ABCC NEWS

ABCC - Feed Back on Events

2011-01-30T16:50:00.001+11:00

Feed Back on FIFA World Cup 2014 and Rio Olympics 2016 Business Mission

The ABCC in conjunction with the Australia-Latin America Business Council , AISES (Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat) and Austrade has conducted a business mission to Brazil in November 2010 to explore opportunities for Australian companies with the World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016 in Brazil.

Under the auspices of the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR), the mission included visits to major cities as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo Brasilia and Belo Horizonte and participation at Soccerex Global Convention, the global leader for the business of football.

The group was composed of companies covering sectors of architecture and engineering, event management, water treatment, education and training, athlete performance measurement devices and risk management who met up with key representatives within CBF, Rio’s Olympic Committee, Federal and State Governments, Councils and companies involved in the infrastructure processes.

The result of the visit was far more fruitful than envisaged. Usually, a first trip to Brazil by companies that have not been there or done business with Brazil before has the objective to build awareness of the opportunities and educate them about the potential market, economic stability and how to do business with Brazilians. However, this visit has gone further than that and a number of the delegate companies are already entering into contracts and partnerships, which shows that Brazil is looking for foreign expertise and inward investment to be able to conduct these two events successfully. It also witnesses the fact that Australia is regarded as an important contributor in the international arena by Brazilians.

The Brazilian government representatives and business community were extremely receptive of the group and highly impressed with the offerings. With SBS journalist and COALAR director Craig Foster as the mission advisor, due to his football background and vast media experience, the delegates gained the respect and attention of the Brazilian counterparts through the mutual love of football. As well as creating important business links, the delegation was able to consolidate relationships which are highly important to the countries and will open doors to further business interaction.

The FIFA World Cup 2014 and the Rio Olympics 2016 present huge opportunities for Australian companies as there is a need to remodel stadiums and build new high standard venues. The infrastructure required is not only directed to sporting venues, but also towards improvement of public transport, airports, hotels and temporary accommodation. Opportunities lie also in areas of training of staff and managing the volunteers that will assist in both events. In summary, the opportunities cover a diverse area from supply of stadiums with grass to building major new structures, as well as offering logistic and transport solutions, urban planning, green energy, waste and management etc.

The ABCC is planning on conducting a second mission this year to consolidate the objectives of the first visit and attract other companies that were not able to join us the first time.

For further information, contact the ABCC secretariat on: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au

Cristina Talacko
President – Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce

Briefing by Olympic Committee in Rio:
Ronaldo Veirano (Honorary Consul of Australia in Rio and Senior Partner,
Veirano Advogados), Roger Frankel (Honorary Consul of Brazil in Victoria),
Cristina Talacko (ABCC President, COALAR director), Pedro Nascimento (Rio
Coucil), Ricardo Cardoso (Olympic Committee Rio 2016), Craig Foster (AISES
mission advisor, COALAR director)

Zico and Craig Foster at Zico's Football Center, Rio

Briefing by Dr Marcelo de Andrade (Pro-Natural Foundation) at Rio
de Janeiro Chamber of Commerce

Meetings with Brazilian Ministry for External Affairs (Brasilia)

Cocktail at Australian Embassy in Brasilia with His Excellency
Ambassador Neil Mules, Paulo Araujo ( President, Brasilia's Federation of
Football), Craig Foster and Weber Magalhães (Vice-President, CBF)

Seminar and networking session at Mello Campos Attorneys (Belo
Horizonte)

Meeting and interviews at Sao Paulo Football Federation (Sao
Paulo)

Business Round Table at Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce (Sao Paulo)

International Chambers of Commerce Beach Football Tournament - 10th December

2010 Maroubra Beach
Once again the ABCC took part at the International Chambers of Commerce
Football Tournament with a top class team coming 3rd.

ABCC New Members

2011-01-30T16:40:00.002+11:00

Latin Pacific Trading

Fusion Sport Pty Ltd

Exporters Club SA

Special Article from ABCC Member

2011-01-30T16:30:00.000+11:00

Accendo Education

Accendo Education is at the forefront of language and professional education resources. Beyond languages education we assist through every step of the way as educational agent and training provider. Since opening our door in July 2010, Accendo Education has been delivering successful Portuguese and English courses as well as specific professional training programs.

All our language training program are tailored and customised to suit the particular needs of our customers both individuals and corporate. Accendo Education is about assisting its partners and clients to reach their goals, whether they are for work or professional development, travel or simply personal interest.

Accendo offers an extensive suite of tailored training programs, some of which are outlined below:

Individuals and/or companies who are moving or setting businesses up in Brazil,

Those willing to further their studies abroad into, for example, a masters degree or other business and professional related type of study.

Businessmen or businesswomen who are about to take on expat roles within their organisations in Brazil. Imagine arriving at this exotic place and being able to communicate in the native language from the moment the plane lands.

If you are in one of the categories above, Accendo caters for language specific proficiency and exams such as CELPE-BRS.

Grandparents and other family relatives who want to communicate with grandchildren and or family members who are native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese

Life partners, girlfriends/boyfriends, husbands / wives who want to be able to better communicate with their other half in ways that the difference of cultural background can be minimised. Imagine the possibilities here...

Our training programs are of the highest quality and delivered in a stimulating classroom (of deliberately small groups) or one-on-one environment (as private lessons). Our teachers and instructors are highly experienced and qualified. Our approach is based on an atmosphere of trust,enjoyment and success. Our staff is well aware that we don’t all learn at the same pace so, all our programs are fully monitored at individuals level to ensure your success. This is our drive!

For further details on our products, services and class schedules, please look us up at www.accendo-edu.com or contact us at info@accendo-edu.com.

Mining

2011-01-30T16:20:00.000+11:00

Vale open to investing in power generation in Chile

Brazilian miner Vale (NYSE: VALE) is open to investing in power generation in Chile if it is needed to cover demand from potential mining projects in the country, executive director for exploration, energy and projects, Eduardo Ledsham, told BNamericas.

"Our priority in Chile is developing mining projects. If we develop a copper project big enough to need a significant amount of power, we would consider investing in generation, but only to secure supply for our own mining projects," Ledsham said at the inauguration of the company's Tres Valles red metal operation in the country's northern region IV.

The executive said power is a sensitive issue in Chile due to the imbalance between supply and demand. "I think the country is looking for investments to secure future supply."

Vale is Brazil's biggest energy consumer, accounting for 4% of total demand in the country. The company's global strategy includes investing in power generation to meet the demands of its operations, Vale's country manager for Chile Gilberto Schubert told BNamericas.

The miner has stakes in seven existing hydroelectric power plants in Brazil with a total generation capacity of 1,232MW, and in one that is being built and will add 1,087MW to total capacity. It also fully owns four more small plants that provide an additional 58MW.

The company sees no need to invest in power generation in Chile at present, Schubert said, considering Tres Valles is a small operation with a designed output capacity of 18,500t/y and a power demand of 16MW, which is already covered.

Tres Valles is Vale's first copper operation in Chile, the world's largest red metal producer, and the company plans to expand operations in the country. "We have come here to stay," executive director for base metals Tito Martins said. Therefore, the option of securing power supply for its own projects needs to be considered, according to Schubert.

The company aims to have at least three or four copper projects in Chile, plus some others that are being evaluated in Peru and Brazil, Martins said.

Vale is carrying out an intensive exploration program in Chile. "We are already investing close to US$30mn in exploration campaigns in our concessions in the country," Ledsham said.

Tres Valles is not meant to increase the company's profits, according to Ledsham, but rather to generate working capital to be spent on other mining opportunities in the country.

Vale to Invest $4.6 Billion in Malaysia Distribution

Vale SA, the world’s largest iron- ore producer, will invest about 14 billion ringgit ($4.6 billion) in a distribution center in Malaysia, a government official said.
"They have already completed the land acquisition and are expected to start construction work around July," said Zambry Abdul Kadir, chief minister of Perak state, where the center will be located. "The entire project will be done in phases," with the investment spanning up to 10 years, he said today by telephone.
Vale said in an October presentation that it would spend $148 million in 2011 as part of the first phase of the project. The distribution center will be able to receive cargo ships carrying 400,000 deadweight tons and have the initial capacity to stockpile as much as 30 million metric tons, Vale said.
A Vale official in Rio de Janeiro, who declined to be named because of corporate policy, said the company still doesn’t have an investment figure for the entire project as it has yet to be approved by Vale’s board.

Infrastructure

2011-01-30T16:10:00.000+11:00

CAF wins US$128mn Recife train tender

Consortium Guararapes, made up of Spain's CAF and its local branch CAF Brasil, has won a tender to supply electric trains for Brazil's Pernambuco state capital Recife, a spokesperson for urban rail company CBTU's tenders committee told BNamericas.

CAF won the contract with a bid of some 217mn reais (US$128mn), the spokesperson said. The ceiling price set for the competition was 276mn reais.

The only other competitor, Alstom Brasil, was disqualified for failing to meet the project's technical requirements. The company submitted an appeal that was later rejected by CBTU, according to the official.

CAF will provide 15 electric-driven trains to operate on Recife's metro system. Worth some 18.4mn reais each, the trains will be made up of four cars running on the 3,000V DC system with a 1,600mm gauge.

The project should take 45 months, which includes testing the trains. Once a service order is signed, the first train is scheduled to be delivered after 20 months, and the last one after 31 months, the CBTU spokesperson said.

The new trains are part of improvements to Recife's metro system as the city prepares to host the 2014 World Cup. The city is planning transport projects worth 1.3bn reais in preparation for the event.

Odebrecht due to complete Rio’s US$287 million cable car system by Feb 2011

The Rio Melhor consortium led by Brazilian engineering firm Construtora Norberto Odebrecht (CNO) should finish its 493mn-real (US$287mn) Complexo do Alemao cable car system in Rio de Janeiro by February, the city's engineering council (Crea-RJ) reported in a release.

After a brief halt in work due to Brazil's armed forces stand-off against local drug dealers, CNO, along with associated construction firms Construtora OAS and Delta Construçoes, have resumed work which originally started in April 2008.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to attend an inauguration ceremony at the work site on December 21, ten days before he leaves office, news service Agencia Estado reported.

THE SYSTEM

The 3.5km Complexo do Alemao cable car system is designed to transport some 30,000 passengers a day. It will consist of six stations - Bonsucesso, Morro do Adeus, Baiana, Alemao, Itarare/Alvorada and Fazendinha.

The initiative also includes roadworks, the implementation of a water supply and sewerage collection system and the deployment of a drainage system for Canitar street, according to a Rio de Janeiro state government release.

Font: Latin America Daily Posted: December 13.

Maceio to receive US$59mn for PAC II urban infrastructure

Brazil's Alagoas state capital Maceio has obtained 99mn reais (US$58.7mn) in federal funding for urban infrastructure under phase II of the country's PAC growth acceleration plan, the city's planning secretary, Marzio Delmoni, told BNamericas.

"The investments approved by the cities ministry will be used for work such as paving, road embankment improvements and sanitation," Delmoni said.

One of the main projects will involve first-stage urbanization work near the coast between the neighborhoods of Bom Parto and Riacho do Silva. It is budgeted at 55.4mn reais.

At the same time, 3.5mn reais has been approved to carry out studies for stage III urbanization work in the Vale do Reginaldo neighborhood between Moenda and Rotary avenues, according to the official.

The project will cost 120mn reais overall, of which 60mn reais corresponds to infrastructure works.

Maceio will draw up more projects to be included in PAC II, as this is only the first set of works that have been approved, said Delmoni.

The cities ministry's selection process involves analyzing project studies, prioritizing proposals and carrying out technical interviews. Selected works will be coordinated by the state infrastructure and planning departments.

The projects will be financed through the federal budget, federal unemployment insurance fund FGTS and workers' support fund FAT.

By Daniel Bland / Business News Americas

Rio-Sao Paulo bullet train may cost US$24bn - expert – Brazil

Published: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 16:14 (GMT -0400)
Brazil's Rio-Sao Paulo-Campinas bullet train project could end up costing at least 40bn reais (US$24bn), the president of Sao Paulo's association of public works contractors (Apeop) Luciano Amadio Filho told BNamericas.

Apeop and a group of companies interested in building the high-speed train are planning to present a study to the federal government by the end of February, questioning the price of the project.

The group includes engineering firms such as Cartellone, Barbosa Mello, Encalso, Tejofran, CCI, Enterpa, Equipav, Aterpa, Cerpal, Estrutural, Construbase and Azevedo & Travessos. Apeop is also in talks with Spanish and French firms interested in joining the group.

The study, carried out by consultancy firm Deloitte in association with Apeop, reveals that the project could cost 30-40% more than the 33.1bn reais stipulated in the tender, according to Amadio Filho.

The report also calls into question the projected passenger demand of the project, which has been "overrated," Amadio Filho said. The group estimates demand could be up to 50% less than projected by the government.

The group has scheduled a meeting with national development bank BNDES in February to discuss the financial aspects of the bullet train. It is also in close contact with national ground transport agency ANTT, which is overseeing the tender.

Despite technical and financial concerns about the project, the Apeop president reiterated the association's support for the bullet train, adding that the country "cannot do without" a new means of transportation.

The train project involves building a 511km railroad, including 90.9km of tunnels and 103km of bridges and overpasses. ANTT will receive bids on April 11 and is due to award the project on April 29.

Oil & Gas

2011-01-30T16:00:00.002+11:00

BG Group: Well confirms light oil offshore Brazil

BG Group PLC (UK:BG. 1,307, 0.00, 0.00%) said Thursday that a new well has confirmed light oil in the western Tupi area, offshore Brazil. The well, informally known as the Tupi W, is the eleventh on the BM-S-11 concession in the Santos Basin, roughly 275 kilometers off the cost of Rio de Janeiro State. Further testing on the well will be conducted and if those tests confirm the initial productivity data, BG Group said they will consider allocating a floating production, storage and offloading vessel to the west area of Tupi.

Petrobras needs to tap into financial markets to fund pre-salt in 2011 - analyst – Brazil

Published: Thursday, January 20, 2011 16:10 (GMT -0400)
Brazilian state-run energy major Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) will need to tap into financial markets in 2011 to raise around US$35bn to fund E&P of Brazil's prolific offshore pre-salt oil cluster, Fausto Gouveia, an economist at Legan Asset Management, told BNamericas.

"Petrobras needs extra funding for its planned investments this year. It will issue bonds and perhaps even offer shares again."

The energy giant aims to invest US$224bn over the next five years to double oil output to 3.9Mb/d by 2014, making Brazil the world's fifth largest oil producer and likely placing it among the top 10 oil exporters.

According to press reports, Petrobras launched a US$6bn bond issue on January 20. The offering includes US$2.5bn in five-year notes, US$2.5bn in 10-year notes, and US$1bn in notes maturing in 30 years.

The five-year notes were launched at 190 basis points over comparable treasuries, the 10-year notes at 195 basis points over the benchmark treasuries, and the 30-year notes at 220 basis points over treasuries, according to the reports.

BTG Pactual, Citigroup, HSBC Holdings, Itau Unibanco Holding, JP Morgan and Banco Santander are joint book runners on the deal.

In September last year, the Rio de Janeiro-based company sold some US$70bn in stocks, making the capitalization the biggest in world history.

"The risk in another share offering is to put further pressure on Petrobras' stock price. That is why I see a bond issue in a very positive way," Gouveia added.

Telecommunications

2011-01-30T15:59:00.000+11:00

MVNOs to come onboard in 2011, former communications minister says – Brazil

Published: Thursday, January 20, 2011 10:11 (GMT -0400)
Brazil could see a rise in mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) throughout 2011, with airlines, supermarkets and sports associations potentially entering the mobile phone arena, former communications minister Juarez Quadros do Nascimento told BNamericas.

After a year of deliberation, telecom regulator Anatel approved in December 2010 "flexible rules" that allow the industry to self-police on the issue of MVNOs, said Nascimento, now a partner at Brazilian consultancy Orion Consultores Associados.

MVNOs essentially lease spectrum from licensed mobile operators to provide service. After arising with the 1999 launch of Virgin Mobile in the UK, MVNOs spread to other countries from the US to India. Of the 602 MVNOs active globally at end-1Q10, 65% operated in Europe, according to consultancy Wireless Intelligence.

"The reasons for failure or success globally are distinct and depend on specifics, since MVNOs focus marketing activities on clients already within their portfolio, taking advantage of their brands and existing relationships, instead of new consumers," he said. "In Brazil, corporations with successful brands ... can be niches for MVNOs."

Nascimento mentioned airlines Gol and TAM, as well as supermarket chains Carrefour, Extra and Pao de Acucar, as potential MVNO targets. The market could ultimately yield 9.5mn clients and 1.8bn reais (US$1.08bn) in the next five years, he noted, citing a study from consultancy Signals Telecom Consulting.

"Certainly, MVNOs will be an opportunity for national carriers ceding their networks, and new virtual operators targeting specific niches," Nascimento said.

With respect to Nextel, the former minister said MVNO partners could play part of the company's business strategy as it prepares to enter the 3G market this year.

"The new mobile operator is seeking to differentiate itself in the market and win over customers from other operators, since service penetration is already very high," he said.

The success of MVNOs in Brazil could determine the sector's future in the region, Nascimento added.

"Brazil, with somewhere around 200mn cell phones at the end of 2010 and explosive demand for broadband, [and] 3G networks in more than 1,300 cities, is surely a ramp up to launching MNVOs in other Latin American countries," he said.

MVNOs to come onboard in 2011, former communications minister says - Brazil
Published: Thursday, January 20, 2011 10:11 (GMT -0400)

Automotive

2011-01-30T15:50:00.000+11:00

New Fiat Plant Coming to Brazil

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Fiat of Brazil will build a new plant in the country's northeast region, the automaker announced this week. The new plant, near Recife in the state of Pernambuco, will cost about $1.8 billion to build, will be complete in three years and will produce 200,000 units per year, Fiat said.
Planned for the plant is a new, yet-to-be-announced low-cost model designed in Brazil. The car will be aimed at both local and Latin American markets. Some 3,500 direct jobs will be created by the time the plant goes into full operation.
A cornerstone ceremony will be held later this month with the participation of outgoing Brazil President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, who turns over his post on January 1 to President-Elect Dilma Rouseff.
Fiat Group's CEO Sergio Marchionne said: "The project to be realized in Pernambuco represents a truly important step for the strategy of Fiat's international reinforcement. Brazil, where we intend to a sales volume of over 1 million vehicles yearly, is a strategic region for our expansion. Our group is also seeking to contribute to Brazil's economic, technological and industrial development, where we are present with auto making for nearly 40 years."
As an initiative of the Pernambuco state government, a training center will be built within the 1.7-square-mile site to provide human resources for the new plant.
The state of Pernambuco had a Willys-Overland/Jeep assembly plant during the 1960s. Ford also has a manufacturing plant in the northeast, where the all-terrain Troller is manufactured. The Jeep-like model was first made by Troller, all-Brazilian automaker since 1997, and then by Ford of Brazil starting in 2007.
Fiat already has a Brazilian manufacturing plant in Betim, built in 1975, and has announced investments in its Brazil facilities totaling $5.9 billion over the next five years, with the Betim plant getting $4.1 billion of that. The Betim plant will get a production boost of 150,000 vehicles per year to total nearly a million units.
The Italian automaker has been on top of the 3.4-million-plus Brazil market for the past eight years, including this year.

Studies

2011-01-30T15:40:00.000+11:00

Portuguese Course at School of Languages

The School of Languages is a specialist government school. Since 1986 the school has been teaching languages to a growing number of students from both government and non-government schools and adult learners.

The classes are held in 18 teaching centres across the Adelaide metropolitan area. All lessons are delivered after hours, usually in the 5 to 8 time slot.

Enrollments for 2011 have already started and Portuguese lessons will be held either on Mondays or Tuesdays evenings.
schooloflanguages.sa.edu.au

Events – Australia

2011-01-30T15:30:00.004+11:00

2011 Business Clean Up Day

Join the 2011 Business Clean Up Day!

When it comes to rubbish, Clean Up Australia means business. You and your staff can join the crusade against waste by registering for the 2011 Business Clean Up Day. The day is held in the same week as Clean Up Australia Day, the nation’s largest community participation event.

In 2010, over 500 businesses donned their Clean Up gloves and removed hundreds of tonnes of rubbish, fighting waste in their workplaces and beyond. The date for the 2011 Business Clean Up Day is Tuesday, 1st March 2011 and we are hoping to make this the biggest event yet!

Businesses can either organise their own Clean Up Site or demonstrate their commitment to the Cleaning Up the environment by becoming a Business Supporter. Also, Clean Up Australia is collecting mobile phones for recycling, so if you have any old phones, let us know!

Please visit our website for more information cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or contact Annie Thompson, Business Project Officer, annie@cleanup.org.au or call 02 8197 3413

OS MUTANTES AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2011

Brazil’s legendary psychedelic band, founding members of 1960’s Tropicália movement and godfathers of indie music, have today announced that they will be bringing their highly influential, genre bending collage of sounds to Australia for the very first time in March 2011.

Wednesday, March 9

Sydney - Enmore Theatre
Also with Richard In Your Mind

Tix via ticketek.com

Friday, March 11

Melbourne The Forum

Also with Otouto

Tix via ticketmaster.com.au

For enquiries contact:

Jo Gray | Popfrenzy Tours & Events Manager | jo@popfrenzy.com.au

WIND ENERGY LATAM 2011

Jan 31 to Feb 02 | Rio de Janeiro | SulAmérica
Convention Center
The Wind Energy LatAm 2010 is the first regional meeting to put the market for wind power generation in parallel to other sources of power generation on the continent. Only here you will find the top Generation, Engineering and Construction of the wind market alongside government and the main representatives of the energy supply of Latin America.
Why join the Wind Energy LatAm 2011?

Solve the regulatory issues and dissolve government barriers of wind generation in Latin America;

Update yourself on private investment, fundraising and financing for wind power on the continent;

Check out the cutting edge of engineering technology, construction and projects for wind power generation;

Interact with key government officials and executives from Latin American wind power chain.

