International Footwear, Fashion Accessories, Machines and Components Fair

July 14 to 17, 2009

Sectoral/ International/ Annual Fair

Product lines and/or services:
Men’s, women’s and children’s formal and sports footwear, complete line of accessories in leather, bags, wallets, belts, sporting and travel goods, bijouterie, machines and raw materials for the footwear sector. With roughly 1,000 exhibitors, the fair will be open to business people from 10 am to 8 pm on July 14 to 16, and from 10 am to 5 pm on July 17.

Sponsor: Francal Feiras e Empreendimentos Ltda.
Venue: Pavilhão de Exposições do Parque Anhembi – São Paulo – SP
Website of the event: http://www.feriafrancal.com.br/
E-mail of the event: feiras@francal.com.br

Bio Brazil Fair 2009

5th International Organic and Agro-Ecological Products Fair

July 23 to 26, 2009

Sectoral/ International/ Annual Fair

Product lines and/or services:
Certified organic products (whole and industrialized), fruit, vegetables and poultry, cold storage, dairy products, cosmetics, literature, garments, beverages, medicinal plants, projects for land reform and sustainable agriculture. With roughly 46 exhibitors, the fair will be open to the public from 11 am to 8 pm.

Sponsor: Francal Feiras e Empreendimentos Ltda.
Venue: Pavilhão da Bienal – Parque do Ibirapuera – São Paulo – SP
Website of the event: http://www.biobrazilfair.com.br/
E-mail of the event: feiras@francal.com.br

Natural Tech 2009

5th International Health Food, Natural Products and Health Fair

July 23 to 26, 2009

Sectoral/ International/ Annual Fair

Product lines and/or services:
Health foods, functional and probiotic foods, supplements, fibbers, honey, diet & light, natural products, cosmetics, phytotherapies, acupuncture, aromatherapy, equipment and therapies. With roughly 77 exhibitors, the fair will be open to the public from 11 am to 8 pm.

Sponsor: Francal Feiras e Empreendimentos Ltda.
Venue: Pavilhão da Bienal – Parque do Ibirapuera – São Paulo – SP
Website of the event: http://www.naturaltech.com.br/
E-mail of the event: feiras@francal.com.br