By participating in the Wind Energy LatAm 2011, you'll be face to face with key decision makers in the Latin American market of wind power and participate in business roundtables focused on building partnerships and opportunities for the development of wind power generation on the continent.
Event website: windenergylatam.com

Australian Shoe Fair - Sydney

Date: 11-FEB-11 to 13-FEB-11
Australian Shoe Fair - Sydney is Australia's newest independent trade fair for the footwear industry. The Australian Shoe Fair has been developed as a result of demand from suppliers and industry stakeholders for a high quality, industry operated and truly independent footwear fair for the Australian market.
Venue: Sydney Trade Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Urban Transport World Australia

Date: 22-FEB-11 to 24-FEB-11
Urban Transport World Australia conference is scheduled for 22nd-24th February, 2011 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Australia. The 3rd Annual Urban Transport World Australia summit is a perfect platform for transport sector of Australian market, the summit will focus on rail projects, road projects and urban transport strategies.
The three day conference will focus on areas like transport policies & strategies, future perspectives of rail sector and other associated areas.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition

Date: 23-FEB-11 to 25-FEB-11
The Australasian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference (AOG), has been the major Australasian oil and gas industry event staged in the wealthy petroleum city of Perth, Western Australia every two years for over a quarter of a century.
Venue: Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Australian Construction Equipment Expo

Date: 24-FEB-11 to 26-FEB-11
Australian Construction Equipment Expo is the leading trade event in the country for the earthmoving, civil contracting and quarry industries. It is held biennially in Victoria and showcases the latest equipment, services and technology for these industries. It also attracts visitors from the demolition, farming, forestry, mining, road construction, hire & rental and government sectors.
Venue: Sandown Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Events – Brazil

2011-01-30T15:20:00.003+11:00

17th Latin Upstream Oil week 2011Rio de Janeiro

17th LATIN OIL WEEK
A key event for the Latin American Continent, focused on the exploration industry, gas-LNG and GTL

Hosted By Global Pacific Partners
Date 25-27 May 2011
Venue Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

17th Annual Latin Oil & Gas Week 2010 Conference, takes place 25th – 27th May 2011 at the Sheraton Rio Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Latin Oil & Gas Week will bring together key Super-Majors, Independents, Government and National Oil Company senior executives to interface, network and negotiate deals, whilst showcasing leading State players worldwide.

Latin Oil Week 2011 is a key event for the Latin American Continent, focused on the exploration industry, gas-LNG and GTL - with Speakers from Latin America and worldwide on competition, National Oil Companies, strategy and portfolio, new ventures, new hydrocarbon potential, regional risks and management issues, integration in energy markets, domestic and cross-border oil and gas ventures, Independents, basins and acreage, new Bid Rounds, competitor strategies, and the future of Latin American and Caribbean hydrocarbons.

Program Focus

Latin American Landscapes: Upstream & Exploration Game
Key Influences In Latin Hydrocarbons
Latin Gas-LNG and GTL Ventures
Government Strategies, Acreage & Assets
Licensing Agencies
Reserve & Production Outlook
Mature Exploration Zones
Heavy Oil & EOR Potential
Deepwater Potential & New Frontiers
Caribbean States & Central Latin America
Southern Cone Gas
Hydrocarbon Frontier States: New Plays & Opportunities
Latin Giants: Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico
Minnows, Independents & Super-Majors Active In The Region
Foreign State Players Taking Acreage & Joint Venture Positioning
Emerging Players â?? Local and Global Players

Confirmed Speakers

Carlos Delius
President, Bolivian Chamber of Hydrocarbons
Carlos Morales Gil
Chief Executive Officer, E, Pemex E
Christopher Smith
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil Natural Gas, US Department of Energy
Daniel Saba
Chairman of The Board, Perupetro
Dr Armando Zamora
Director General, ANH, Colombia
Dr Duncan Clarke
Chairman CEO, Global Pacific Partners
Eloi Fernandez y Fernandez
Executive Director, ONIP
Gonzalez Neuman
Executive Secretary. ARPEL
Hugo Repsold Jr
E Strategy Portfolio Manager, Petrobras
James Deckelman
Director, Latin America Exloration, ConocoPhillips**
Jeff Collins
Director, Corporate Development, Gran Tierra Energy
Kjetil Solbraekke
Chief Executive Officer, Panoro Energy
Magda de Regina Chambriard
Director, Agencia Nacional de Petroleo, Brasil
Marcio Rocha Mello
Chief Executive Officer, HRT Oil Gas Ltd
Max Brouwers
Exploration Manager Brazil, Shell
Max Rolla
Vice President, Exploration, Petrodorado
Oswaldo Antunes Pedrosa
President, ABPIP
Richard Gonzalez
President CEO, Petro-Victory LLC
Steven J. Benedetti
Vice President, South America, PetroVista Energy
Thore Kristiansen
Senior Vice President, Atlantic, Statoil
Wim Dwarkasing
Deputy Director Exploration Petroleum Contracts, Staatsolie

Download Brochure // Register Online

Events

17th Latin Upstream
26th -27th May 2011
Sheraton Rio Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

7th Latin Petroleum: Strategy Briefing
25th May 2011
Sheraton Rio Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Registration

www.latin-oilweek.com

Contact

Babette van Gessel
babette@glopac.com

Sonika Greyvenstein
sonika@glopac.com

Real Estate Investment World Brazil

Date: 02-FEB-11 to 04-FEB-11
Real Estate Investment World Brazil annual trade exhibition for the International & Middle East property market, offers buyers and investors a unique platform to screen, evaluate and finalize some of the best deals available in this booming city.
Venue: TBA, Sao Paulo, Brazil

ABCC – Forthcoming Events

2010-11-15T11:00:00.000+11:00

Sporting events business mission to Brazil 21 – 26 November 2010

The ABCC in conjunction with ALABC, AISES and Austrade is conducting a business mission to Brazil from 20 to 26 November 2010 to target business opportunities arising from the 2014 Football World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Brazil is focussed on leveraging both events to deliver long-term results for the country in the areas of infrastructure, sustainability, urban development and venue legacy.
For more information and to register contact: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au

ABCC – Karoon Gas Christmas Cocktail – 17th November 2010

The ABCC and Karoon Gas are hosting a cocktail to celebrate the end of 201o and would like to invite our members and friend to take part.

Details are:
Date: Wednesday, 17th November
Time: From 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Venue: CQ Lanai Bar
113 Queen St, Melbourne
Cost: (includes cocktail foods and wine, beverages)
ABCC Members: Free of Charge
Non-Members: $40.00
Dress Code: Business Attire

To register, please fill in this form and send to: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au or fax us on: (02) 9908 5826.

Brazil Film Festival 2010

BRISBANE 18 – 21 November
The Tribal Theatre

Following the success of its first edition in Sydney last year, Brazil Film Festival is coming to Melbourne and Brisbane for the first time this year. The exciting program delivers four feature films and a selection of short films fresh from Brazil and never screened in Australia before. Prepare to be delighted with our vibrant cinematic snapshots of Brazil.

OPENING NIGHT FILM

Lula, the Son of Brazil ( Lula, o Filho do Brasil, 2009, 128 mins)

Directed by Fábio Barreto, with Glória Pires, Cléo Pires, Juliana Baroni, Milhem Cortaz, and Ricardo Dias.
Based on the homonym biography by Denise Paraná on Brazil’s hugely popular president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, portraying his early years, this film by Fábio Barreto (O Quatrilho) is one of the most expensive ever made in the country. Although the film was independently funded it has raised quite a few eyebrows in Brazil where it was coincidentally released on election year and then picked to represent the country as a candidate for Best Foreign Language Film in the 2011 Academy Awards just 10 days before the federal elections. Politics aside, this is the improbable real story of a shoeshine boy who became president and a trajectory that is no different to that of millions of Brazilians when it comes to their extraordinary capacity to overcome difficulties.
Pre-movie Live music entertainment and cocktail @ foyer
Afterparty 'Brazilian theme' @ O'Maley's in the Queen St. Mall

Friday 19th of November 7pm
Pachamama (2010, 105 mins)

Directed by Eryk Rocha
Recipient of multiple awards and directed by Glauber Rocha’s son, Eryk Rocha, Pachamama tells the story of the director's journey through the Brazilian Amazon rainforest on his way to Peru and Bolivia, where he encounters the reality of people historically cut-off from the political process of their own country and that, for the first time, are attempting to have a say in the outcome of their own fate. The title of the film, Pachamama, is a word that means “Mother Earth” to certain groups of Native Americans, and refers to the bucolic goddess of the rural workers. A meditative film that also reveals social movements and moments often obscured from outsiders.
This screening will be preceded by a selection of short films.
Best documentary – Cineport Festival 2009
Festival de Nuevo Cine Havana 2009 (official selection)
Latin American Film Festival at Los Angeles (official Selection)

Saturday 20th of November - 7pm
DZI Croquettes (2010, 110 mins)

Directed by Tatiana Issa and Raphael Alvarez
Brazil’s most internationally awarded documentary in history tells the journey of the group Dzi Croquettes in the early 70´s. The Dzi Croquettes were an infamous Brazilian dance-theatre group at the heart of the 1960s Tropicália cultural movement and used imagination, irony, and humour to confront Brazil’s violent dictatorship - and in the process revolutionized the nation’s gay rights movement and changed the language of theatre and dance for a generation. This star-studded film features testimonials not only by some of the greatest names in Brazilian entertainment but also by Liza Minnelli, the croquettes’ ‘godmother’ herself! Not to be missed...

Winner of 11 awards including:
Best Documentary – Rio International Film Festival 2009
Best Documentary – Sao Paulo International Film Festival
Best Documentary – Toronto GLBT International Film Festival 2010

Official Selection:
Frameline International GLBT Film Festival 2010
Tribeca Film Doc Series 2010

CLOSING NIGHT FILM - Sunday 21st of November 6:30pm
Love Stories Last Only 90 Minutes ( Histórias de Amor Duram Apenas 90 Minutos, 2010, 93 mins)
Directed by Paulo Halm, with Caio Blat, Maria Ribeiro, Luz Cipriota, Daniel Dantas and Hugo Carvana.
Accomplished screenwriter Paulo Halm’s (The Battle of Canudos, Two Lost on a Dirty Night) debut feature is an unpretentious sexy comedy about thirty somethings in bohemian Rio. Zeca is a young writer living in Lapa. He has spent years writing a novel he just can’t seem to finish and gets by on handouts from his family and lives a strained relationship with beautiful and successful wife Julia. Everything seems to change, though, when he starts to suspect that Julia is cheating on him with a sensual and flirtatious Argentinean woman, Carol. Will this be enough to shake Zeca out of his writer’s block?
This screening will be preceded by a selection of short films.
After party at Casablanca 52 Petrie Tce. Paddington. Live entertainment and shows

Best Feature – Santa Maria Luso-Brazilian Festival 2009
Best Actor – FestCine Goiania 2009
Best Sound Design – FestCine Goiania 2009

Tickets
Tickets are being sold online through Moshtix and at the festival´s website.
For more information please contact:
claudio.climaco@brazilfilmfestival.com.au

ABCC - Feed Back on Events

2010-11-15T10:50:00.000+11:00

South Australia’s Eyes on Brazil

On 28th October 2010, the South Australian Chapter of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Exporters’ Club to present the Eyes on Brazil Technology Forum.

Seventy delegates from the private sector, industry and trade organisations, education and government sectors attended the forum and heard about four technology sectors in Brazil and the opportunities for Australian firms, specifically Renewable Energy, ITC, Health Businesses, and Resource Technologies.

Delegates gained valuable insights into doing business with Brazil through the experiences of technology companies currently trading or doing business in Brazil. They also heard about the range of trade and facilitation services offered through Austrade, the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce and the Exporters’ Club.

The Honorary Consul of Brazil, Mr William Frogley officially opened the forum and congratulated the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce and the Exporters’ Club for organising the event. Bob Shepard (General Manager of the Exporters’ Club) provided insight into Brazil’s significance as one of the four BRIC nations and outlined similarities between Brazil and Australia’s trade environment.

Richard Hancock who heads up the South Australian Chapter of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce, thanked major sponsors Carnegie Mellon University and Jetset Norwood, before discussing the improved economic and political conditions that characterise Brazil and which serve to attract investment. Richard also discussed the massive infrastructure spend planed for the World Cup and Rio Olympics and the opportunities this presents for Australian companies.

The ITC sector was represented by Aliomar Galvão (Softex Recife) who outlined the size and extent of ITC in Brazil. Brazil has an ambitious target to become the world’s 4th largest market by 2020, which will necessitate partnerships with foreign companies to complement Brazil’s capabilities. Aliomar invited Australian companies to explore collaborative opportunities with Softex in areas of research, technology development and business. During his presentation, Aliomar was kindly assisted by the interpreter Christian Schmidt.

Daniel Tejera and Nigel Baker from Pacific Hydro gave an account of clean energy markets in Brazil and discussed the economic drivers that underpinned Pacific Hydro’s expansion of wind farm operations into Brazil. Daniel and Nigel outlined Pacific Hydro’s projects in North East Brazil and explained how growth prospects continue on the back of forecast energy demand and Government emphasis on more diverse clean energy supplies.

Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific) spoke about the size and breadth of resources sector in Brazil, and Thermo Fisher’s activities in provision of analytical technologies for mineral processing plants across Brazil. In addition to some personal observations about Brazil, Tim provided some important messages for companies contemplating doing business in Brazil, including getting to know the people, developing long term commitments, and understanding futebol!

Patricia Moessinger, representing Austrade, spoke about cleantech in Brazil which has the world’s third largest cleantech investment spend, particularly across energy, water and waste sectors. Patricia spoke of the plentiful opportunities for Australian companies in fields of instrumentation, monitoring and measurement, green buildings, and biotechnology.

Jairo Kerr Azevedo, CE of Opto Global (Aust) gave an account of the Brazilian medical devices sector, which is the 8th largest medical devices market in the world. Jairo explained that the sector is projected to grow by 14.5% in the next 3 years due largely to the expanding middle class and increased access to medical treatment, coupled with substantial government support for investment in technology innovation. Capitalising on this growth, Opto Global has developed parterships with Brazil’s Opto Electronica, which Jairo explained is underpinned with key principles around product distribution and co-development projects for new technologies.

Fabio De Conto (Exporters’ Club) reinforced the unique role that the Exporters’ Club and ABCC have in developing partnerships between Australian and Brazilian companies and formally closed the Eyes on Brazil Technology Forum thanking all sponsors, supporters, guest speakers and delegates.

With all the formalities aside, delegates and guests mingled over drinks and an impressive spread of Brazilian canapés. Many thanks go to Raquel De Conto for her marvellous culinary leadership, and Luciana Garcia and Juliana Bernardi for their help during the forum.

The Forum’s success is attributed to the strong relationship forged between the ABCC (SA) and the Exporters’ Club, and the valuable sponsorship of Carnegie Mellon University and Jetset Norwood. Special mention also to several corporate supporters including the City of Onkaparinga, Woodstock Wines, University College London, Austrade, and McCaul Olive Oil. Thanks also to the Master of Ceremonies, Bruno Lima who kindly welcomed all the speakers and maintained the event at an efficient pace.

On a final note, the Forum served as the formal launch of the South Australia Eyes on Brazil program – a series of events leading up to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, that will explore trade and investment opportunities for South Australian companies and organisations. Planning is already underway for next year’s event.

Richard Hancock
Director ABCC (SA)

Christian Schmidt, Aliomar Galvão (Softex Recife)

Nigel Baker & Daniel Tejera (Pacific Hydro)

Richard Hancock (Director SA ABCC), William Frogley (Hon. Brazilian Consul), Fabio De Conto (Exporters Club)

Bruno Lima

Patricia Moessinger (Austrade)

Jairo Kerr Azevedo (Opto Global)

Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

James Jancu (Carnegie Mellon University)

Helen Blakebrough & Nieccia Miller (Jetset Norwood), Richard Hancock (ABCC)

Fabio De Conto (Exporters Club), Patricia Moessinger (Austrade), Barry Salter (CITCSA), Bob Shepard (Exporters Club), Michael Blake (ALABC), Richard Hancock (ABCC).

Richard Hancock (ABCC), Jeremy Stevenson (Aequus), Lucimar Almeida Nielsen & Tim Neilson (Brazcom Imports), and Carlos Eduardo Rodrigues.

Nigel Baker & Daniel Tejera (Pacific Hydro), Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific).

Richard Hancock (ABCC) Susan Peterson (Carnegie Mellon University)

Volunteers: Juliana Bernardi, Luciana Garcia, Raquel De Conto, Goreti Bassi

Studies

2010-11-15T10:40:00.000+11:00

Open High School Announces New Portuguese Course

2000 students can’t be wrong!

The Open High School, NSW’s leading language school, which will introduce Portuguese to its impressive list of curriculum offerings in 2011. This will bring the number of languages offered by the school to thirteen and the number of individual courses to 42. The new Year 11 course will be offered to students who have already studied Portuguese in Years 9 and 10.

“This course will enable students to keep the language of their ancestors as well as being very useful professionally,” said Dr Simeao de Mesquita, the Portuguese Consul General. “I support Open High School in their introduction of this important language.”

Open High School, one of six distance education centres in NSW, is the state’s major provider of languages by distance education. Students unable to study their chosen language in their own school, whether state or private, can enrol at Open High School where 100 teachers cater for the 2000 students who enrol annually.

A feature of the school is the use of Moodle, an online learning management system used to deliver course material, quizzes, video footage and internet links. Moodle gives students the option to progress at their own pace yet with ongoing teacher support to get the most out of their studies.

“I enjoy using Moodle,” said one of the many Open High School students who accesses the site. “It makes learning easier and more enjoyable because I can do the exercises when I want to and keep in regular contact with my teacher and other class members.”

A convenient way of finding out more about the school is to visit the website at theopenhs-d.schools.nsw.edu.au

ABCC New Members

2010-11-15T10:30:00.000+11:00

The ABCC welcomes the following new members

Joanna Cunningham

Braanz Consulting

Industry Funds Management

Buller Wines

MEO Australia

Nelson Wilians Advogados Associados

Kuehne Nagel Pty Ltd

Special Article From ABCC Member

2010-11-15T10:20:00.000+11:00

Swift snares export crown

JON CONDON
29 Oct,2010 04:00 AM

SWIFT Australia has snared the agribusiness sector's first Premier of Queensland Exporter of the Year Award in a strong recognition of the broader beef industry's contribution to the State's economy and regional employment.

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, the overall winners of the annual Premier's Export Awards have tended to come from more 'fashionable' areas of business like Information Technology (IT), mining and resources

This year, however, Swift beat a stellar field including Xtrata Mt Isa Mines, Cook Australia (advanced medical technology) and Sedgman Ltd (mining engineering)

In addressing the awards audience on Thursday evening, Premier Anna Bligh said a fresh breed of companies was emerging in Queensland in meeting the major economic challenges of the new millennium.

"These businesses are innovative, dynamic, entrepreneurial and robust, and they are leading the way in global operations, finding new ways to service key industries and access markets overseas," she said.

In accepting the award, Swift Australia director and manager of sales and marketing, Jean Carlo Dilly, said the company's success had been based on a 'radical shift' from traditional methods of beef marketing and processing, which had led to a significant increase in employment and export revenue.

Since taking over the operations of Australia Meat Holdings in2007, parent company JBS Friboi has injected $66 million in capital improvements into the Beef City plant, lifting both volume and productivity.

Throughput has lifted from 865 head to I 100 head/day (5500/week), and processes have been implemented to meet the demands of new markets including halal slaughter and foreign language labeling requirements.

"Swift is proud of its export strategy, defined by ensuring that the best products and services are delivered to our customers.

That requires continual product innovation, proactive marketing and a focus on broadening market access," Mr Dilly said.

The company offered a comprehensive marketing service to customers, working with them to tailor product solutions and develop joint marketing and advertising campaigns.

An example of this was the recent installation and commissioning of Australia's first on-site intestine boiling facility at Beef City, designed in close partnership with a major overseas end-user.

The intestine products now have not only a greater value, but also an enviable reputation around the world for quality and uniformity.

Special Article

2010-11-15T10:10:00.000+11:00

Brazil’s Presidential Elections

'I'll know how to honour Lula's legacy,' Rousseff says.

Brazilian president-elect Dilma Rousseff, 62, was self-confident Sunday after victory as the country's first-ever female president who will succeed hugely popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
"The task of succeeding him is difficult and challenging. But I'll know how to honour his legacy. I'll know how to consolidate his work and build upon it," an almost tearful Rousseff said of her mentor in her first address as president-elect.
"I'll knock on his door a lot, and I'm certain that I'll always find it open," she stressed.
She was speaking to an auditorium filled with Worker Party (PT) officials.
In her speech, Rousseff highlighted her historic position as Brazil's first female president, and she expressed the hope that such a feat can be replicated in other walks of life including business.
"I would really like the fathers and mothers of girls to look today into their eyes and tell them, 'Yes, women can'!" she said.
Rousseff said her most "fundamental commitment" would be the eradication of poverty and the creation of opportunities for all.
She also expressed a commitment to economic development, despite current difficulties.
"In the short term, we will not have the pull of developed economies to boost our growth. For that reason, our own policies, our own market, our own savings and our own economic decisions become even more important," she said.
Still, Rousseff underlined her intention to remain open to the world, and to continue to demand "the end of the protectionism of rich countries, which prevents poor nations from completely fulfilling their vocations."
"In the multilateral sphere, it is necessary to establish clearer and more careful rules for the recovery of financial markets, limiting leverage and excessive speculation, which increase the volatility of capital and currencies.
"We will act firmly in international forums with that goal," she said.
Posted by Earth Times

Economy

2010-11-15T10:00:00.000+11:00

GE to spend $500 mln on Brazil

Nov 10 (Reuters) - General Electric Co(GE.N), plans to invest $500 million in Brazil to build a research center and expand its operations in Latin America's largest economy, a company executive said on Wednesday.
The largest U.S. conglomerate selected Brazil as the base for its fifth research and development center, which will focus on technological innovations in the oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, rail and aviation industries -- sectors that are growing rapidly in Brazil.
The research center will cost $100 million while the remainder of the money will be invested in developing new production lines and products over the next three years, said Ferdinando Becalli-Falco, president of GE International.
"We see (a bright) future that requires aggressive investment, which will result in more innovation coming to market," Becalli-Falco said in a statement.
Brazilian mining company Vale (VALE5.SA), the world's largest producer of iron ore, said in a separate statement it has signed a cooperation agreement with GE for development of infrastructure for generation, distribution and storage of energy.
Vale is one of Brazil's largest energy consumers and a major player in the development of infrastructure such as rail lines needed to move iron ore from isolated mines to ports. (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier, Writing by Brian Ellsworth, Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1026078920101110

Banking & Finance

2010-11-15T09:50:00.000+11:00

BRAZIL: A GLOBAL ATM PLAYER

Brazil is the fourth largest ATM market in the world after the US, China and Japan with approximately 170,000 ATMs at the end of last year.
The ATMs in Brazil are more advanced than in many developed markets and several banks in Eastern Europe are copying the process and transactional capabilities of the Brazilian banks' ATMs, said Wanderley.
"In Brazil, banks use the ATM as a relationship tool and they offer their customers a myriad of functions," added Jaques Rosenzvaig, CEO at TecBan, the operator of the Banco24Horas ATM network.
TecBan is owned by the country's largest banks, and the strategy for Banco24Horas is to install ATMs in the outskirts of urban areas at non-bank locations, such as gas stations, supermarkets, shopping centers, drug stores and subway, bus and rail stations.
Banco24Horas has 40 financial institutions as members and serves as a complement to the bank's own ATM networks, especially at off-premise locations, Rosenzvaig said. In Brazil, banks still have most of their ATMs inside the bank branch due to security concerns.
Last year Banco24Horas had 7,200 ATMs that processed 430mn transactions, and Rosenzvaig expects the network to have 11,200 ATMs and reach 600mn transactions by year-end. The company generates its revenue by charging its members a fixed price per transaction.
Banco24Horas' members can choose among more than 40 functions to offer their clients, depending on their own ATM strategies.
Rosenzvaig said TecBan helps banks to attend customers where they would normally not install their own ATMs, like the famous favela Cidade de Deus in Rio de Janeiro. The ATM became "a celebrity" due to all the press coverage that the installation in the area received, he added.

Santander expanding in Brazil

“The completion of the integration between Santander Brasil (NYSE: BSBR) - the Brazilian unit of Spain'sSantander (NYSE: STD) - and Banco Real - formerly part of Dutch group ABN Amro - is expected by February or March of 2011, Santander Brasil CEO Fabio Barbosa told a press conference, which also included the Spanish parent bank's chairman Emilio Botin, in Sao Paulo.
"Most part of the bank's services can already be done in both Santander and Real branches, and that has been going on for a while. However, some other services will be available [in both] from February or March, when we will conclude our process of integration," Barbosa said.
Through the end of November, all branches of Banco Real in Brazil will move to Santander's brand. For now, there will not be any major changes for Banco Real's clients, who will maintain their account numbers, credit cards and checks, for example.
Santander Brasil senior executive VP for retail Jose Paiva confirmed to reporters that some 120 new branches will be opened in the country this year, but avoided making forecasts for how many new branches are expected for 2011.
In 2010-13, Santander plans to open 600 new branches, chiefly in the south and southeast regions of Brazil.
BOTIN COMES TO TOWN
The Spanish parent bank's chairman Botin highlighted the importance of Brazil, which currently accounts for 25% of the group's global earnings, and pointed out that the Brazilian division received US$27bn of investments over the last 10 years.
"Brazil is a solid country with an outstanding financial system. Brazil taught the world a lesson during the crisis," Botin said.
With the integration with Banco Real, Santander now has 24mn clients, 10.6mn active accounts and a base of 36mn credit and debit cards in Brazil.”
Bnamericas.com

Mining

2010-11-15T09:40:00.000+11:00

Chinese presence in Brazil

Chinese firms are increasingly looking to build their own mining operations in Brazil, national mining association Ibram's R&D and economic data manager Antonio Lannes told BNamericas.
Up to now, Chinese firms have been involved in JVs and partnerships with local companies but Ibram recently received a Chinese delegation interested in local regulations, taxes and environmental licensing processes to begin new projects rather than buying existing operations, Lannes said.
The increase in China's foreign exchange reserves has prompted the country to look at international assets to ensure mineral and food supply, according to Lannes.
China's Wuhan Iron and Steel (Wisco), for example, acquired a 21.5% stake in Brazilian iron ore miner MMX (Bovespa: MMXM3) this year for 739mn reais (US$422mn). MMX has agreed to sell to Wisco at least 50% of the company's output from Serra Azul, part of the miner's Sudeste system. Iron ore shipments could reach 17Mt/y once the system is fully ramped up.
The acquisition of Brazilian iron ore and pig iron producer Itaminas by Chinese consortium ECE is another instance of Chinese involvement in local companies. Itaminas' iron ore mine in Minas Gerais state's Sarzedo has estimated reserves of 1.3Bt and ECE acquired the firm for US$1.2bn. The mine currently produces 3Mt/y of iron ore but this could be increased to 25Mt/y, according to press reports.
China consumes 1.3Bt/y of iron ore but it extracts no more than 350Mt/y. In 2009, China absorbed 56.4% of Brazil's iron ore production, according to Ibram's statistics.
MARKET SHARE
Chinese interest in building own operations would not pose a threat to local companies, Lannes said. Currently, the Chinese share in Brazil's iron ore output is 4-5Mt/y, a little above 1% of the annual iron ore production of 350Mt.
Over the next five years, Brazil is expected to double iron ore output to 700Mt/y and, even if Chinese companies are responsible for 15-20Mt/y of that production, it would still only account for 2-3% of national output, according to the expert.
Lannes is optimistic about foreign investment in general, and not just from China. "Investments in iron ore mining also involve considerable infrastructure projects to handle new production," he said Ibram is forecasting that US$62bn will be invested in the Brazilian mining industry through 2014. Of the total, 63.3% will be directed towards iron ore.
This year, mineral production is expected to generate US$35bn, of which US$20bn will be from iron ore mining.

Colossus Minerals Inc. Announces C$60,225,000 Bought Deal Financing

Toronto, Canada, October 25, 2010 - Colossus Minerals Inc. (TSX: CSI) (the “Company” or “Colossus”) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by GMP Securities L.P. (the “Underwriters”). The Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 7,300,000 common shares
(the “Common Shares”) of the Company, at a price of C$8.25 per Common Share (the “Offering Price”) for aggregate gross proceeds to Colossus of C$60,225,000 (the "Offering"). The Company has agreed to grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,095,000 Common Shares at the Offering Price, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering. If this option is exercised in full, an additional C$9,033,750 will be raised pursuant to the Offering and the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering will be C$69,258,750. The Common Shares will be offered by way of a short form prospectus to be filed in all of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec.
The net proceeds are intended to be used to fund expenditures on the Serra Pelada project and other exploration activities and for general working capital and corporate purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about November 16, 2010 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including the approval of the
Toronto Stock Exchange and the applicable securities regulatory authorities.
The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Source: http://www.infomine.com/index/pr/Pa943089.PDF

Information Technology

2010-11-15T09:30:00.000+11:00

QAD notching 300% year-over-year growth in Brazil

US business software provider QAD's Latin American growth so far this year is being propelled by a 300% year-over-year sales jump in Brazil, the head of the company's Chilean unit, Jorge Rios, told BNamericas.

QAD, which focuses exclusively on software implementations for the manufacturing sector, is leveraging its presence in Brazil's automotive sector. Rios said the country will represent the focal point for QAD's Latin American expansion for the foreseeable future.

Although manufacturers' IT budgets shrunk during the global economic crisis, Rios noted that the industry is on the cusp of a major technological comeback throughout South America.

"From Colombia on down, things are going very well," he said. "We have seen good growth in Peru. Argentina is filled with opportunities because of policies encouraging manufacturing growth. In Chile, there isn't as much growth, but we have maintained sales levels."

On the other hand, the situation is not as rosy in Mexico and Central America, according to the executive.

"In Central America, there is very little manufacturing. There is mostly agricultural manufacturing with very few processes," he said. "What we are seeing in Mexico is that... the market and innovation are retracting. People are waiting to see what happens. The expectations in Mexico are not very positive... There is a significant pause in Mexico."

QAD is responding to the slowdown in Mexico by pushing on-demand versions of its solutions. Rios said the technology is catching the attention of executives grappling with fluctuations in company headcount.

"It has a great advantage considering the ups and downs of the economy," he said. "You can say 'if things go poorly and we have to close the factory, I will pay for 15 users this month. But, within four months, if we are firing on all cylinders, we are going to pay for 400 users.'"

In the long term, QAD's on-demand solutions are seen accounting for 50% of Latin American revenue growth through 2015, the executive added. The company expects overall Latin American revenues to increase 13% this year.

Founded in 1979, QAD currently serves over 5,555 manufacturers in 90 countries worldwide. The company posts more than US$200mn in global revenues annually.

By Matthew Malinowski

SAP brings innovation lab network to Latin America

SAP (NYSE: SAP) has made an initial investment of 1mn euros (US$1.39mn) in a new innovation lab in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the company said in a statement.

The lab is due to open on October 27.

It will be the company's fourth global "co-innovation" lab, designed to create an environment for collaborative development between SAP and its solution partners, system integrators, technology partners and customers.

SAP's other co-innovation labs are located in Palo Alto, California; Tokyo, Japan; and Bangalore, India, with interconnected operations supported by cloud computing.

National partners involved in the project to date are Sigga and LexConsult. International partners of the SAP co-innovation lab network include Cisco, F5 Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, NetApp, VMware, and Accenture.

SAP Brasil is also hoping to grow its local partner network through the site.

"This lab is part of the overall growth strategy for SAP in Brazil, while also supporting a broader technology agenda to join expert partners and customers in encouraging the adoption of service oriented architecture (SOA)," the statement said.

Telecommunications

2010-11-15T09:20:00.000+11:00

Ciena to focus on financial sector, carriers with 100 Gbps DWDM solution

Network solutions provider Ciena Corporation (Nasdaq: CIEN) will focus on Brazil's financial sector and carriers to sell its newly introduced DWDM multiplexer capable of transmitting data speeds of 100 Gbps, Ciena's sales VP for Latin America and the Caribbean Fabio Medina, told BNamericas.
Ciena announced the availability of the solution in Brazil during the Futurecom telecoms conference held last week in Sao Paulo. The technology will be sold through local systems integrator First Tech and, according to Ciena, is the first 100 Gbps optical multiplexer available in Brazil where up to now the fastest speeds have been 10-40 Gbps.
According to Medina, today a lot more applications are sensitive to latency and milliseconds of delay can be critical for example in the case of the New York Stock Exchange, which adopted Ciena's DWDM.
"The NYSE said delay was costing them millions of dollars. If I place a purchase order to buy stock and a broker gets there a micro second before me, I lose the stock. So having less delay on the line became an economic driver to actually increase their transmission rate," Medina said.
Brazil in particular is at a critical stage when the country needs faster bit rate speeds due to support the burgeoning domestic traffic growth.
In addition, as the country prepares for the demands of the upcoming World Cup and Olympics in 2014 and 2016 respectively, Ciena's DWDM 100 Gbps is a good fit as it is capable of carrying 3D and HD images, Medina said.

Source: http://www.csann.com/submarine-telecom/south-america/106-ciena-to-focus-on-financial-sector-carriers-with-100-gbps-dwdm-solution.html

Infrastructure

2010-11-15T09:10:00.000+11:00

$18bn Rio-São Paulo bullet train ready to tender

Brazil’s federal court of auditors – the country’s highest body regulating public spending – has given the go-ahead for the tender launch of a high-speed rail line connecting Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The goal is to create a 511-kilometre rail line with trains travelling at a top speed of nearly 400 kilometres per hour between the international airports of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Campinas and at least two intermediate stops. São Paulo and Rio are the Latin American country’s first- and second-most populous cities, respectively, while Campinas is a city about 100 kilometres northwest of São Paulo.
TCU, as the audit court is known, set the project’s final cost at just over R$33 billion (€14.8 billion; $18.5 billion) – a R$1.5 billion cut from its original price of R$34.6 billion. It also set the maximum tariffs for normal and peak time fares at R$149.85 and R$199.73 respectively, to be reviewed every five years. According to TCU, the line will generate R$192.7 billion in income over its 40-year concession period.
ANTT, the country’s federal transport body, said in a statement yesterday that it expects to tender the “bullet train” project by the end of next week. It also said that a public company called ETAV will be created to hold a 33 percent stake in the special purpose vehicle to be incorporated by the winner of the tender. ETAV can contribute a maximum of 10 percent of the project’s value.
The private partner will be eligible for up to R$19.9 billion, or roughly 60 percent, of the project’s cost in public funding over the course of 30 years, ATTN said. Repayments will only kick in once the five-year construction period – from 2011 to 2016 – finishes, the agency added.
Henrique Pinto - head of project structuring at Brazilian development bank BNDES, which is expected to provide the majority of the debt for the project – said the financing package for the winning consortium should come attached with clauses demanding a review of the financing terms at years five and ten. This is to protect investors from lower than expected demand in the first ten years of the project and secure a balance between revenues and cost of financing, he said.
New York-based Shearman & Sterling and São Paulo-based Manesco Ramires Perez Azevedo Marques Advocacia are the legal advisors on the contract.

Source: http://www.infrastructureinvestor.com/Article.aspx?article=54193&hashID=2173642738762BAEC1AF53F1309DFCABB8F8FB1B

Infraero launches $27 million tender for Salvador airport

Brazil's national airport authority Infraero has launched a 45.1mn-real (US$26.9mn) tender to expand and improve the Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhaes international airport in Bahia state capital Salvador.
The project involves work such as remodeling the passenger terminal, implementing passenger transport systems, renovating the airport apron and parking garage and improving access roads.
Proposals will be opened December 2, according to a tender notice published on Infraero's website.
The work is part Salvador's infrastructure improvement plan to prepare for hosting the 2014 World Cup.
BNamericas

Oil & Gas

2010-11-15T09:00:00.000+11:00

Tuscany International Drilling Announces Contracts With HRT Oil and Gas, Provides Update on Other Contracts, New Rig Deployment and US$30 Million Loan Drawdown Under Existing Credit Facility

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 3, 2010) -
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY UNITED STATES NEWS SERVICES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.
Tuscany International Drilling Inc. (TSX:TID) ("Tuscany" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed two contracts with HRT Oil and Gas ("HRT"). Under the contracts with HRT, Tuscany will provide two 1500 hp heliportable drilling rigs in Brazil, beginning operations in the first quarter of 2011. The term of the contracts is four years with an option to renew. The contracts have the potential to generate over $100 million of revenue over the initial term of the contracts.
Tuscany is pleased to be a key drilling rig provider to HRT, who recently concluded a successful initial public offering. The contracts with HRT represent Tuscany's entry into Brazil and the Company has opened operational and administrative offices in Rio de Janeiro and Manaus in order to support operations and services in the country.
A drilling contract has also been signed with a Peruvian affiliate of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. to provide a heliportable rig in Peru, which marks Tuscany's entry into Peru. In addition, a number of contracts have been signed in Tuscany's existing operating areas of Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana.
Of the eight newly constructed rigs remaining to be deployed to South America, four have been shipped and are currently unloading in ports in South America. Three are unloading in Santa Marta, Colombia and the fourth rig is unloading in Callou, Peru. A fifth newly built rig has been transported from Red Deer, Alberta to Houston, Texas and is scheduled to be shipped to South America on November 6, 2010 and a sixth newly built rig is scheduled to be loaded and trucked from Red Deer to Houston on November 8, 2010 and shipped to South America in mid November 2010. The two remaining rigs, destined for Brazil, are anticipated to complete construction in November 2010 and be transported immediately upon completion.
Tuscany currently has nine rigs operational in South America. The Company plans to have its current fleet of 17 rigs completely operational in South America in January 2011 with nine rigs in Colombia, four in Ecuador, two in Brazil, one in Peru and one in Guyana.
In addition, the Company has drawn an additional US$30 million loan under its existing senior secured guaranteed term credit facility with Credit Suisse, who is acting as one of the lenders and as the Administrative Agent. US$45 million remains available to be drawn under the facility, subject to the Company complying with certain conditions. In consideration for underwriting the upsize of the facility, Tuscany granted Credit Suisse and another underwriter the aggregate of 2,400,000 share purchase warrants. The warrants are exercisable at US$1.50 per warrant, expire 2.5 years from the date of grant and are subject to a hold period expiring on March 3, 2011. Loan proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes including short term working capital as the rig fleet is deployed, initial costs associated with the expansion into Brazil and Peru, upgrades to existing equipment, and for completion and deployment of the two 1,500 hp drilling rigs destined for Brazil.

Source: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Tuscany-International-Drilling-Announces-Contracts-With-HRT-Oil-Gas-Provides-Update-TSX-TID-1346310.htm

Petrobras CEO Says Will Add 20 Foreign Rigs by 2012

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Brazil’s state-controlled oil company, said it’s leased 20 foreign drilling rigs to begin operation in the next two years as it seeks to boost oil and gas output at offshore fields.
Domestic shipyards will also start delivering the first of an additional 28 rigs to be built in Brazil by about 2014, Petrobras Chief Executive Jose Sergio Gabrielli said today at an event in Rio de Janeiro. Environmental permits have complicated the contracts to build the rigs locally, he said.
Petrobras, based in Rio de Janeiro, is contracting rigs from overseas oil-services providers to help tap offshore deposits such as Libra and Tupi, the largest discoveries in the Western Hemisphere in the past three decades. Brazilian government regulations also dictate that the state-owned company should prioritize some purchases from local suppliers.
Oslo-based Seadrill Ltd, which supplies Petrobras, rose 84 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $33.64 at 2:12 p.m. New York time. Four of Seadrill’s 11 deepwater rigs were located in Brazil in the third quarter, according to the company’s website.
Petrobras has contracted 18 rigs to be delivered in 2011 and 2012, and may have to hire more to compensate for potential construction delays in Brazil, according to Jud Bailey, an analyst who covers oil drillers at Jefferies & Co. in Houston.
‘Bridge the Gap’
It is “very unlikely” local suppliers will deliver the 28 rigs in the next three-to-seven years that Petrobras is expecting, Bailey said today in a telephone interview.
“There’s been a lot of talk that they would come out and tender for incremental rigs in 2011 and 2012,” he said. “They could contract them to bridge the gap.”
Petrobras will probably be unable to receive the rigs it needs in Brazil until 2015 because of the lack of existing infrastructure, Pride International Inc Vice President Kevin Robert said in a Nov 4 conference call with investors. Pride rents deepwater rigs to Petrobras, which may need to tap international contractors further, he said.
Brazil holds the largest oil discoveries in the Americas since 1976, and Petrobras plans to invest $224 billion in the five years through 2014 to boost oil production and refining. Gabrielli said Petrobras will get the rigs on time and meet its long-term production targets.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-09/petrobras-to-add-20-foreign-oil-drill-rigs-by-2012-ceo-says.html

Events – Australia

2010-11-15T08:50:00.000+11:00

Fire Australia Conference & Exhibition
Date: 10-NOV-10 to 12-NOV-10
Fire Australia Conference & Exhibition is Australia's Leading Trade fair for Industrial Goods. Fire Australia Conference & Exhibition will be held at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia. , Anti-Terrorist and Custom Equipment, Ambulance, First Aid and EMS Equipment, Biometry will be targeting Professionals related to the field of fire departments, investigation & protection agencies, security & safety products manufacturers & suppliers.
Venue: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
WAMEX MINING & ENGINEERING EXPO
Date: 10-NOV-10 to 12-NOV-10
WAMEX Mining Expo 2010 is the world class event which will provide the business with the opportunity to meet thousands of genuine major decision-makers from the growing WA Mining and engineering industry, along with national and international visitors.
Venue: Claremont Showgrounds, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show-Sydney
Date: 13-NOV-10 to 14-NOV-10
100+ Exhibitors providing food and products to help those with Coeliac Disease, a gluten intolerance or looking for a healthier lifestyle. The Coles Cooking Stage provides top name chefs cooking up a gluten free storm. Seminar Theatres both inform and entertain. This is the only Healthy Food Show to attend.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
FinTech World Australia
Date: 16-NOV-10 to 18-NOV-10
FinTech World Australia 2010 is the only dedicated industry wide financial services event in Australia for senior IT professionals. It brings together CIOs, CEOs and COOs from leading financial organizations to identify how technology can assist in driving revenue growth and profitability within their businesses.
Venue: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Australian International Sourcing Fair
Date: 17-NOV-10 to 19-NOV-10
Australian International Sourcing Fair-AISF is aims to serve as the sourcing and supplychain management and promote the know how, production capabilities and abilities of manufactures and suppliers in the Australasian region. The vent will be held between 17-19 Nov 2010 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Ausrail Plus Conference & Exhibition
Date: 23-NOV-10 to 24-NOV-10
Ausrail 2010 is a trade fair devoted entirely to railways, railway transport and the role of the railway in society. This is where people come to discuss issues concerning the future, to examine innovations, make contacts, do business, acquire knowledge, and of course meet colleagues.
Venue: Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Private Banking & Wealth Management Australia
Date: 23-NOV-10 to 24-NOV-10
Private Banking & Wealth Management Australia will bring together private banks, wealth managers, financial advisors, dealer groups and platform providers to discuss the changes the economic down turn has forced upon the industry. The event is dedicated to providing contacts and solutions to prepare the industry for growth. A conference also will be held during the exhibition.
Venue: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Events – Brazil

2010-11-15T08:40:00.000+11:00

Soccerex Global Convention
Date: 20-NOV-10 to 24-NOV-10
Soccerex Global Convention is now in its 15th edition and has firmly established itself as the only global convention dedicated to the professional b2b football environment. By providing a unique platform for delegates and exhibitors to learn, network and dobusiness with the football industry's finest, Soccerex has become a 'must-attend' event in the football calendar - and after a successful decade of bringing the football world together, Soccerex moves onto its fourth continent.
Venue: Rio de Janeiro Convention Center, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Couromoda
Date: 17-JAN-11 to 20-JAN-11
Couromoda, International Shoes, Sportsgoods and Leathergoods Fair ranks third worldwide and it is Latin America specialized leading trade fair. It is the most importantbusiness and launchings event of the footwear and leathergoods industry; and the most patronized and representative fair of the sector.
Venue: TBA, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Premiere Vision-Brazil
Date: 19-JAN-11 to 20-JAN-11
Held Int Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Premiere Vision-Brazil is transited itself into Brazil's one of the biggest event on Fabrics & Textiles sector. It is aimed towards displaying fabrics, fabrics for woman's wear, men's wear and children wear, laces. The venue becomes hub of pioneer exhibitors from different parts of the world which give a view of environment & cleaning technologies, urban utilities & services.
Venue: Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil

ABCC – Forthcoming Events

2010-09-27T10:55:00.018+10:00

ABCC South Australia “Eyes on Brazil” Program

The ABCC is hosting this month in Adelaide the "Eyes on Brazil" Forum focussing on trade and investment opportunities in Brazil across a range of technology sectors (ICT, Clean Tech, Resources Technologies and Health).
"Eyes on Brazil" is co-hosted with Onkaparinga Exporters' Club, proudly sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University and Jetset Norwood and supported by:
JBS Swift, Austrade, UCL School of Energy and Resources, Onkaparinga Council and Woodstock.

Details are:

Date: Thursday 28 October 2010
Time: 3.00pm - 7.00pm
Venue: Carnegie Mellon University
Torrens Building
220 Victoria Square, Adelaide
Cost: $30.00 (individual)
$20.00 (ABCC and Exporter's Club members and students)

Forum Program:

3.00 - Registrations
3.30 - Opening Remarks (Richard Hancock - ABCC and Bob Shepard - Exporters Club)
3.30 to 6.00 -Presentations:
Eyes on Brazil - William Frogley, Honorary Consul, Brazilian Consulate
ITC Sector in Brazil - Aliomar Galvão (Softex Recife, Brazil)
CleanTech Sector in Brazil - Nigel Baker, Daniel Tejera (Pacific Hydro)
Resources Technology in Brazil - Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Health Businesses – Global Partnerships - Jairo Kerr Azevedo (Opto Global)
Government Programs and Assistance - Patricia Moessinger (Austrade)
Closing Remarks - Fabio de Conto (Exporters Club)
6.00 to 7.00 - Networking, drinks and canapés

To RSVP, please fill in this form and send to: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au or by fax to: (02) 9908 5826.
For further information you may call the ABCC on: (02) 9909 0987 or contact the ABCC SA director, Richard Hancock on: 0401 125432

Sporting events business mission to Brazil 21 – 26 November 2010

Brazil Film Festival 2010: Do not miss the Brazilian film festival in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne starting on 20th October

Cities
Sydney – 20 – 24 October 2010
Melbourne – 27 – 30 October 2010
Brisbane – 18 – 21 November 2010

Feature Films

“Embarque Imediato” (Now Boarding)
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2009
Duration: 86 min.

“Pachamama”
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2010
Duration: 105 min.

“Dzi Croquettes”
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2010
Duration: 110 min.

“Histórias de Amor Duram Apenas 90 Minutos” (Love Stories Last Only 90 Minutes)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Year: 2010
Duration: 93 min.

“Lula, O Filho do Brasil” (Lula, The Son of Brazil)
Genre: Drama
Year: 2010
Duration: 128 min.

Tickets:
Ticket will be sold through Moshtix, at the venues (Dendy, Nova and Tribal) and online at the festival´s website.
Find out more about Brazil Film Festival at brazilfilmfestival.com.au

ALABC Dinner - The Westin Hotel, Sydney: Do not miss the Australia-Latin America Business Council Dinner with the presentation of the Latin American Business Awards.

Date: 20th October 2010

Time: From 6pm to midnight

Registrations: Contact Claire Oxlade on marketing@alabc.com.au to book a corporate table or buy tickets

Portuguese for Foreigners at Accendo Education

Accendo Education, in North Sydney, is offering a "Portuguese for Foreigners" course. The current edition is starting on Monday 11/10/10 evening. The format is 4 hours per week, on Monday and Wednesday, from 18:30 to 20:30.
Accendo targets those with Brazilian partners, professionals working for companies exposed to the Brazilian market and people in general interested in learning Portuguese for fun and friendship.
Form more information contact Accendo on: admin@accendo-edu.com

Feed Back on Eyes on Brazil seminar with Macquarie, 1st October 2010

The ABCC co-hosted a successful briefing with Macquarie Group with special guest and speaker from Brazil Ronaldo Veirano (Honorary Consul for Australia in Rio and Founder/Senior Partner at Veirano Attorneys) and Cesar Farfan (Associate Director, Macquarie Global Investments) who delivered informative and positive presentations on the economic, legal and political aspects of doing business with and investing in Brazil highlighting sectors of opportunities for investors and fund managers.

ABCC New Members

2010-09-27T10:50:00.000+10:00

The ABCC welcomes the following new members

Dry-Treat Pty Ltd

Alltax Consulting Group

Commodities

2010-09-27T10:45:00.002+10:00

Sudan signs $500 mln deals with Brazil-sugar exec

KHARTOUM, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Sudanese companies signed up to $500 million worth of deals with Brazilian agricultural, construction and engineering groups, the head of the African state's biggest sugar company said on Sunday.
Africa's largest country, shut out of the U.S. market by harsh sanctions, has been expanding its trade with China, India, Brazil and the Middle East while trying to diversify its economy away from its main export, oil.
Mohamed El Mardi, managing director of Kenana Sugar Company, told Reuters that Sudanese companies accompanying a Khartoum government delegation to Brasilia signed scores of initial agreements, many of them funded with Brazilian credit.
Kenana signed two deals with Brazil's Dedini to provide machinery and equipment to double the size of Kenana's ethanol plant in Sudan and to set up a new biodiesel operation, he said after returning from the trip, without going into further detail.
"There were not less that $300 million of initial agreements made. When you factor on the infrastructure deals, the figure could go up to $500 million," he said speaking briefly at Khartoum airport after returning from the trip.
"There are lots of synergies between Sudan and Brazil which also focuses on sugar as a leader of agro-industry. Brazil has a very ambitious export credit programme. They are offering very soft finance."
Sudan's Giad engineering company also secured a number of deals on the visit led by the country's industry minister, Mardi said, adding it was too early to go into details about the value of the specific agreements.
Dedini provided equipment for Kenana's existing ethanol factory, the first one in Sudan, which exported its first 5 million litres (1.3 million gallons) of ethanol to the European Union in December.
Sugar is a key commodity in Sudan, where the population is sensitive to price hikes. The country, which hopes to be a sugar exporter by 2014, currently has to import to cover domestic consumption of 1.2 million tonnes a year.
The United States stepped up sanctions against in Sudan in 1997, accusing the government of human rights abuses and supporting terrorism, then tightened the restrictions further in 2006 over the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.

Source: reuters.com

Mining

2010-09-27T10:40:00.003+10:00

Valuable Vale

Few firms have achieved so much with so little fanfare. But can Vale mine anything other than iron ore?

IT IS perhaps the biggest firm you have never heard of. The Boston Consulting Group says it has created more value than any other large firm in the world over the past decade. Yet few people know how to pronounce Vale’s name (it’s “vah-lay”).
This giant Brazilian miner has stayed out of the spotlight even as ravenous demand from China has propelled it from insignificance ten years ago to a market capitalisation of $147 billion. It is now the world’s second-largest miner: smaller than BHP Billiton, but bigger than Rio Tinto and other better-known rivals.
That Vale has kept its success quiet is partly an accident of history. It is not the product of a headline-grabbing mega-merger. Rather, it was a staid state-owned firm until it was privatised in 1997. It hatched plans to build itself into a big, diversified mining company only in 2001.
However, it has not yet diversified much beyond iron ore or its home country. It is by far the world’s biggest producer of iron ore, digging up some 230m tonnes of the stuff in 2009 (a weight roughly equivalent to 1,000 of the statues of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro—every day). Rio Tinto, the number two iron-ore producer, extracts a mere 172m tonnes annually.
Vale relies on iron ore for 65% of its revenues. Other mining giants spread their risks across multiple commodities and a variety of safe and hazardous countries. Vale, by contrast, mines mainly in Brazil.
Its ambitions to broaden its interests beyond Brazilian iron ore face two obstacles. Does it have the ability? And does it have permission? According to Rene Kleyweg of UBS, a Swiss bank, Vale has yet to prove that it can operate as a diversified miner. And its relationship with Brazil’s government, which would prefer it to invest at home, is both tricky and unclear.
Iron ore is largely a logistics business. It is easy to extract, bulky and relatively cheap. The trick is to transport vast quantities around the globe quickly. At this, Vale excels. The firm owns about 10,000km (6,200 miles) of railways, nine ports and a huge fleet of ships.
Vale wants to expand its iron-ore business, a vast cash-generating machine, in Brazil and farther afield, in Guinea-Conakry. Rodolfo De Angele of JPMorgan Chase, a bank, predicts that in ten years’ time Vale will still be mainly an iron-ore firm. But despite that wonderful substance’s attractions, Vale aims to shuffle its assets to offer a greater variety of minerals to commodity-craving emerging markets.
In May it sold its aluminium business to Norway’s Norsk Hydro, for a mix of cash and equity. Aluminium requires lots of expensive electricity to produce. Also, there is no shortage of it in China, which tarnishes its allure. Vale has plans for organic expansion in nickel, copper, coal and potash. Demand for all of these minerals is likely to surge as poor countries get rich.
Critics carp that Vale’s ventures in copper and nickel have not been wholly successful. In 2007 it spent $19.4 billion on Inco, a Canadian nickel producer. Its Brazilian managers irritated its new Canadian employees. A year-long strike over pay and pensions by 3,000 workers ended only in July. A nickel investment under way at Goro in New Caledonia may show whether Vale has the skills to manage a big, technically demanding mining project.
If Vale’s foreign ventures go poorly, that may not worry Brazil’s government. Many in the industry claim that Vale’s shareholding structure gives Brazil’s president (currently Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva) the power to force Vale to invest and create jobs at home. But some of the pension funds and investment companies that hold big stakes in Vale will not like this at all. They care about returns, not economic nationalism. In theory it is shareholders who control Vale and the government owns only 5.4% of the shares.
However, Lula exerts pressure on the firm behind closed doors and through the media. A future president could do the same. The royalties Vale pays to the government for mining in Brazil are modest, but a new mining code under discussion will probably bump them up after the presidential election next month. The ultimate sanction—renationalisation—is extremely unlikely. That said, displeasure in Brasilia may have nudged Vale into ending negotiations to take over Xstrata, a Swiss mining firm, in 2008. But Vale rejects suggestions that a government “golden share” gives it the power to block deals.
Vale’s decision to sell its aluminium business and to order a fleet of enormous ships from China has annoyed the Brazilian government, which is trying to revive Brazil’s shipbuilding industry. The firm points out, not unreasonably, that it has to buy Chinese ships because Brazilian shipbuilders are incapable of making vessels that are big enough for its needs. It has half-acquiesced to Lula’s pleas that it invest in Brazilian steelmaking; it has put modest sums into joint ventures and other partnerships. But Vale denies that recent investments in Brazilian potash are motivated by anything but commercial good sense. Potash is set to boom, it insists.
After the election Vale will unveil new investment plans. Rumours suggest that these will involve capital spending of up to $100 billion over the next five years—most of it in Brazil. That should keep the government happy, while leaving Vale with ample sums to invest abroad. It may be that the price of iron ore will fall, hobbling Vale’s progress. But mining firms everywhere look at all the cars, pipes, bridges and steel-skeletoned skyscrapers that Chinese people seem to want, and doubt it.

Source: economist.com

Kenai Resources Starts Drilling at Hope Butte and Albisu Secures Key Gold Project in Brazil

Kenai Resources Ltd(CA:KAI 0.30, +0.01, +3.45%) ("Kenai") announces that drilling at its Hope Butte, Oregon gold project located just west of the Idaho border is scheduled to commence around the end of September. Kenai's immediate drilling program of approximately 3,000 metres is designed to replicate the results and the mining potential recorded at Hope Butte in the 1996 to 2000 period by Chevron Resources and its joint venturers, and to advance Hope Butte to NI 43-101 status. To this end, four initial holes are being drilled by twinning Chevron's prior results, including several very high grade intercepts. Assay results from the initial drilling at Hope Butte will be released as soon as available.
Kenai also advises that, following the completion of the initial drilling at Hope Butte, the rig will be remobilised for a planned 1,000 metre drilling program at the Albisu farm-in exploration project in northern Nevada. This program is currently anticipated to commence during November. The Albisu gold project was drilled by Chevron Resources in 1979 and 1981 and Western Energy Development Corp. ("WEDC") followed up with four core holes in 2008 to twin Chevron's AL-14 drill hole that reportedly intercepted 6.5 meters at 6.2 gram per tonne ("gpt"). The WEDC holes confirmed the gold zone by intercepting 1.6 meters of 12.46 gpt and 8 meters of 1.94 gpt. To date WEDC has drilled a total of 3,729 meters of core at Albisu in 2008 and 2009. That drill program defined a mineralized stockwork sulphide-quartz-calcite zone that is up to 73 m thick. Gold values range from 14.6 gpt over 1.8 meters to intervals between 3 and 32 meters of 0.2 to 0.5 gpt.

Kenai Entry to Brazil via Strategic Joint Venture with Gold Anomaly on its Sao Chico Gold Project

Kenai has executed an Option Agreement with Gold Anomaly Limited (ASX:GOA) for Kenai to acquire 50% of the Sao Chico gold project in Brazil, by funding project exploration ahead of a possible decision to acquire equity in the project, with key terms as under:

Kenai has an 18 months option to acquire 50% of Sao Chico following an advance to GOA of A$1m and committing to provide A$2m project funding, these funds will be in the form of a loan from Kenai to GOA until exercise of the option. If Kenai does not exercise the option, the loan funds advanced will be repaid to Kenai by GOA.
Kenai has a further option to acquire further 25% by payment to GOA of A$1m and committing to provide A$1m project funding.
GOA has right to continuing participation at 25% level or can sell 25% to Kenai based on US$30/oz for attributable CIM Mineral Resources gold ounces plus US$60/oz for attributable CIM Mineral Reserves gold ounces at that time.
Kenai to pay a 10% Net Profits Interest (NPI) for 5 years to GOA over Kenai's attributable interest, whether at 50% or 75%.

Kenai's objectives in this transaction are to undertake local and regional exploration and development, over the tenement area covering 1,416 hectares, initially targeting one million gold ounces in the 56 hectare core area, the site of extensive prior garimpeiro surface workings. Kenai's project funding is to generate the necessary data to accelerate a Mining Lease application.

Kenai will assume the role of project manager, utilizing existing GOA personnel as well as its own personnel. The focus is on fast tracking initial gold production and defining a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource. GOA has been planning the commencement of production by the end of 2010 at the rate of 20,000 gold ounces per annum. Production is planned from an expected high grade gold deposit using a minimal capital cost, low operating cost gravity recovery operation. On exercise of the Option, Kenai's participation will be as an incorporated joint venture with GOA, covering GOA's rights under contract with the local garimpeiro landowner. This landowner has recently been granted a 12 month trial mining permit or GUIA, with a possible 12 month extension to the permit, during which time a feasibility study for a full scale project is planned to be completed. As Greg Starr, President of Kenai is also a Director of Gold Anomaly; the intended transaction may be determined by the TSX Exchange as a non-arms length acquisition.

Source: marketwatch.com

Beadell sells noncore assets to fund Brazil gold project

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Gold developer Beadell Resources has agreed to sell the iron-ore royalties from its Amapá project, in Brazil, to Toronto- and London-listed Anglo Pacific Group for A$31,25-million.

“This is an outstanding result for both Anglo Pacific Group and Beadell,” said Beadell MDPeter Bowler.

“Our strategy of funding the construction of the carbon-in-leach gold plant at our Tucano project, in Brazil, early next year by way of selling noncore assets, supplemented with sensible levels of debt is becoming a reality.”

Bowler added that Beadell also planned to sell its earthmoving equipment to an experienced mining services group, which would subsequently be awarded a long-term contract for the mining of the openpit projects.

“These are crucial milestones, as we progress towards the resumption of large-scale gold mining at Tucano, while at the same time looking after the best interest of all shareholders and stakeholders,” added Bowler.

Mineral resources for the Tucano project are divided into openpit and underground resources based on detailed scoping level analysis of cost inputs to derive cut-off grades. The total resources for the project are 54,6-million tons at 1,65 g/t gold for 2,9-million ounces. This includes openpit resources totalling 26,3-million tons at 1,45 g/t gold for 1,2-million ounces.

The Tucano project contains significant deposits of hematite iron-ore hosted in a banded iron formation (BIF) that occurs throughout the greenstone belt.

Anglo American and Cliffs Natural Resources started an openpit mining operation and beneficiation plant in December 2007, and are ramping up to a projected 6,5-million tons a year of pellet and sinter feed production, which is anticipated to occur between 2011 and 2012.

The mining concession that makes up the Amapá iron-ore project is located immediately south-east of the Tucano gold deposits and is hosted in the same BIF.

Source: miningweekly.com

Oil & Gas

2010-09-27T10:35:00.002+10:00

Brazil's oil firm Petrobras aims for largest share issue in history

The $64m offering well surpasses the $36bn raised by Japanese telecoms firm NTT in 1987
Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petrobras is aiming to sell a record-breaking $64bn (£41bn) worth of shares to investors this week – the latest and biggest sign of the developing nation's recent ascent through the ranks of world finance.
The offering is set to become the largest issue to date, surpassing the $36bn raised by Japanese telecoms company NTT in 1987 and the $24bn raised by the Royal Bank of Scotland in June 2008, when the lender rushed to inflate its corporate buffers as the credit crunch started to deepen.
Investors are flocking to emerging markets, bonds and natural resources as they escape moribund equity markets in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, developing economies such as Brazil are booming as they sell oil, minerals and metals at record prices. Their financial systems have also been less battered by the credit crunch than those in the west, as their more traditional banks avoided the complex sub-prime lending deals that led to the global recession.
Rio-based Petrobras, an offshore oil driller, will use the funds raised to help finance its $224bn investment plan through 2014. As many as 26 investment banks have been appointed to distribute the shares, including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Banco Santander and Citigroup.
Petrobras, already the fifth largest publicly listed oil and gas firm, aims to make Brazil one of the world's biggest oil exporters. It plans to tap oil buried under the sea floor in a region known as the subsalt.
Deals such as Brazilian ethanol and sugar company ETH's purchase of rival Brenco have lifted Brazil to the world's number five rank in mergers and acquisitions this year – up from eighth over the same period last year – according to Dealogic. Only the US, Britain, China and Canada have struck more deals than the South American country. Brazil is also ranked seven in terms of equity issues – up from 10th last year – and 21st in debt transactions, a jump from its 29th rank in 2009.
Banks are expanding their operations in Sao Paulo, Brasilia or Rio as they try to exploit the country's rich mineral reserves, including iron ore, aluminium or copper. Brazil is also rich in soya beans, fruit, coffee, sugar and cotton.
The Petrobras sale is also expected to attract interest from energyinvestors, who have rushed into natural resource companies as they perceive them to be safer than the recently volatile credit and equity markets. Gold last week reached a record of $1,274 per troy ounce, while Exchange Traded Funds have proliferated in stock markets across Europe as investors seek exposure to commodities and energy. In the meantime, the FTSE 100 has barely gained 1.8% this year.
Utility and energy is the second biggest generator of equity issues in Europe so far this year, with $8.4bn worth of transactions. Only banks have issued more, worth $17bn.

Source: guardian.co.uk

Production of oil in Brazil was record in August

(Source: Info-Prod Research (Middle East)) According to ANBA: Brazilian daily oil production reached a record figure in August. The figures were disclosed today (16) by the Natural Gas and Biofuel director at the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel Agency (ANP), Victor Martins. He also pointed out the production of natural gas, the second largest in history, was only lower than that in June. "August production was a historic record for Brazil, representing 2.078 million barrels of oil [a day] and 62 million cubic metres of gas a day, which configures a volume of 2.471 million barrels of oil equivalent, record production," said the ANP director during Rio Oil & Gas a fair that brings together the main global companies in the sector. He said that the record volumes which represented growth of 6% in production of oil and 10% in gas, as against August 2009 show how correct the government policy in the area is. "This means that we are on the right route, expanding production, and that the policy developed for attraction of new partners to support activities in the oil sector is a great success. It is very good for the country to reach a level of production that exceeds self-sufficiency with such great margins." In coming months, the director at the ANP hopes for production to continue rising in a consistent manner. "They are projects that are being developed, maturing and starting to operate. It is the development of a process. This shows that Brazil is consolidating itself as a producer of oil." He also pointed out the growing participation of private companies in production, though it is still greatly concentrated on Petrobras. "Foreign companies are starting to participate, among them Shell and Chevron, although 91% of production is still in the hands of Petrobras." Victor estimated that there should be growth of foreign companies in coming years. "I believe that both Petrobras production should grow as should that of other companies that believe in Brazil, research, invest and develop their projects." Figures show that Rio de Janeiro is responsible for 78% of national production, with 1.624 million barrels a day in the month. Another eight states also produced: Esp?rito Santo (240,600 barrels a day), Rio Grande do Norte (58,100 barrels), Bahia (45,400 barrels), Sergipe (40,300 barrels), Amazonas (36,600 barrels), S?o Paulo (18,600 barrels), Cear? (8,700 barrels) and Alagoas (5,400 barrels).

Source: istockanalyst.com

Renewable Energy

2010-09-27T10:30:00.000+10:00

Warburg Pincus Is Investing in Brazil’s Omega Energia

Omega Energia Investment, a renewable energy company in Brazil, said it had obtained $205 million in investments from the American private equity firm Warburg Pincus as well as Tarpon Investimentos, already its controlling shareholder.
The additional 350 million reals will give Omega, which already holds a portfolio of small hydro power plants, the reserves to undertake larger projects, some of which are already under consideration.
Alain Belda, managing partner of Warburg in Brazil, said the stake was the firm’s “first in Brazil since the opening of our São Paulo office in February of this year.”
Omega, created in 2008, said Tuesday that it was conducting feasibility studies on a number of large hydro plants in the 50- to 200-megawatt range.
“Given the extremely large amount of resources required, energy is by nature a partnership business. I strongly believe that the growth of the renewable energy sector is happening due to the creation of larger enterprises with greater economies of scale,” said Antonio Augusto Bastos Filho, Omega’s chief executive.
Tarpon, based in Brazil, manages $3 billion in assets.

Source: dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com

Economy

2010-09-27T10:25:00.001+10:00

U.S. Loses No. 1 to Brazil-China-India Market in Investor Poll

The U.S. has fallen behind emerging markets in Brazil, China and India as the preferred place to invest, a Bloomberg survey shows, though the world’s largest economy still ranks highest of all major developed countries.
The U.S. ranked first three months ago in the last quarterly Bloomberg Global Poll. Along with the slipping perceptions of the U.S. markets in the most recent survey, conducted Sept. 16-17, poll respondents say the Federal Reserve is likely to take further steps to try to bolster the economy.
In the September poll of 1,408 investors, analysts and traders who are Bloomberg subscribers, respondents rate the U.S. fourth for potential returns over the next year, behind Brazil and China, tied for first, and India, in third place.
The U.S. economic situation “is obviously unsustainable, and the concerted attempt to suspend disbelief is playing increasingly poorly abroad,” says poll respondent Eric Kraus, chief strategist for Otkritie Brokerage House in Moscow. “One can delay, but no one can forestall the unwind of a multidecade credit bubble.”
Economic reports released since the June poll show U.S. GDP growth slowed to 1.6 percent in the second quarter from 3.7 percent in the first quarter. In the final quarter of last year, GDP grew at a 5.0 percent annual rate.
Expectations for U.S. GDP growth next year have dropped to a median forecast of 2.5 percent in September from 2.9 percent in June, according to Bloomberg’s monthly survey of economists.
S&P Rise
Since the June survey, U.S. stock markets have been on the rise. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index has risen 3.62 percent since the last investor poll was completed June 3. That’s not as much as Brazil’s Bovespa Index, which is up 10.56 percent and India’s Bombay Stock ExchangeSensitive Index, which is up 10.44 percent. The U.S. stocks still did better than China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index, which has risen 1.41 percent since June 3.
“I think the U.S. will get back on track, but not in the next 6-12 months,” says poll respondentThomas Knudsen, a senior trader with OW Supply & Trading in Copenhagen.
Two-thirds of investors say they believe Federal Reserve policy makers, who meet today, will ease monetary policy through bond purchases by the end of the year. A similar 65 percent majority say the Fed bond purchases won’t boost U.S. economic growth.
Overall, investors give the central bank favorable marks, with a 57 percent majority believing its monetary policy is “about right.” More say it has been too aggressive, the view of 26 percent, than say it has been too timid, a view held by 14 percent.
Popular Bernanke
Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke is viewed favorably by 71 percent of respondents, up from 67 percent in June. He ranks highest in a list of eight global leaders and policy makers that includes President Barack Obama, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet.
Only 1 out of 6 investors believes the U.S. economy is currently improving, though a 45 percent plurality considers the U.S. “stable.” Another 37 percent believe the U.S. is deteriorating.
The poll also shows that confidence in the dollar has slipped since June, when 63 percent of investors believed the U.S. currency would rise against the euro during the following three months. Forecasts are now evenly divided: 34 percent now expect a stronger dollar in three months; 32 percent expect little change; and 30 percent a weaker dollar.
The Bloomberg Global Poll was conducted by Selzer & Co., of Des Moines, Iowa, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.
No ‘Lost Decade’
Investors are confident the U.S. will avoid some of the worst outcomes. Seven out of 10 investors say they believe there is little or no risk of a U.S. double-dip recession. Six out of 10 investors see little or no risk the U.S. will endure a Japan- like “Lost Decade” of minimal or no growth.
“There is a black cloud overhead, but the worst is not yet to come,” says J. Ann Selzer, president of Selzer & Co.
Still, investors are wary of the record U.S. budget deficits. A 53 percent majority sees a big or moderate risk the budget deficit will provoke a crisis of confidence within two years that will spur “a dramatic rise” in long-term interest rates.
Poll respondent Dieter Buchholz, head of equities at Falcon Private Bank in Zurich, said market sentiment could turn against U.S. debt if the bipartisan debt commission appointed by Obama fails to spur a credible reduction in long-term deficits or Congress bucks the White House to expand the deficit by extending Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy.
‘Confidence Crisis’
“When the non-Americans see that efforts by the administration to balance the budget are fruitless, then I think you will get a confidence crisis,” Buchholz said.
In July, the White House budget office forecast the federal deficit would be a record $1.47 trillion for 2010 and $1.42 trillion for the 2011 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
Poll respondents were evenly split on whether the current U.S. Treasury bond market is a bubble. In six months, 49 percent expect yields on the 10-year Treasury note to be higher versus 26 percent who expect yields to be lower.
Their view of the U.S. stock market is bullish: 49 percent expect the S&P 500 to be higher in six months, while 28 percent say it will be lower.
Poll respondents in the U.S. are more optimistic about their nation as a place for investment; 35 percent of U.S. investors name it as a top market, just behind Brazil. Outside the U.S., that number drops to 17 percent.

Source: bloomberg.com

Events – Australia

2010-09-27T10:20:00.002+10:00

Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show-Melbourne

Date: 02-OCT-10 to 03-OCT-10
100+ Exhibitors providing food and products to help those with Coeliac Disease, a gluten intolerance or looking for a healthier lifestyle. The Coles Cooking Stage provides top name chefs cooking up a gluten free storm. Seminar Theatres both inform and entertain. This is the only Healthy Food Show to attend.
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Eye Power - Exhibitor Training Seminar

Date: 06-OCT-10 to 06-OCT-10
Eye Power - Exhibitor Training Seminar is an internationally recognised and widely presented exhibitor education program. Its key purpose is to help exhibitors and industry professionals achieve their exhibition and trade show objectives and increase their return-on-investment (ROI). Skyline presents this exhibitor training free of charge to anyone who can benefit from Eye Power to increase their exhibition and event marketing success.
Venue: Skyline Displays Showroom, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

ALL-ENERGY AUSTRALIA

Date: 07-OCT-10 to 08-OCT-10
All-Energy Australia is the Asia Pacific region's only event devoted to all forms of clean energy. The event will features areas of the renewable energy industry - wind (onshore and offshore), wave, tidal, hydro, hydrogen and fuel cells, solar and biofuels. The event will be taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

IT Matters

Date: 07-OCT-10 to 08-OCT-10
IT Matters will offer a best platform for companies to showcase products and services, generate sales market their brand & network with hundreds of corporations and visitors expected to attend over the two days. A conference also will be held during the event session at the same venue.
Venue: Melbourne Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Good Food & Wine Show-Adelaide

Date: 08-OCT-10 to 10-OCT-10
The Good Food & Wine Show-Adelaide will offer best opportunity to to sample over many brands fine wines, beers and spirits and food from around the globe. The exhibition will provide tastings program and sample high-end wines in the Fine Wine Tasting Lounge. The event will be held between 08-10 October 2010 and being organized by Diversified Exhibitions.
Venue: Adelaide Showground, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Australian International Motor Show

Date: 14-OCT-10 to 24-OCT-10
The Australian International Motor Show is the flagship event for the Australian motor industry. Filling to capacity the 28,000 square metres of the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour, the show offers a line-up of all new, re-designed or upgraded production models and concept cars from around the world.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Infrastructure Australia-Adelaide

Date: 20-OCT-10 to 22-OCT-10
The Infrastructure Australia Exhibition will provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services and bring together leading projects from Australia that deal with Infrastructure in some shape or form.
Venue: Adelaide Showground, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Comfex

Date: 20-OCT-10 to 22-OCT-10
Comfex is an inaugural trade event dedicated to the construction, mining, earthmoving, civil contracting, quarry and allied industries. Constrction & Mining Equipment & Machinery, Scaffolding & Formwork, Commercial Vehicles will attract Construction & Mining Companies, Equipment Hire & Rental Companies, Transport Companies, Government, Utilities, Quarrying, Consulting & Design.
Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Motorclassica

Date: 22-OCT-10 to 24-OCT-10
Motorclassica is a leading trade fair for Automotive industry, it will be held at Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, Australia. Passenger Cars, sport Cars, 4 x 4 Vehicles, Mini buses, Vans, Micro Buses, light Utility Vehicles, Pick Up Single & Double Cabin, Cycles & Motorcycles, Buses, Trucks, Heavy duty Vehicles will be targeting Executives & Businessmen, Automobile Professionals, Corporate Buyers, Transport Operators.
Venue: Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Restaurant Expo

Date: 25-OCT-10 to 26-OCT-10
Restaurant Expo is designed for you to reach the decision makers of Australia's leading independent restaurants, restaurant chains, hotel groups and contract caterers. Restaurant Expo will encompass everything a restaurateur and their team need to make their restaurant more successful, and give them the edge.
Venue: Royal Hall of Industries & Hordern Pavilion,Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sydney Materials Handling

Date: 26-OCT-10 to 26-OCT-10
Sydney Materials Handling is the most important specialized show of its nature. An ever greater interest by the exhibitors in presenting their products and services at industrial products proves its success and a growing tendency. Sydney Materials Handling occurs in some form or another in every workplace.
Venue: Sydney Trade Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Goldfields Mining Expo

Date: 26-OCT-10 to 28-OCT-10
Goldfields Mining Expo (GME), one of the world's largest exhibitions of products and services for the mining and related engineering industries.
Venue: WMC Conference Centre, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Australi

Events – Brazil

2010-09-27T10:15:00.001+10:00

UsinaGem

Date: 05-OCT-10 to 07-OCT-10
UsinaGem will showcase new technologies, equipments and services in the machining industry. Most advanced products, services and solutions for planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of machine tools. It will be held at Expo Center Norte & being organized by Aranda Eventos E Congressos.
Venue: Expo Center Norte, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Expo Estadio

Date: 06-OCT-10 to 08-OCT-10
Expo Estadio is a trade show and conference for the designing, constructing, engineering, equipping, managing and operating of stadiums and sport venues in Brazil. Sporting events are a central part of Brazilian culture. With a population of 180 million people and in light of the FIFA World cup Brazil in 2014 and Brazil's candidacy to host the Olympic Games in 2016, there will be quite some investment in the market for stadiums and sporting venues over the next 8 years.
Venue: Sul America Convention Center, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Expo Urbano

Date: 06-OCT-10 to 08-OCT-10
Expo Urbano will focus on outdoor areas such as streets, squares, parks, gardens, playgrounds, sports facilities, beach, recreational areas and parking facilities. This 3 days event will be taking place at the Sul America Convention Center 06-08 October 2010 and being organized by Real Alliance.
Venue: Sul America Convention Center, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazi

Rio Parts

Date: 06-OCT-10 to 09-OCT-10
Rio Parts for Automotive Parts and Auto Repair, a mega show of automobile Industry. It is an excellent platform for you to generate good business fortunes, unparalleled exposure to automobile fraternity, cross-fertilization of ideas an opportunity to present your proposition to consumers.
Venue: Rio De Janeiro Intercontinental Hotel, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

FIMMEPE

Date: 18-OCT-10 to 22-OCT-10
FIMMEPE is one of the comprehensive exhibition for industrial machinery sector in Brazil. The event will attract thousand of visitors from different parts of the globe under single roof at the Pernambuco Convention Center. This premium trade show will be taking place between 18-22 October 2010.
Venue: Pernambuco Convention Center, Olinda, Brazil

Mercopar Expo

Date: 19-OCT-10 to 22-OCT-10
Mercopar Expo is an international exhibition of manufacturing machineries and technologies. It's purpose is to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with an effective way of promoting their business, as well as a show case for sales and making contact with domestic and foreign manufacturers and contractors.
Venue: Caxias do Sul Exhibition Centre, Caxias Do Sul, Brazil

ABAV- Fair of Americas

Date: 20-OCT-10 to 22-OCT-10
ABAV- Fair of Americas is sole exhibition for tour and tourism industry. This is one of the biggest trade fair in Latin America. The event will be held between 20-22 October 2010 at the RioCENTRO Convention Center and being organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Venue: Rio de Janeiro Convention Center, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABAV - Discover America Pavilion

Date: 20-OCT-10 to 22-OCT-10
ABAV - Discover America Pavilion annually attracts more than 700 exhibitors from 40 countries and some 25,000 trade professionals, approx. 9,000 of whom are travel agents. This is one of the most comprehensive exhibition for tour and travel industry which will be taking place between 20-22 October 2010 at the Rio de Janeiro Convention Center.
Venue: Rio de Janeiro Convention Center, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABCC – Events

2010-08-31T11:00:00.002+10:00

Sporting events business mission to Brazil
21 – 26 November 2010

For more information contact the ABCC secretariat on: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au

Ritmo Brazilian Day

Join the Brazilian community at this fantastic celebration of Brazil's National Day with live music, capoeira and samba shows and authentic Brazilian foods!

Get a 10% discount at the Frevos Food Stall if you mention you are an ABCC member.

Ritmo Brazilian Day
When: Sunday, September 19th 2010
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Time: from 11am
Free entry
Shows: MPB, Capoeira, Samba, Axé, Pagode, traditional dances from Brazil’s
northeast.
Food: feijoada, pastel, coxinha, churros, churrasco, guaraná, beijinho and
Brigadeiro. (Go to the Frevos Stall and mention you are an ABCC member to get 10% discount)
Traditional drinks: caipirinha, caipiroska, beer and guaraná.

ABCC - Feed Back on Events

2010-08-31T10:50:00.002+10:00

ABCC Farewell Luncheon to His Excellency Fernando de Mello Barreto

The ABCC hosted the farewell luncheon to His Excellency Ambassador Fernando de Mello Barreto on 4th July 2010 at the Library Room – Union, University and Schools Club, Sydney.

His Excellency Fernando de Mello Barreto, Cristina Talacko (ABCC), Maria
Helena Penha (Charge D'Affairs - Embassy of Brazil) and Jose Blanco
(Chairman, Banco Santander, ALABC)

Pedro Amaral (Deputy Consul of Brazil), C. Talacko, Bruno and Monica
Fiorentini (ABCC)

Tim Harcourt (Austrade's Chief Economist), C. Talacko, Maria Helena Penna
and His Excellency Barreto

ABCC at the IMPORT EXPORT SHOW:

The ABCC took part at the “Import Export Show” organized by Trade Australia on 1st and 2nd September 2010 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
The Exhibition was dedicated to showcasing the full spectrum of services and support available to assist exporters and importers with their international business development, growth and engagement.
It includes a seminar program with expert presenters, workshops and networking with information on latest solutions, important connections and business opportunities and the ABCC presented the Case for Brazil.
The ABCC would like to thank Deugro Projects and Cyclone Global for their active participation at the event.

Liz Myers (Cyclone Global Logistics) and Sebastian Laffont (Deugro
Projects)

Presentation by ABCC and Deugro Projects

ABCC, ALABC and AISES Seminar Series: “World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games in Rio 2016: Opportunities for Australian Companies”

The ABCC in conjunction with the Australia-Latin America Business Council and AISES (Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat) hosted a series of seminars highlighting opportunities for Australian companies to provide services and products for the World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016 in Brazil.

Fabio Nave (Austrade, São Paulo), C. Talacko (ABCC) and Eric Winton
(AISES)

ABCC New Members

2010-08-31T10:40:00.000+10:00

The ABCC welcomes the following new members

Exporters' Club - SA

Consulate General of Uruguay

Macquarie University

Cyclone Global Logistics

Group GSA

SISS – Business Systems

Adverbum

Enviren

IP WEALTH

Special Article from ABCC Member

2010-08-31T10:30:00.000+10:00

Karoon Energy International

Karoon signs farmin agreement with Petrobras for two blocks in the Santos Basin, Brazil - drilling has commenced in the first of a two prospect drilling campaign

Transaction highlights

Karoon Petroleo e Gas Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Karoon Gas Australia Ltd, has executed a Farmin Agreement with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A (“Petrobras”) to acquire a 20% interest in blocks BM-S-41/ S-M 1352 (“Maruja Prospect”)and BM-S-41/ S-M 1354 (“Quasi Prospect”) located in the offshore Santos Basin, Brazil.

Subject to obtaining regulatory approvals in Brazil (including from the Brazilian Petroleum agency) Karoon will earn a 20% interest in both blocks by funding 35% of a well in the Maruja Prospect, as part of a two well drilling program. Karoon will then pay its equity share of continued work and reimburse Petrobras for sunk costs.

Drilling has commenced in the Quasi Prospect and drilling in the Maruja Prospect is expected to commence in September 2010. Results from both wells are expected by the end of 2010. Petrobras is the operator and the parties are currently finalising the terms of a joint operating agreement to govern operations on the blocks moving forward.

Promising geology

Three oil prospects have been identified with prospect size ranges (gross mean recoverable) estimated to be in excess of 100 million barrels. Preliminary economic evaluation by Karoon indicates that a development in this setting could be rapidly brought to production due to the close proximity of existing oil and gas infrastructure.

The recent Petrobras discoveries at Tiro and Sidon in Block BM-S-40 are located 16 km from the Maruja Prospect. These discoveries were in good quality tertiary aged sandstone reservoirs estimated to contain cumulatively 120Mmbo. The map on the next page illustrates the position of relevant blocks. Petrobras has lodged a development application with the relevant government authority and is currently producing oil at the Tiro discovery under an extended well test.

Petrobras a world class partner

Petrobras is the world's fourth largest energy company, the largest company in Latin America by market capitalization, and the largest company headquartered in the Southern Hemisphere. Karoon looks forward to further developing its strategic relationship with Petrobras.

The transaction further illustrates Karoon’s strategy of expanding and diversifying its asset base by securing equity interests in good quality, prospective exploration areas.

For further information please see complete pdf file, Karoon website karoongas.com.au or contact:

Mr Scott Hosking Company Secretary – Karoon Gas Australia Ltd
Email: shosking@karoongas.com.au
Phone: (03) 5974 1044

Mr Ian Howarth – Collins Street Media
Email: ian@collinsstreetmedia.com.au

Phone: 0407 822 317

Economy

2010-08-31T10:20:00.000+10:00

Lula’s surprising legacy

How the outgoing President turned around a troubled nation

by Isabel Vincent
Last month, the nonagenarian Brazilian socialite Lily Marinho hosted an extraordinary event at her Rio de Janeiro mansion—a political endorsement for the ruling Workers’ Party presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff. Over champagne, salmon remoulade and passion fruit crepes, Marinho introduced Rousseff as “Lady Democracy” to the 40 powerful women assembled at her grand colonial home. When a reporter asked her if she would be hosting luncheons for the eight other candidates, the bejewelled Marinho shot back from her wheelchair, “No, just for her!”

While Rousseff, the 62-year-old frontrunner in Brazil’s October vote, basked in the adulation, Brazil’s president and Rousseff’s former boss, Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, 64, must have been savouring the turn of events. After all, when he first took office in 2003, members of Marinho’s rareified circle worried that he would take Latin America’s biggest economy down the road to ruin, turning the country into a Marxist banana republic.

In fact, before his death in 2003, media baron Roberto Marinho—Lily’s husband—worked actively against Lula. During Lula’s first presidential bid in 1989, Marinho ensured that his Globo TV empire supported Lula’s principal opponent, Fernando Collor de Mello, the right-wing governor of Alagoas state, whose short-lived rule of Brazil proved a major disaster. His economic reforms went nowhere and he resigned amid accusations of influence-peddling and corruption in 1992. “Stop for a minute and look back to 2002,” Rousseff told the Rio socialites at the luncheon. “Understand just how different this country has become. Twenty-four million Brazilians have left poverty and 31 million others have entered the middle class. The country grew and companies grew.”

Indeed, Lula has poured billions into social programs to alleviate hunger and improve education. The efforts seem to be paying off. Brazil’s income gap—one of the world’s biggest—is shrinking while the bottom 10 per cent of the population saw their income rise by nearly 60 per cent between 2001 and 2006.

In March, he launched the second phase of an investment scheme that will pump more than US$800 billion into everything from roads to housing to renewable energy. Even Lula’s former rival, Collor, now a senator, recently described Lula as “the best president Brazil ever had.”

Many would agree. Lula proved full of surprises. Instead of the raving Marxist feared by the upper and middle classes, the married father of five built on the tough economic plan of his predecessor Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Sustained growth and curbs on inflation helped the economy improve from its periodic bouts of hyperinflation, and steadied the shaky currency. Last year, Brazil’s real was the fifth-best performing industrialized currency in the world, rising 30 per cent against the U.S. dollar.

A growing economy—GDP will increase by nearly six per cent this year—and a burgeoning export sector have bolstered Brazil’s position on the world stage. While the country still has areas of chronic underdevelopment, it has emerged in the last two years as a major donor nation. The Economist recently noted that its total development spending could top US$4 billion a year, on par with more traditional donor countries such as Sweden and Canada. In recent years, Brazil has played an important role as head of the UN stabilization force in Haiti. “Lula’s legacy is that he actually opened up a space for Brazil on the world stage,” said Annette Hester, a Calgary-based associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “It’s true he could have done a lot more for Brazil internally, but he created a new paradigm—a democratic leader who rises from the lower classes in Brazil.”

The seventh of eight children, Lula was born in Brazil’s hardscrabble northeast. He left school in the fourth grade to help support his single mother, who had moved her family to São Paulo in search of a better life. From about the age of 12 Lula worked as a street vendor and a shoeshine boy. Later, he worked as a lathe operator and became deeply involved in union politics. He was one of the founders of the Workers’ Party in 1980. His years involved with union leadership, says Hester, made him “a wise and skilled conciliator.”

That’s probably why he is so comfortable with everyone from U.S. President Barack Obama to Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chávez. And he hasn’t shied away from controversy. Earlier this year, Brazil plunged into the Iranian nuclear debate. Lula warned the U.S. that sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program could lead to war. “We don’t want to repeat in Iran what happened in Iraq,” he said. Brazil’s powerful multinational oil company Petrobras has made important inroads in Iran during Lula’s two terms in office. At the same time, he’s forging strong ties with Israel. He is the first Brazilian leader to visit that country, and wants to be considered a peacemaker in the region. And, according to Hester, Brazil is now demanding more influential roles on world bodies such as the UN Security Council and the International Monetary Fund. The country will host the World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

And while he is backing Rousseff—the daughter of a Bulgarian émigré is a political lightweight whose only federal government experience is working as Lula’s energy minister and chief of staff —in the upcoming election, Lula, whose popularity is over 80 per cent, has indicated that he may not be done with politics.

He is barred from pursuing a third consecutive term, but has indicated that he may take another shot at the country’s top job in 2014.
Source: macleans.ca

Energy

2010-08-31T10:10:00.000+10:00

Brazil Real Little Changed as Energy Minister 'Optimistic' on Petrobras

Brazil’s real was little changed after Energy Minister Marcio Zimmermann said he’s “optimistic” that Petroleo Brasileiro SA will carry out its planned share sale next month.

The real fell 0.01 percent to 1.7701 per dollar from 1.77 yesterday, erasing a gain of as much as 0.5 percent.

The sale, which the state-run oil producer estimates will be as much as $25 billion, will lure foreign investment, said Luiz Gustavo Medina, who helps oversee 245 million reais ($139 million) as a partner at M2 Investimentos in Sao Paulo. Investors also are betting more stock offerings will follow, further boosting the supply of dollars in the country, he said.

“If the offering happens the inflows will be huge,” Medina said by phone. “Then there’s the post-Petrobras, all the offerings that have been waiting all year for this one to go through. No one but the central bank is buying dollars right now.”

The government and Petrobras are still working on terms of an oil reserves-for-stock swap related to the share sale plan, Zimmermann said in an interview in Brasilia.

In the overnight interest-rate futures market, the yield on contracts due in January was unchanged at 10.68 percent.
Source: bloomberg.com

Mining

2010-08-31T10:00:00.000+10:00

Brazilian iron ore production to more than double by 2030

According to the 2030 Mining Plan, a document being drawn up by the Ministry for Mining and Energy, iron ore production in Brazil is expected to more than double over the next 20 years.

The study, which is in its review stage and which is expected to be published in the second half of August, points to iron ore production of 1 billion tonnes as compared to current production of between 380 and 400 million tonnes.

Mr Fernando Ffreitas Lins director of the secretariat for geology, mining and mineral transformation of the Ministry for Mining and Energy said that the increase in production in the country was due to demand from Chinese companies. The Plan outlines production of 585 million tonnes of iron ore in 2015 and 785 million tonnes in 2022.

During a conference at the Congress of the Brazilian Association of Metallurgy, Materials and mining, Mr Freitas Lins said that projections were based on average world growth of 3.8% and of 5.1% in Brazil over the next few years. Currently, a significant amount of the ore produced by Brazilian mining company Vale is exported to the Chinese market.
Source: steelguru.com

Brazil's mining giant Vale rejects Potash Corp bid speculation

VALE has scotch speculation that it is interested in Potash Corp by denying that it has made any approach to buy any fertiliser company.
"Vale SA informs that rumors about a bid to acquire a fertilizers company or about negotiations with the purpose of making a bid to acquire such company are totally unfounded," the Brazilian mining giant said in a brief statement.

Potash formally rejected last night BHP Billiton's hostile bid made last week for $US130 a share, or about $US38.6 billion ($43bn), and said it has a number of other potential suitors. Among those, there has been speculation that Vale was one of those taking a closer look at the Canadian company.

A person familiar with Vale's board of directors said it hadn't been informed of any approach to Potash. The person said it seems "unrealistic" that Vale would make an offer for the Canadian potash producer, given that Vale is already investing heavily in its own fertiliser projects.

"It's impossible that the Vale board would have no knowledge of the preparation of a bid of this size, about $US40 billion," the person said.

Potash chief executive Bill Doyle said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal last night that interest from other companies in Potash came "within hours" of the company going public with its rejection of BHP's unsolicited offer and that it has been an active week of reaching out to prospective companies and fielding calls of interest.

Potash has initiated contact with "a number of third parties who have expressed an interest in considering alternative transactions," Mr Doyle said.

Vale is expanding its position in potash as part of a bid to become one of the world's biggest fertiliser producers by 2017.

Nevertheless, it's concentrating on developing its own projects, rather than making any more acquisitions, the person familiar with the board's activities said. Any bid for Potash would be a "complex movement, and Vale's not going to get into this at the moment," the person said.

Nomura Securities' Gavin Wood said he considered the media speculation on China's Sinochem and Vale eyeing Potash unreliable.

"I'm not sure why Vale would be interested. There's no particular synergy for Vale (with a Potash buy)," Mr Wood said. "It looks like Potash Corp is looking for a white knight."

He added that BHP "would probably like to see this speculation dissipate before they come back with a new offer". BHP Billiton may be feeling pressure from shareholders to make a new acquisition as there are few attractive stand-alone assets now available, he said.

Vale has spent heavily in recent years to build its fertiliser business. Earlier this year, Vale bought the Brazilian fertiliser assets of Bunge for $US3.8bn, while in January 2009 it bought potash deposits in Argentina and Saskatchewan from Rio Tinto for $US857 million.

Vale is investing in developing existing potash and phosphate properties in Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Mozambique and Canada that could make it the world's biggest fertiliser company as soon as 2015, even without buying Potash, according to SLW Corretora analyst Pedro Galdi.

In potash alone, Vale said earlier this month that it aims to produce 10.7 million tonnes a year from 2017, which would make it the world's third-biggest producer. Potash Corp would still be the largest, producing about 18.9 million tonnes a year, Vale said, while Mosaic would be second, with output of 15.1 million tonnes a year.

Vale chief executive Roger Agnelli said during the inauguration of the company's Bayovar phosphate rock mine in Peru this month that the project will now move straight from its initial capacity of 3.9 million tonnes a year into second- and third-phase expansions, to reach 7.9 million tonnes by 2015. The project has the world's lowest phosphate production costs, according to the Brazilian company.

Mr Agnelli said on August 6 that Vale hopes to announce plans to launch a new company, Vale Fertilisers, to bring together the Brazilian assets it has acquired from Bunge and Fosfertil. The company would be listed separately on Sao Paulo's Bovespa stock exchange, he said.
Source: theaustralian.com.au

Technology

2010-08-31T09:50:00.000+10:00

Japan seeks space technology deals in Brazil

Japanese officials and businessmen are in Brazil looking for partnerships in space technology.

The Japanese delegation will also travel to Argentina next week and to Peru in September to discuss opportunities in the sector.

A Japanese government official with the Economy, Commerce and Industry Ministry says Japan can help the South American countries "expand the use of space information."

Shuichi Kaneko said Wednesday in Brazil that the Asian nation wants to find ways to jointly develop small satellites to help monitor mineral resources from space.

Brazil has advanced space technology and in recent years has already received help from Japan to develop technology to monitor Amazon deforestation from space.
Source: manufacturing.net

Sport

2010-08-31T09:40:00.001+10:00

A few Latin lessons will put us at head of the class

Craig Foster
August 22, 2010
We often hear that sport is big business, and with billions of dollars in broadcast rights for major European leagues, clubs traded across international boundaries from the USA to the Middle East, and players such as Lionel Messi valued in nine figures, none is bigger than the world game.
The domestic business of football has grown tenfold this century already, but it is when we broaden our field of vision to include Australia's international interests that we see the true contribution that football makes.
Looking north, every Aussie is well aware of the importance of football as the only major sport in which we are an official member of an Asian confederation, and play regularly in Asian club and international competitions at all levels and across both genders. The federal and most state governments have been quick to recognise this new reality.
But the power of football is its omnipresence, and there are other regions of the world where football has a comparable power to build stronger relations and lead to economic outcomes that place Australia in a stronger position in the first half of this century.
One of these is primed for one of the highest economic growth rates in the next decade, has a combined population close to 600 million, and a universal love of football through which Australia can build strategic links. It is called Latin America.
A collective of 20 countries, the elephant in the room in every respect is Brazil, the spiritual home of football, with a population of 192 million, the world's eighth largest GDP, and a stable political environment.
And soon to become the centre of the sporting world, with the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2015 Copa America and the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Where there are major sporting events, there is major commercial opportunity.The World Cup alone will see US$52 billion ($58b) in public works projects across the 12 host cities, and Rio an extra US$11 billion in stadium construction, roads and highways, airports, power and telecommunications, water and waste.
Like most of Latin America, we are separated from Brazil by geography, history and language, and doing business across these barriers presents unique challenges, so how do we create a common interest on which to build trust, and allow the wheels of commerce to turn?
With football, that's how.
Barriers fall, mutual respect is established, and friendships flourish.
Happily then, while Latin America is fast becoming recognised as an exciting and valuable part of Australia's economic future, we have also recognised that we must begin the process of learning from the region in the field of football, and these two imperatives coincide at a time when Australia is becoming increasingly active in international football diplomacy.
With such extraordinary opportunity in the near term, it is time that we broadened our football vision to the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds and, while doing so, enable our diplomats and captains of industry to utilise the links created to benefit us all.
And if, along the way, we build new friendships, increase understanding, and inherit a little of the fabulous Latin culture, passion and love of life, then we'll be infinitely better off.
And that's the real business of sport.
Craig Foster is accompanying the ABCC at a Trade Mission to Brazil in November 2010 to visit Soccerex in Rio, the largest Football Trade Show in the world. For more information on how to join us at the Trade Mission.
email: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au

Brazil hopes Youth Olympics will be big stepping stone towards Rio 2016

August 10 - Brazil are planning to use the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore as an opportunity to groom the country's potential stars for Rio 2016, the head of the 81-strong team has admitted.

The team they have sent to Singapore includes 15 track and field athletes and boys and girls handball teams.

Adriana Behar, a two-time Olympic beach volleyball silver medallist, who was an ambassador for Rio's successful bid, is the Chef de Mission of the team and admits that Singapore offers an invaluable opportunity to give Brazil's youngsters the experience of competing in a multi-sport Games.

She said: "For us, this is a really good test as we're going to host the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio.

"It's important because the Youth Olympic Games will allow us to know where our athletes need to improve on.

"This is an opportunity for our new generation of athletes to show they can be not only at the 2016 Olympics, but even [as early as] the 2012 Olympics in London.

"This is preparation for our country to have the best athletes for 2016."

Among Brazil's brightest hopes in Singapore are 17-year-old sprinters Jean Roberto Franchini da Silva and Leandro Pitarelli de Araujo, who were both were part of the boys' medley relay quartet that won a silver at last year's World Youth Athletics Championship, and 18-year-old boxer David Lourenco da Silva, a gold medallist at last year's World Youth Boxing Championship welterweight.

Behar said: "All of the athletes want to win and reach their goals [in Singapore].

"The Brazilian Olympic Committee is giving all the support for them to compete as well as they can and to also to give Brazil a good image as everyone will be looking at Brazil as we're hosting the 2016 Olympics.

"There is not one thing that is more important than the other.

"We're still aiming for good results and medals."
Source: insidethegames.biz

Events – Australia

2010-08-31T09:30:00.003+10:00

Brazilian Zest & Rigby’s Bar

Brazil Film Festival 2010

Cities
Sydney – 20 – 24 October 2010
Melbourne – 27 – 30 October 2010
Brisbane – 18 – 21 November 2010

Feature Films

“Embarque Imediato” (Now Boarding)
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2009
Duration: 86 min.

“Pachamama”
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2010
Duration: 105 min.

“Dzi Croquettes”
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2010
Duration: 110 min.

“Histórias de Amor Duram Apenas 90 Minutos” (Love Stories Last Only 90 Minutes)
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Year: 2010
Duration: 93 min.

“Lula, O Filho do Brasil” (Lula, The Son of Brazil)
Genre: Drama
Year: 2010
Duration: 128 min.

A selection of 5 short films will close the list.

Tickets:
Ticket will be sold through Moshtix, at the venues (Dendy, Nova and Tribal) and online at the festival´s website.
Find out more about Brazil Film Festival at brazilfilmfestival.com.au

JAA International Jewellery Fair Sydney

Date: 29-AUG-10 to 31-AUG-10
JAA International Jewellery Fair Sydney is the only international trade event dedicated to fashion jewellery and accessories industry in Australia, which is a major manufacturing base of costume jewellery, as well as from Europe and the Americas, fashion capitals of the world to exhibit here.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Import Export Show Sydney

Date: 11-SEP-10 to 12-SEP-10
Queensland Education Resources Expo-Brisbane is one of the leading exhibition in Australia. The exhibition is design for school market products resources and services to school. Visitors to The Education Show will be education professionals and administration staff not the general public.
Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Fine Food Australia

Date: 13-SEP-10 to 16-SEP-10
Fine Food is a trade exhibition designed to bring together the buyers and sellers of food, drink and equipment together. Established in 1994 it has grown to become one of the largest food industry exhibition in Australia.
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Retail Expo

Date: 20-SEP-10 to 22-SEP-10
Retail Expo will showcase the latest Brands, Products, Retail Equipment, Display & Storage and Security technology and services for the retail industry.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Events – Brazil

2010-08-31T09:20:00.000+10:00

Equip Food & Drinks

Date: 13-SEP-10 to 16-SEP-10
Equip Food & Drinks is one of the leading trade fair for Food and Beverage Industry in Sao Paulo. This four day event will be held at Anhembi Pavilhao de Exposicoes. The exhibition is being organized by Groupo Equipotel. Confectionery products, Cooking equipment, Dairy products, Dispensing machines, Filtration & Separation equipment will be targeting Export promotion Organizations, Corporates, Repair and maintenance companies,supermarkets.
Venue: Anhembi Pavilhao de Exposicoes, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tecno Bediba

Date: 14-SEP-10 to 16-SEP-10
Tecno Bediba is the largest trade event for the beverage industry in Latin America. Tecnobebida Latin America is the greatest opportunity to meet with thousands of sales prospects, with new products and technology in a dinamic sales opportunity.
Venue: Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Feindi

Date: 14-SEP-10 to 16-SEP-10
Feindi is the exhibition for metallurgy and metalworking industry in Brazil. This three day event will be held between 14 to 16 September 2010 at Pavilhao de Exposicoes do Anhembi. Feindi will attract many visitors form Brazil and different parts of the globe. The show is being organized by Reed Exhibitions in co-operate with Alcantara Machado Trade Fairs.
Venue: Anhembi Pavilhao de Exposicoes, Sao Paulo, Brazil

MercoAgro

Date: 14-SEP-10 to 17-SEP-10
MercoAgro is a prestigious event for food processing and industrialization of meat. The exhibition will attract thousand of visitors from Brazil and abroad. For 4 days, the trade show will be held between 14-17 September 2010 at the Parque de Exposicoes. MercoAgro is being organized by Brazil Trade Shows.
Venue: Parque de Exposicoes, Cachoeiro De Itapemirim, Espirito Santo, Brazil

Food Ingredients South America

Date: 21-SEP-10 to 23-SEP-10
Food Ingredients South America is the international exhibition and conference for the food industry in Latin America. The Brazilian market for food products is among the five largest in the world. National and International manufactures of final products are increasing their investments to upgrade production facilities in order to meet the growing demand for locally produced foods, which substitute the now more expensive imported foods.
Venue: Expo Center Norte, Sao Paulo, Brazil

ABCC – Forthcoming Events

2010-07-27T09:00:00.017+10:00

ABCC Farewell Luncheon to His Excellency Fernando de Mello Barreto

Join us to farewell Brazilian Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency de Mello Barreto at a special luncheon at the UUSC.
Details are:
Date: Wednesday, 4th August 2010
Time: From 12pm to 2pm
Venue: Union, University and Schools Club, Library Room
25 Bent St Sydney 2000
Dress Code: Business Attire
To register, DOWNLOAD THE LINK
And RSVP by 30th July to abcc@australiabrazil.com.au

ABCC at the IMPORT EXPORT SHOW:

The ABCC is taking part at the “Import Export Show” organized by Trade Australia on 1st and 2nd September 2010 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. We will have a stand at the International Alley session and would like to invite ABCC members who are willing to take part to utilize this opportunity to showcase their products and services.
The Exhibition is dedicated to showcasing the full spectrum of services and support available to assist exporters and importers with their international business development, growth and engagement.
It includes a seminar program with expert presenters, workshops and networking with information on latest solutions, important connections and business opportunities.
Our members can take part:

1)As exhibitors with the ABCC for a nominal fee of $100 for both days

2)By having marketing and promotional materials at our stand free of charge

3)As visitors by registering through the website: http://www.importexportshow.com.au/

The ABCC will be making presentations as part of the Exhibition program and you are also welcome to take part contributing to the dialogue.

If you wish to participate, please contact us ASAP on abcc@australiabrazil.com.au or call us on (02) 9909 0987

ABCC, ALABC and AISES Seminar Series: “World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games in Rio 2016: Opportunities for Australian Companies”

The ABCC in conjunction with the Australia-Latin America Business Council and AISES (Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat) is hosting a series of seminars highlighting opportunities for Australian companies to provide services and products for the World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016 in Brazil.
Feedback:
Australian companies have developed a reputation built on excellent performance in the global sporting major events industry. Their industry capabilities, gained from the planning and successful delivery of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympics Games, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, the Brisbane 2001 Goodwill Games and other major international events, are world class and proven. With Brazil hosting the 2014 Football World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games significant opportunities for Australian companies to get involved in major construction and infrastructure projects are now developing.
Opportunities:
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) estimates that the cost of construction and remodelling of 12 stadiums alone will be over US$1 billion. In addition to stadium upgrades and renovations millions more will be spent on basic infrastructure and related services; and a further US$2.5 billion on airports. The total World Cup budget is estimated to be US$52 billion and will cover:

Host cities stadiums and surrounding areas - design, construction and overlay; expansion of electric power and telecommunication networks and waste/water system.

Infrastructure – planning, design and management of roads and railways in hosting cities and between.

Air travel - overhaul of the Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro airports.

Tourism – new hotels, security, transport management, promotion & information.

Training programs – volunteers and public officials including English lessons.

A joint partnership between the Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC), Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and Australian International Sporting Event Secretariat (AISES) was formed to-jointly organise a trade mission for companies interested in Brazil for November 2010. The mission will include visits to major cities including Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo and participa-tion at Soccerex Global Convention, the global leader for the business of football. Planning is currently underway and more information will be provided when available.
ALABC, ABCC and AISES will stage a series of free seminars in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to brief on business opportunities that arise for Australian companies around these two global events. The semi-nars will feature presentations by market and industry experts including Cristina Talacko—Vice Chair ALABC & President ABCC, Crispin Conroy—Senior Trade Commissioner for Latin America—Austrade, Craig Foster, Américo Doytt Fontenelle—Consul General of Brazil and Industry Speakers (TBC).

Details are:
Dates:
SYDNEY—Breakfast Briefing
When: Tuesday 10 August 7.30am—9.00 am
Where: MLC Centre, Level 47, 19 Martin Place Sydney

MELBOURNE—Briefing
When: Thursday 12 August 4.30pm—6.30 pm
Where: Investment Centre, Level 46, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne

BRISBANE—Breakfast Briefing
When: Thursday 19 August 7.30am—9.00am
Where: Treasury Room, Level 4, Marquee Hotel, 103 George St, Brisbane

Speakers:
Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner for Latin America, Crispin Conroy
Chief Football Analyst/ SBS Presenter, Craig Foster
His Excellency Americo Fontenelle, Consul-General of Brazil
(Invitations will be forwarded via email to our members)

To register CLICK HERE.

For further details please contact our secretariat on: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au or phone: (02) 9909 0987.

ABCC South Australia “Eyes on Brazil” Program

Join us in Adelaide for a series of events starting with a co-hosted seminar with Onkaparinga Exporters Club on Technology (IT, Resources and Clean Tech).

Date
Thursday 21 October 2010
Time
3.30pm - 6.00pm. Drinks and Brazilian canapés 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Venue: TBC

(Invitations will be sent via email to ABCC members)
For further details you may contact Richard Hancock, ABCC South Australia on: http://www.blogger.com/Richard.Hancock@sa.gov.au

Special Article by His Excellency Fernando de Mello Barreto: Brazil’s Ambassador to Australia

2010-07-27T08:50:00.003+10:00

A GOOD BYE LETTER BY Ambassador Fernando de Mello Barreto

After 45 months as Ambassador of Brazil to Australia, sadly it is time to say goodbye to the members of the ABCC.
Ever since my arrival, I have been leading the Embassy in promoting bilateral trade, investment, divulging Brazilian culture and attempting to establish a cooperation in science and technology between the two countries.
During this period, a number of important economic developments occurred: the Australian airline Virgin Blue has acquired 20 Embraer aircraft, and the Brazilian companies Vale and JBS made investments in Australia. This was followed by the increase in visitors between the two countries which led Qantas to establish direct flights to South America, certainly having in mind the Brazilian market.
The Brazilian Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, made an official visit to Australia in August 2008, and proposed the preparation of a Action Plan for an enhanced partnership between the two countries. Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, returned the visit one year later and continued the dialogue for that purpose.
In 2008 and 2009 the relationship strengthened continuously between businesses, individuals and various entities. The number of Brazilian students in Australia and Australians to Brazil continued to grow rapidly. In 2010, the Trade Minister, Simon Crean, visited Brazil, when he signed the amendment to the Air Services Agreement to further facilitate such interchange.
I hope I have contributed to the intensification of trade, mutual investment and tourist and cultural exchanges with the many lectures that I gave in several Australian cities. In more than 40 of such presentations, I was able to maintain frequent contact with the business community and academics from Australia, as well as the Brazilian community, especially in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Several of such presentations were made under the auspices of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce, thanks to the good work and dedication of its President, Cristina Talacko.
Another initiative that I believe has contributed to increase the bilateral relationship was the establishment of honorary consulates in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. Given the geographic distances between Australian cities and the dispersal of the Brazilian community as well as the strong decentralization that characterizes the Australian federation, the support of honorary consulates proved essential to the work of the Embassy.
The completion of the exhibition in Canberra entitled "Connections Australia, Brazil” provided an opportunity for cultural dissemination and also opened up prospects for cooperation in science and technology. Another positive development was achieved when the Embassy and the University of Queensland agreed on the creation of the first and only Portuguese lectorate in this country.
I continue to believe that there is potential for increased exchanges, economic, cultural and scientific and technological cooperation between both countries. Thanks to better communications and transport, there is potential to strengthen a bilateral partnership in many areas of mutual interest. The role of ABCC for that purpose is crucial.
Fernando Mello Barreto, Ambassador

ABCC welcomes His Excellency Americo Fontenelle, Brazil’s Consul-General to Australia

2010-07-27T08:40:00.002+10:00

The ABCC is delighted to welcome and introduce to our members the new Consul-General of Brazil, His Excellency Américo Dyott Fontenelle.

Ambassador Fontenelle is a career diplomat with more than 3 decades in the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, which he joined in 1974. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he studied law at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) before being admitted into the Brazilian Diplomatic Academy. His former postings include Rome, Santiago, New York, Ottawa and Rome for a second time. Between 2003 and 2005, he worked as a Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Brazil. Promoted to Ambassador in 2004, he served as Consul-General of Brazil in Toronto between 2006 and 2010.
Ambassador Fontenelle has had a great first impression of Australia, and admires the skill of the Australian people in building an important nation in the last 200 years. He is married to Tereza, and they have two adult children, who currently live in Brasilia.
As Consul-General of Brazil, also in charge of the Brazil Trade Bureau in Sydney, Ambassador Fontenelle is very optimistic about the potential of bilateral trade and investment. Amongst his objectives are to improve and deepen the Brazilian government’s relationship with the Australian business community.

ABCC New Members

2010-07-27T08:30:00.001+10:00

The ABCC welcomes the following new member:

Novo Mundo Exports

Foreign investment

2010-07-27T08:20:00.002+10:00

Carlyle Group acquires health-care firms in Australia and Brazil

By Thomas Heath
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Carlyle Group continued its flurry of dealmaking with two globe-spanning, health-related investments Monday, one in Australia and the second in Brazil, as the District-based private equity firm continues to be one of the most active in the buyout business.

Carlyle and private equity giant TPG won a bidding war for Australia's Healthscope, a big player in that country's hospital sector, over rival Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in a deal that valued the company at $2.35 billion. Carlyle and TPG are paying about $5.45 a share for Healthscope.

Carlyle also purchased a controlling stake in Brazil's Qualicorp, an example of its continued interest in the growth potential offered in emerging markets. Carlyle's Brazil investment is about $1.2 billion, according to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the amount had not been officially released.

Qualicorp manages private health insurance plans in Brazil, a country that Carlyle has targeted because of rising disposable income in its middle class. That growing wealth has led many middle-class consumers in Brazil to seek to augment their government health-care plans with private coverage.

"As the middle class grows, they demand services and products that were previously beyond their reach," Carlyle managing director Fernando Borges said in a statement.

Private equity analysts said the two deals announced Monday make sense for Carlyle.

"Health care is a sector that Carlyle has been in for a long, long time. It's one of their core sector focuses," said Dan Primack, editor-at-large for Private Equity Hub, which tracks the private-equity business. "This is more a reflection that the leveraged-buyout market is returning. Carlyle is one of those firms that is lucky to have a lot of capital left to do deals."

Last week Carlyle agreed to acquire New York-based vitamin maker NBTY for $3.8 billion. Also, Carlyle and a partner firm announced this month that they were selling their interests in MultiPlan, a health-care management company, to two private-equity firms in a deal that values the business at $3.1 billion.

On July 8, Carlyle invested $175 million in a Thailand-based livestock feed producer. On June 29, Carlyle announced a plan to invest $190 million in an Asian fisheries company. And on June 21, the company announced it was going to take public the Booz Allen Hamilton government consulting firm.

Carlyle has more than $90.5 billion under management, spread across 67 funds. Its biggest holdings include Hertz, Dunkin' Donuts and the nursing home giant HCR ManorCare.

Source: washingtonpost.com

Infrastructure

2010-07-27T08:10:00.002+10:00

Brazil to invest $3B on airports for 2014 World Cup

Updated July 20, 2010 02:11 PM

BRASILIA (AP) – The Brazilian government approved on Monday nearly $3 billion in funding to renovate and expand its airports ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

The government also guaranteed investments of about $400 million in its ports, hoping to make sure the country is ready to host soccer's biggest tournament.

Authorities signed a document Monday securing the investments and creating a timetable for work related to transportation and stadium construction, two of the areas receiving most of the criticism from FIFA because of delays.

Government officials had also expressed concerns with the country's preparations, but Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said everything will be ready on time.

"Things are happening very quickly," he said.

The document allows Brazil's civil aviation agency to accelerate work to renovate the 13 airports expected to be used by fans and tourists in the 12 host cities that are spread across Brazil, a large country that is currently without the transportation infrastructure needed to host the tournament.

"Now we have the investments for some of the sensitive areas such as the airports," Brazil Sports Minister Orlando Silva said. "We expect 600,000 international visitors and other 3 million Brazilians (traveling)."

The investments approved Monday will also help Rio de Janeiro host the 2016 Olympics.

A recent government study said Brazil will invest a total of $18 billion in infrastructure in the next few years.

Brazil opens bidding for $19 billion fast train

BRASILIA, July 13 (Reuters)

Brazil's government kicked off the bidding process for a high-speed train between its two biggest cities on Tuesday, one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects and expected to cost $19 billion.
The government set Nov. 29 as the deadline for companies to bid on the line that is to connect beach-side Rio de Janeiro and Brazil's financial center Sao Paulo.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he wanted the 280 kilometer per hour (174 mph) train to be running for the Olympics, but the completion date according to the bidding documents is in 2017 - a year after the Rio games.
The 530-km-long (329-mile) line and other massive projects are crucial for Latin America's largest economy to sustain annual growth rates above 5 percent for the next decade, Lula has said.
Critics contend the money would be better spent in creating several fast rail lines in a country that has a small passenger rail network and relies largely on badly maintained roads for transportation.
Companies from France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain and China have expressed their interest in bidding for the project, Transport Minister Paulo Sergio Passos said.
France's Alstom (ALSO.PA: Quote), Germany's Siemens (SIEGn.DE:Quote) and Japan's Mitsui & Co (8031.T: Quote) are among the possible contenders, Brazilian media has reported.
The line will be built and run on a concession basis and the government will rank bids based on the cheapest economy fare, with a maximum permitted price of 0.49 reais ($0.28) per kilometer. That would would translate into a ticket fare of about $120 for the 430 kms (270 miles) stretch between Rio and Sao Paulo.
The winner of the auction, budgeted at 33.1 billion reais ($18.9 billion) will be announced on Dec. 16.
State development bank BNDES will fund up to 60 percent of the total investment, or almost 20 billion reais.
Brazil's government will also create a Brasilia-based closed capital company, known as ETAV, to manage the project and will retain a majority share in the entity. ETAV will oversee the construction and operation of the project, as well as the transfer of technology.
The estimated travel time between Sao Paulo and Rio on the proposed bullet train is just over 1.5 hours, compared to one hour by air and six by bus. The line will also reach the city of Campinas in Sao Paulo state.
($1=1.756 reais)
(Reporting by Fernando Exman and Bruno Peres, Writing by James Matthews; Editing by Stuart Grudgings and Leslie Gevirtz)

Airline Industry

2010-07-27T08:00:00.001+10:00

Brazil's Azul May Launch IPO In 2011; Focus On Profit

SAO PAULO -(Dow Jones)- Brazilian low-cost, low-fare airline Azul Linhas Aereas SA may hold an initial public offering of shares in 2011 on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, the BMFBovespa, Azul President Pedro Janot said Tuesday.

"We can hold an IPO in 2011 or in 2012, but right now our focus is on the company's profit," Janot told reporters during a press conference in Sao Paulo.

According to the executive, the company is likely to post its first net profit this year, although he declined to provide more details.

Already Brazil's No. 3 carrier, Azul currently commands 5.43% of domestic commercial air traffic with a fleet of 18 jets.

Source: nasdaq.com

Mining

2010-07-27T07:50:00.001+10:00

Posco Invests in Australian Ore Mine, Brazilian Mill

July 16, 2010, 12:25 PM EDT

July 16 (Bloomberg) -- Posco, the world’s third-biggest steelmaker, will invest in an iron-ore project in Western Australia and in a Brazilian mill to expand markets and raw material supplies outside of South Korea.
Posco will spend 194.7 billion won ($162 million) to buy a 24.5 percent stake in the Australian Premium Iron project, the Pohang, South Korea-based company said today in a statement. It also agreed to buy about 20 percent of a steel venture planned by Vale SA, the world’s largest iron-ore producer, and Dongkuk Steel Mill Co., according to an e-mailed statement distributed today by Rio de Janeiro-based Vale.
Posco Chief Executive Officer Chung Joon Yang is building plants and investing in mines in countries including Indonesia, setting aside a record $8.7 billion for capital spending this year. Posco, which gets 70 percent of sales from the domestic market, will gain a foothold in the South American country and be able to supply the U.S. from the Brazilian venture, it said.
“The iron-ore mine investment is very positive,” Um Jin Seok, an analyst with Kyobo Securities Co., said in Seoul. “The Brazil venture is not a bad deal because Brazil is a fast- growing market. It’d be better to join an existing project instead of starting from the beginning.”
Posco rose 0.9 percent to close at 491,500 won in Seoul trading today, outperforming a 0.7 percent loss in the local benchmark Kospi index.
Increased Self-Sufficiency
The investment in the Australian project, being developed by American Metals and Coal, Coal International Inc. and Aquila Resources Ltd., will boost Posco’s self-sufficiency ratio of the material to 34 percent from 18 percent, the company said. Posco will receive 9.8 million metric tons of iron ore a year from the mine, about a fifth of its annual needs, it said.
Posco will buy its stake from American Metals, whose holding will drop to 25.5 percent. Aquila Resources will retain its 50 percent stake.
Vale’s planned steel plant in the Brazilian state of Ceara is expected to produce 3 million tons of slabs a year after completion by 2014, and may double its capacity to 6 million tons in a second phase, the Brazilian company said.
“We expect some synergy in that Posco has the world’s best expertise in terms of furnace construction and operations and we can also diversify investment funding for the project,” Kim Sun Hong, a spokesman for Seoul-based Dongkuk, said by telephone today, before Vale announced the agreement.
Murchison Stake
Posco earlier this year agreed to buy as much as 15 percent of the Roy Hill iron-ore project in Australia and a 7.8 percent stake in a coal mine in Mozambique. Posco’s Australian unit today increased its shareholding in Murchison Metals Ltd. to 13.91 percent, making it the iron ore miner’s largest shareholder.
Separately, Posco said today in a regulatory filing it will pay a mid-year dividend of 2,500 won.
Posco is ranked as the world’s third-biggest steelmaker by the World Steel Association, with ArcelorMittal and Baosteel Group Corp. rated above it. According to the American Institute for International Steel, the South Korean mill comes fourth, after ArcelorMittal, Hebei Iron & Steel Group and Baosteel.
--With assistance from Helder Marinho in Rio de Janeiro. Editors: Tan Hwee Ann, Indranil Ghosh.
To contact the reporter on this story: Sungwoo Park in Seoul at spark47@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at jpoole4@bloomberg.net; Andrew Hobbs at ahobbs4@bloomberg.net

Source: businessweek.com

Agribusiness

2010-07-27T07:40:00.001+10:00

Brazil, India to Produce Bumper Sugar Crops Next Year, ISO Says

July 14 (Bloomberg) -- Sugar production in Brazil and India, the top two producers, looks promising in the year starting October, with a possible record crop from South America, the International Sugar Organization said today.
Brazil, the largest grower, may have a record crop of about 41 million metric tons in the 2010-2011 year, compared with 36 million tons in the current year, Peter Baron, ISO’s executive director, said in an interview in Indonesia.
India may produce about 26 million tons next year and export about 500,000 tons, Baron said.
Production in China will probably increase by 20 percent to 15 million tons, Baron said. Still, the country may need to import as much as 2 million tons next season, he said.
“We may start to see price pressure in October, but it’s not a dramatic pressure,” Baron said before the 16th Asia International Sugar Conference that starts in Bali, Indonesia tomorrow.
To contact the reporter on this story: Supunnabul Suwannakij in Bangkok at ssuwannakij@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Matthew Oakley at moakley@bloomberg.net

Source: businessweek.com

Automotive

2010-07-27T07:30:00.001+10:00

Toyota to build $600 mln compact car plant in Brazil

SAO PAULO, July 15 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) said on Thursday it would invest around $600 million for a third factory in Brazil, with production set to begin in the second half of 2012.
Construction of the factory, to be located in Sorocaba, in the state of Sao Paulo, will begin in September. It will initially build 70,000 vehicles a year for the local market. Future plans include production for export, Toyota said in a statement.
Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, had purchased the land for the factory in mid-2008 with plans to produce a new compact car targeted at emerging markets. The car, still under development, will share the underpinnings of the entry-level Etios model to go on sale this year in India.
The Sorocaba factory will employ about 1,500. Toyota currently has two factories in Brazil, both in the state of Sao Paulo.
(Reporting by Cesar Bianconi in Sao Paulo and Chang-Ran Kim in Tokyo; Writing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa; Editing by Sofina Mirza-Reid)

Source: reuters.com

Events – Australia

2010-07-27T07:20:00.001+10:00

The Bolero Night

Date: Saturday, August 14th
From 7:30pm to midnight.

Australian Business Events Expo

Date: 22-JUL-10 to 23-JUL-10
Australian Events Expo builds on the heritage of Sydney on Sale and now, for the first time, Australia's largest corporate marketplace will host a truly national event with destinations, venues and suppliers from across the country on show.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

ADMA Forum

Date: 27-JUL-10 to 28-JUL-10
ADMA Forum provides a unique opportunity to check out the latest tools and technology available to boost your sales and marketing performance.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition

Date: 27-JUL-10 to 29-JUL-10
Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition is one of the world's largest exhibitions of products and services for the mining and related engineering industries. It is acknowledged as a world leader in providing innovative products and technical solutions to both the domestic and international minerals industries.
Venue: Mackay Showgrounds, Mackay, Queensland, Australi

Australian Opal Exhibition

Date: 05-AUG-10 to 06-AUG-10
Australian Opal Exhibition is a trade only exclusive opal exhibition featuring the largest range of opal and opal jewellery ever seen in the one location. The exhibition will showcase the Black opal, boulder opal, light opal, fine jewellery, fashion jewellery, collectors pieces and much more.
Venue: Gold Coast International Hotel, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Events – Brazil

2010-07-27T07:10:00.001+10:00

Chocolate Expo Brazil

Date: 22-JUL-10 to 25-JUL-10
Chocolate Expo Brazil will be held annually at Centro de Eventos Sao Luis, Sao Paulo, The festival aims to be among the top public events that brings various cultures together and satisfy those with a passion for Chocolate. Chocolate Expo Brazil will be hosted by AM3 Feiras E Promocoes.
Venue: Centro de Eventos Sao Luis, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Mec Show

Date: 28-JUL-10 to 30-JUL-10
Mec Show is one the leading trade fair in Brazil. This is the exhibition of metal, Energy and Automation Industry. This is the 3rd edition of the event which will be held between 28-30 July 2010 at Parque de Exposicoes Floriano Varejao.
Venue: Parque de Exposicoes Floriano Varejao, Serra, Espirito Santo, Brazi

Expomac

Date: 04-AUG-10 to 07-AUG-10
World's leading International exhibition for metal industry, Expomac is 4 days show which will prove to be highly effective in getting an in depth information about Metal & Minerals sector. Being convoked at Rio De Janeiro Intercontinental Hotel, the show is expected to be attend by visitors from throughout the world.
Venue: Rio De Janeiro Intercontinental Hotel, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABCC - Feed Back on Events

2010-06-21T11:00:00.000+10:00

ABCC winners of the International Chambers of Commerce World Cup 2010

32 corporate teams battled it out in a World Cup style tournament on Friday 21st May 2010. Lifespan Financial Planning sponsored the ABCC Brazil Squad composed by 3 professional Brazilian players from Brisbane and Sydney, our corporate members HSBC, Lifespan, RBA Group, SalDoce Fine Foods and former Socceroo Captain and SBS journalist Craig Foster.
After winning 6 games out of 6, Brazil played at the finals against the USA winning 4 x 0. The tournament was followed by networking drinks with special guest Mr Crispin Conroy, Australia’s Senior Trade Commissioner for Latin America.
We thank Lifespan for their support and for sending a wonderful goal keeper and thanks to all players including Rodrigo de Luca, ABCC director in Queensland.

for more photos CLICK HERE

ABCC – Forthcoming Events

2010-06-21T10:59:00.001+10:00

Boca Juniors vs Melbourne Victory

Special offer for members of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce

Boca Juniors, Latin America’s most successful football team, will play against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, 16 July 2010.
As a member of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce, you can take advantage of the following exclusive packages:

Chairman’s Function Package
Hosted by the Victory’s Chairman, Geoff Lord, this function will commence 90 minutes prior to kick off and includes pre‐function beverages, fine dining, premium wines, ales and soft drinks, post match refreshments, guest speakers and premium reserved seating. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by adult.
Price: $295 (inc. GST) per person

Chairman’s Function Package + Entry to Change Rooms
Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the change rooms prior to the match as the Boca Juniors go through their final preparations. Places limited to 20 people maximum.
Price: $595 (inc. GST) per person

The Ultimate Boca Package – Chairman’s Function + Entry to the Change Rooms + Signage
Secure a TV arc sign and have your company exposed locally and internationally through the television broadcast of the match. The game will be shown in 99 countries including Latin America and Australia, providing high visibility for your company in key markets.
Price: $3,000 (inc. GST) inclusive of function, change room visit and sign production costs

For further information, please contact Shay Nasta on shay@mpsilva.com or on +614 065 700 38

ABCC New Members

2010-06-21T10:50:00.002+10:00

The ABCC welcomes the following new members

Cornerstone International- Australia / Brazil

Lifespan Financial Planing

Gold Anomaly Limited

Macquarie Specialised Asset Management Limited

Wedgebloom Pty Ltd

Special Article from ABCC Member

2010-06-21T10:40:00.001+10:00

Gold Anomaly Limited
Sao Chico Gold Project

The Sao Chico gold project of Gold Aura Do Brasil Mineracao Ltda (GOAB), a 100% owned subsidiary of Gold Anomaly Limited, is located along the NW-SE Tocantinzinho trend which is the main mineralised zone within the Tapajos Mineral Field in Brazil. The Tapajos field was the site of the biggest gold rush in Brazilian history mainly in the late 1970’s and 1980s when approximately 500,000 garimpeiros [alluvial miners] rushed to the area to exploit extensive areas of newly discovered alluvial gold. Approximately 20-30 million ounces of gold were produced [unofficial figures] from these operations before the easily won alluvial gold deposits were largely depleted. The Garimpeiros have little expertise in underground mining and environmental considerations and were thus urged by the government to consolidate their small claims and form joint ventures with established mining companies. The area has had little exploration by modern exploration methods compared to any other equivalent gold fields in the world.

The Sao Chico project site is located adjacent to the Trans Garimpeiro Highway [unsealed] and is also serviced by light aircraft from a nearby dirt airstrip. It was the site of an alluvial gold rush and some underground mining of veins within the weathered horizon as well as limited mining in the underlying unweathered sulphide zones. Sampling of the sulphide zone vein material by GOAB has returned an average of 15 g/t gold. While gold grades and production from the uppermost weathered (supergene) zones of the veins are reported to be erratic, GOAB is targeting a grade of 20g/t from these zones. While a grade of 20g/t gold is being targeted and test work to determine if this is achievable will be undertaken, it should be noted that this grade is conceptual in nature and that there has been insufficient work undertaken to date to define a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the determination of a Mineral Resource.

GOAB’s investigations have revealed that the veins are weathered to depths of up to 10m below the alluvial cover and that the weathered veins are amenable to free digging by excavator. Metallurgical test work has indicated that recoveries in excess of 70% can be achieved by gravity concentration. The Company plans to mine the weathered vein material by open cut methods to generate a quick cash flow and to provide a better understanding of the mineralisation as part of a feasibility study for mining the underlying sulphide zone mineralisation. Work to be undertaken under the feasibility study is expected to include drilling, soil sampling, mapping, rock sampling and geophysics (Induced Polarisation).

The initial mining operation will be undertaken under an extraction permit (guia de utilização or “GUIA”) which provides for mining and processing of up to 50,000 tonnes of gold mineralised rock per year for up to two years. Over the expected strike length of the originally identified five veins (a combined length of at least 5km) it is anticipated that there is sufficient tonnage of oxide material available to sustain the operation commencing at a rate of 50 tonnes per day and increasing to 100 tonnes per day after two months. Two new veins have been discovered recently and the company considers there is excellent potential for the discovery of further gold mineralised veins.

Tailings dam capacity is available with only minimal repair works required and can be readily expanded. Repair work has been completed on the first dam in readiness for the commencement of development. There is an ample water supply available from an on-site dam and there is abundant water available from the numerous shafts developed in the area. Access is excellent as the property lies within a cleared farm area and lies along the main arterial road in the region.

Production will commence at 50 tonnes per day (“tpd”) as an open pit operation on the weathered veins at the targeted gold grade of 20g/t. Expansion to 100tpd is planned within 2 months of commencement (resulting in an expected production of some 2,000 ounces per month). Recovery will be via gravity concentration and an integrated state of the art pressure jig system was ordered from Gekko Systems of Ballarat in Australia. This plant was shipped from Melbourne on 1st June and is expected to arrive in Brazil 15th July 2010. After customs clearance, the plant will be transported to site and installed. Site preparation for the plant arrival has been commenced. After commissioning of the plant, it is expected that gold production will be commenced in the second half of august.

Read more

Economy

2010-06-21T10:30:00.000+10:00

Brazil lifts rate to 10.25%, meeting expectations
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch)

Brazilian monetary policy makers late Wednesday voted unanimously to raise the country's key interest rate to 10.25% from 9.5%. The decision met widely held expectations. The bank said in an accompanying statement that it will continue the process of adjusting monetary conditions to ensure the convergence of inflation to its target. The bank started its latest rate-tightening campaign in April by lifting the Selic rate from the historic low of 8.75%. Earlier Wednesday, the country's Census Bureau reported a 0.43% rise in May consumer prices from April, below the Dow Jones Newswires estimate for a rise of 0.46%. Annual inflation now stands at 5.22%, above the central bank's target of 4.5%.

Source: marketwatch.com

Mining

2010-06-21T10:20:00.000+10:00

Brazil May Cut Steel Duties to Curb Inflation, Mantega Says
By Andre Soliani
June 11 (Bloomberg)

Brazil may scrap duties on steel imports in a bid to contain inflation after wholesale prices rose the most in two years, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said.

“If an industry exaggerates when increasing prices, it knows what will happen -- we will lower the import tariff,” Mantega, 61, said in an interview at the Bloomberg office in Sao Paulo yesterday. “What concerns us the most is steel, because it has an impact on the economy as a whole.”

Inflation has been running above the government’s 4.5 percent target since January, as the fastest growth in 15 years raises concern that Latin America’s biggest economy may be overheating. Wholesale prices, as measured by the IPA index, jumped 2.06 percent last month, up from 0.68 percent in April, fueled by the cost of iron ore and steel.

Mantega didn’t provide details about the plans to cut the maximum 14 percent duty on steel imports. The final decision lies with the foreign trade chamber. Over the past year, the federal government commission has reduced tariffs on 16 products, including sardines, palm oil and beer cans, as local producers struggle to meet surging demand.

Steel mills are resisting efforts by iron-ore suppliers including Rio de Janeiro-based Vale SA to raise third-quarter contract prices after steel prices fell 10 percent from an 18-month high on April 15.

Vale, the world’s biggest supplier of iron ore, won a 90 percent price increase for April quarter contracts after it dropped a 40-year custom of setting annual prices.

Source: businessweek.com

Oil & Gas

2010-06-21T10:00:00.000+10:00

Petrobras Gets Brazil’s Congress Approval to Swap Shares for Oil
By Maria Luiza Rabello
June 10 (Bloomberg)

Brazilian Senators approved today a bill that allows state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA to issue new shares in exchange for the rights to explore government-owned oil reserves off Brazil’s coast.
Petrobras, as the company is known, plans to buy up to 5 billion barrels of oil with new stock and raise up to $25 billion from minority investors in the Western Hemisphere’s largest share sale in more than a decade. The sale will help fund as much as $220 billion of spending through 2014, the world’s biggest oil-industry investment program.
Source: businessweek.com

Agribusiness

2010-06-21T09:50:00.000+10:00

Sugar Rises on Demand Before Festivals, Brazil Crop Speculation
By Claudia Carpenter
June 9 (Bloomberg)

Sugar rose to a two-week high in London and extended gains in New York on increased demand before festivals and speculation that supplies may slow from Brazil, the world’s biggest producer of the sweetener.
There is “heightened demand” as wholesalers build sugar stockpiles before festivals including Ramadan in August, said James Kirkup, director and head of the sugar brokerage at Fortis Bank Nederland in London. Prices rose yesterday after Switzerland-based researcher Kingsman SA reported that some traders are betting on a slowdown in supplies from Brazil.
“There is no question that Brazil got a running start” as processors this year were still working through sugar cane left over from last year, Kirkup said by phone. “The focus has to be on the ongoing crush hitting targets.”
White, or refined, sugar for August delivery climbed $8.90, or 1.8 percent, to $496.10 a metric ton at 12:16 p.m. London time on the Liffe exchange and earlier rose to $499, the highest price since May 26. Raw sugar futures for July delivery jumped 2.2 percent to 15.21 cents a pound on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.
Buyers are interested in 50,000 tons of raw sugar from Brazil, according to a Fortis report today.
Source: businessweek.com

Information Technology

2010-06-21T09:40:00.000+10:00

HCL sets up its first unit in Brazil

NEW DELHI: India’s fifth largest IT outsourcer HCL Technologies on Wednesday anounced that it has setup its first centre in Latin American market at Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil for servicing customers in Portuguese.

The company has already hired about 150 local citizens conversant in both Portuguese and Spanish. They will provide helpdesk support for HCL customers across Latin America and Europe.

The facility will specialise in helpdesk support for network monitoring, information security and data centre managment, as part of the Infrastructure Services Devision of HCL Technologies. The facility will also provide global support for telecom and mainframe customers worldwide.

Brazil is the largest domestic market in Latin America and boasts of a mature IT industry accounting for over 50% of the IT spend in the region. The Brazilian IT export market is over $3 billion.

“HCL Technologies’ growing presence in Brazil is strongly influenced by the region’s rapidly growing economy, expansion of multinational companies in the market and the increasing globalization of Brazilian corporations. This is our first individial setup, besides an Axon facility in Peurto Rico which we got as part of Axon buyout,” said R Srikrishna, Executive Vice President at HCL Technologies Infrastructure Services Division.

All large Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro now have large operations in Latin America. TCS Iberoamerica employs over 6,000 people in the continent across eight centres spanning Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Education

2010-06-21T09:30:00.000+10:00

Scholarship Opportunities for Brazilian Students

The Australian Leadership Awards, consisting of Scholarships and Fellowships, come under the umbrella of the Australia Awards. The Australia Awards aim to promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia and our neighbors through Australia’s extensive scholarship programs.

The Australian Government’s Agency for International Development (AusAID) provides a range of study and professional development awards to promote sustainable development.

An ALA Masters Scholarship, taken over two years can be valued at up to A$150,000.

An ALA Doctorate Scholarship, taken over four years can be valued up to A$300,000.

The amounts above include the following benefits and support:

Contribution to living expenses: A$26,800 per year for 2009 and reviewed annually

Leadership Development Program with a value of A$17,000

Tuition fees

Establishment Allowance on arrival: A$5,000

Introductory Academic Program (IAP): A$2,000

An annual, cumulative Study Enrichment Allowance (SEA) to contribute towards activities such as field research, academic support, conference participation or reunion travel costs: A$2,000 per year

Return air travel to and from Australia

The cost of health checks and visa applications prior to departure to Australia

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for scholar only).

ALA Scholarships are offered to leaders or potential leaders from all sectors to undertake postgraduate study (Masters or Doctorate) at an Australian university. Study programs must relate to a priority development area such as disability, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development or water & sanitation.

Scholars also undertake an extensive leadership development program in Australia which may include a short work placement.

Applications are considered annually on a regionally AusAID prefers applications to be submitted online via its competitive basis. Selection is based on leadership qualities, academic merit and, most importantly, potential contribution to the development of applicants’ countries or regions upon return. Australian High Commissions and Embassies consider applications and recommend short-listed candidates to a final selection committee in Canberra. AusAID prefers online applications.online application system. However, hardcopy applications are accepted and may be mailed to the appropriate Australian High Commission/Embassy or Managing Contractor.

Application forms can be downloaded from the ALA Scholarship page on the AusAID website or sought from the Australian High Commission/Embassy in each eligible country.

How to apply:

Obtain an unconditional offer of admission to a postgraduate study program from a participating institution.

Review the contents of the ALA Scholarships Handbook to ensure that you understand the scope of the Scholarship. The Handbook can be found at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/pdf/ala_handbook.pdf or obtained from your local Australian High Commission/Embassy or Managing Contractor.

Download the application form (and the paper-based application form if necessary) and other relevant documents from the ALA Scholarships webpage (see below).

Gather the required documentation and information. Note Submit or mail your application to ensure it arrives at the that it could take two months to compile the application appropriate location by 30 July.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES IN LATIN AMERICA

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Costa Rica

Contact email for Latin America: ivan.pena@dfat.gov.au

MORE INFORMATION

The information provided here is only part of the information that you need to consider before applying. For comprehensive information about the ALA Scholarships and application process please visit: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/default.cfm

Art & Culture

2010-06-21T09:20:00.000+10:00

Exploring our links with Brazil
Kerry-Anne Cousins
Connections – Brazil and Australia
Gallery of Australia Design, 44 Parkes Place, Parkes. Until June 19.

Did you know that Captain Arthur Phillip brought the prickly pear to Australia from Brazil? The plant provided a habitat for the insect which, when crushed produce cochineal which was used to dye the red coats of the English soldiers.
This is just one snippet of fascinating information brought to light by the exhibition at the Gallery of Australian Design that investigates the connections between Brazil and Australia. The project is a joint partnership between the Embassy of Brazil and the University of Canberra with input from other institutions, companies and academics.
The exhibition offers tantalising glimpses of the wealth of material available to the curators. It has been cleverly divided into digestible sections.
Brazil and Australia were part of the same supercontinent 167 million years ago and thus, as the exhibition points out, share similar fauna and flora. The movement of the tectonic plates that caused the continents to drift apart over millions of years is reduced to a series of graphics and to a display video that splendidly produces this effect in a matter of seconds. One highlight of this section on Gondwanaland is the beautiful photograph by Jim Frazier of a fossilised fruiting cone from a species of plants common to both South America and Australia.
Rio de Janeiro was important during the very early days of the settlement of the east coast of Australia. Ships called in there for fresh supplies of food on their way across the Atlantic ocean. Arthur Phillip received a warm welcome when he sailed into Rio with the First Fleet in 1787. He had spent some time seconded to the Portuguese navy and had visited Brazil a few years earlier when he was befriended by the Governor of Brazil, the Marques do Lavradio.
Early European artists who sailed into Rio de Janeiro were captivated by its exoticism. They included the well travelled August Earle (1793-1838).
In a watercolour painting of c.1822, Earle depicts himself in a romantic pose high on Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio, exclaiming at the wondrous view of the harbour laid out before him.
Commerce and environmental sustainability is also an important link between our countries – eucalyptus trees from Australia now provide timber for a big forestry program. An Australian delegation attended the United Nations conference on the environment and development which Brazil hosted in 1992 and which was the first world environment summit.
However, what may have special appeal to Canberra visitors is the link between our capital city and the Brazilian capital Brasilia. Both cities of vision, planned by architects to incorporate modernist principles of architecture and urban planning. Both cities are “cities of the automobile” with wide avenues and generous expanses of space surrounding public buildings.
In Brasilia, “Super Quadra” apartment building were designed to be an architectural symbol of equality for all residents. Super Quadras all followed a generic floor plan and each formed the side of a square with and inner open public space.
In the 1970s, my husband and I lived in Supra Quadra South (SQS) 114 on the southern wing or “asa” of the city and, despite the concept of an egalitarian ethos, we were envied because our Super Quadra had grass and trees.
As with many planned cities, Brasilia, in its early days, was not a city many people loved. It was too vast, too different from the human scale of architecture found in Rio and other Brazilian cities.
Living there in the 1970s, I was alienated by the sweep that seemed cold and overpowering. I felt imprisoned in its formulaic Super Quadras, which were bounded by and uncrossable super highway.
Only in the beautiful cathedral of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, with its flying angel suspended from its glass roof, did I feel in harmony with the architecture.
There is, however, a delightful photograph in the exhibition of young street sellers plying their wares near one of these monumental buildings. It illustrates that the passage of time, the exuberance and warmth of the Brazilian people and the growth of nature in tropical Brazil have humanised and appropriated this architectural landscape.
This successful exhibition brings Brazil a little closer to us and makes us think again about the links that join us to this vast and complex nation that played no small part in the early days of colonial Australia.
There is also a series of seminar in connection with this exhibition. Visit gad.org.au for deails.

Special News from Queensland

2010-06-21T09:19:00.000+10:00

Premier appoints new trade commissioner to the Americas

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
16/06/2010

Premier Anna Bligh has announced the appointment of a new Trade Commissioner to the Americas and outlined a new push into Latin American for the position.

Ms Bligh said Chris Rodwell had accepted the position having worked as Queensland Director at peak industry representative organisation, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), since early 2007.

Mr Rodwell will replace former Premier Peter Beattie in the Trade Commissioner role after the former Premier announced his retirement in May following a record year for the LA office.

The Premier said Mr Rodwell will initially be based in Los Angeles before moving to Latin America for the remainder of his three year term.

"Trade and Investment Commissioners play a vital role in advocating for our State overseas and I can think of no better representative than Chris Rodwell," she said.

"In his role at Ai Group Chris has represented Queensland industry to the Queensland Government.

"He was also a member of our 'Jobs Squad' during the Global Financial Crisis. He is our top pick to represent Queensland in the vital markets of the Americas."

Mr Rodwell said the Americas represented a rich opportunity for Queensland companies.

"There are significant growth opportunities for our State in the region and I'm looking forward to the significant challenge of building on those opportunities," he said.

"In Latin America in particular we have major opportunities to extend the presence of Queensland's mining services and agribusiness sectors. Across the region our prospects in clean energy, urban planning and design, tourism and biotech, to name a few, are also significant.

"Over the past few years I've spent plenty of time supporting the interests of Queensland businesses and have strong relationships with a number of the CEOs of our best performing export businesses. It will be a privilege to support their interests in such a vibrant region whilst also coaxing and coaching new entrants into the market.

"As the most innovative state in Australia, the brand of Queensland is all about seizing the opportunity and applying smarter ways of doing business. I'm looking forward to communicating that message across the Americas and especially furthering the important work of the current team in extending our presence in Latin America."

Queensland recently announced trade representation in the emerging economic powerhouses of Brazil and Chile and signed new agreements with Colombia and Peru during recent trade missions by the Premier and Treasurer Andrew Fraser.

Events – Australia

2010-06-21T09:10:00.000+10:00

BRACCA's Festa Junina

The time is here again!!!!
Typical Festa Junina square dancing, Brazilian Culinary delicacies and
much more!!!
The Festa Junina is a traditional country party held in Brazil in June. Here in Sydney, the Brazilian Community Council of Australia has been putting on this great cultural day on for many years.
Come along and enjoy a family fun day out!

BRACCA's Festa Junina
Sunday 20 Jun 2010
From 11am

Fraser Park - 100 Marrickville Road, Marrickville (2 minutes walk from
Sydenham Train Station)
ONLY $5 at the door (free for children 12 and under)

Brazilian band, Trio Faiscada will be playing our typical Festa Junina music, the kiddies can enjoy the KindiFarm and we're planning on having a jumping castle too! Lots of food and happy faces.

Hope to see you all there!

BRACCA is a volunteer run non-for-profit association.

Primex

Date: 17-JUN-10 to 19-JUN-10

Primex is the largest commercial exhibition in northern New South Wales, covering almost every aspect of primary industry in Australia. Primex is located centrally to all major business districts providing easy access to all the visitors, specially from New South Wales and Queensland. The diversity of industry coverage makes Primex unique. It features a range of equipment, services and technology.
Venue: Casino Exhibition Centre, Casino, New South Wales, Australia

FoodService & Bakery Australia

Date: 21-JUN-10 to 23-JUN-10

FoodService & Bakery Australia is the only national trade show dedicated to the foodservice industry. It provides you with the perfect opportunity to connect with a diverse group of buyers. This is an ideal environment to generate new sales, maintain and service existing clients and use the show to introduce new products, services or special promotions.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Events – Brazil

2010-06-21T09:00:00.000+10:00

FEICORTE

Date: 15-JUN-10 to 19-JUN-10

International Meat Production Chain, the largest chain of indoor beef cattle industry in the world, stands out as the main showcase of the industry, reference quality, research, technology, equipment, products and services.
Venue: Centro de Exposicoes Imigrantes, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Quimica & Petroquimica

Date: 21-JUN-10 to 24-JUN-10

Quimica & Petroquimica is an international trade fair of the Chemical and Petrochemical Industry Suppliers. The show is an unique opportunity, in South America, which will gather the products/services for the chemical industry specific public: food, cosmetics, agricultural defensive, pharmaceuticals, personal care, petrochemical, inks, and enamels, among others.
Venue: Anhembi Palacio das Convencoes, Sao Paulo, Brazil

ABCC – Forthcoming Events

2010-05-17T11:00:00.003+10:00

International Chambers of Commerce World Cup Tournament

In 2010, Football (Soccer) Fever will take over Australia in the build up to the greatest sporting show on Earth – The FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa...
But why should the Socceroos have all the fun? The ABCC with Football Development Australia and many International Chambers of Commerce is giving 32 corporate teams the opportunity to represent their country in the “2010 International Chambers of Commerce World Cup” soccer tournament.

The winners will lift an exact replica of the World Cup trophy and all participants are invited to network at the event After Party.
The ABCC sponsored by Lifespan Financial Planning is putting the BRAZIL TEAM together and inviting you to play or nominate a player from your company to represent Brazil.
The ABCC TEAM CAPTAIN is former socceroo CRAIG FOSTER (SBS’s sports presenter and Chief Football Analyst). You will have the chance to play with Craig and other professional players like Francis Awaritefe and Felipe Andrade, former Santos FC junior player.
WHEN & WHERE
Friday 21st May from 1pm-5pm
Centennial Park, Sydney.
Followed by: “World Cup After Party”
5.30pm to late, at Bungalow 8, King Street Wharf
ABCC BRAZIL FOOTBALL SQUAD:
Captain: Craig Foster
Sponsor: Frevos - Lifespan Financial Planning
Players: You will be playing with former socceroo Craig Foster, professional players like Francis Awaritefe and Felipe Andrade, and other ABCC members.
Other squads taking part at the Tournament: Argentina, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Australia, USA, Portugal, South Africa, England, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Sweden, Ireland, France, Chile , Spain, Austria, South Korea, Japan and Holland
PLAYERS REGISTRATION FEE:
Registration per player is A$ 120.00 and includes all the following:
Full Nike playing strips (jersey, shorts & socks, valued at $90 per person)
Tournament Event Management
One hour Pre-Tournament Training Session with Professional Coaching team,valued at $250
Hydration
2 free drinks per person (2x beer vouchers) at the event After Party
To register contact the ABCC on: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au. As the squad is limited to 12 people, please RSVP as soon as possible (first in, first serve!).

Connections Brazil-Australia Exhibition

The Embassy of Brazil and the University of Canberra are inviting all ABCC members and friends to an exhibition at the Gallery for Australian Design from 5 May to 19 June 2010, under the auspices of the Embassy of Brazil and COALAR, and the support of the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce, the University of Queensland, the Australian Academy of Sciences as well as HSBC, JBS Swift, BHP Billiton and QANTAS.
The exhibition is intended to contribute to the mutual understanding of Brazil and Australia and to strengthen our cultural, economic and social links. It features connections on geology, environment (fauna and flora); history (sea voyages) and especially the architecture and design of the cities of Canberra and Brasilia.
A public program of lectures and film screenings, involving speakers from Brazil and Australia, will run through the exhibition, with public figures and leading thinkers providing insights to elements of themes in the exhibition, such as Prof Vernon (UWA) who will deliver a lecture on Canberra and Brasilia at the opening night.

To download the catalogue click HERE

Calendar of events surrounding the exhibition:
Seminar 5-May Prof Christopher Vernon School of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, Uni of Western Australia; title: Design Dialogues: Canberra and Brasilia
Seminar 12-May Prof Robert Hill, Uni of Adelaide, title: Southern Connections - Flora from Gondwanaland
Seminar 19-May Prof Arthur Georges, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science, Uni of Canberra; title: Amazonian widlife
Film 6pm 26-May Latin American Film Festival The Australian National University; title: Abril Despedaçado
Seminar 2-Jun Prof Andrew Roberts, Director RSES, ANU; title: Real or imagined - the mystery of shifting continents
Seminar 9-Jun Mr Paul Brunton Senior Curator Mitchell Library NSW; title: Arthur Phillip - Rio and Sydney
Seminar 16-Jun HE Ambassador Barreto: title: Connections - past and future

ABCC New Members

2010-05-17T10:50:00.002+10:00

The ABCC welcomes the following new members:
Ricardo J Hora – Accendo Education
Kel Lupis – RBA Group

New Members Profile

2010-05-17T10:40:00.002+10:00

Accendo Education
New South Wales

Accendo Education is the brain child of 3 Brazilians, resident in Sydney, who identified the need to offer quality English language education to foreign students, as well as offer Portuguese and Spanish classes to Australian residents, mainly focusing on Corporate clients who have business interests in South America and wish to become familiar with language and cultural aspects of those countries.
Accendo Education shares a special partneship with CCLS Corporation (Cultural Center for Language Studies), whose sucessful methodology and materials are used in over 800 language schools worldwide. This unique advantage, allows Accendo Education to use a proven teaching system that has helped thousands of students across the world to learn and master languages fast and effectively. Now, with CCLS' doors open as Accendo Education "Down Under", students will be able to join this global network of language development.
Accendo promotes quality education and shares the following values:

Enlighten individual

Educate easily and with relevance

Expand insight

Ignite your future

Accendo Education will be located at Level 8, 200 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
English classes are expected to start from 01 November 2010.
Portuguese and Spanish Corporate classes may be arranged upon client request, at any time prior to this date. We will design a course to match clients requirements.
Accendo will also offer professional education in areas of Project Management and IT Service Management.
Further information can be requested via e-mail: info@accendoeducation.com.au

RBA Group
New South Wales

More than 1,000 Bathroom Accessories and Plumbing Products ship each week from the high-tech, well-stocked warehouses of RBA Group, supplier of Australia's largest-selling commercial bathroom range.
Headquartered in Sydney NSW, RBA Group has branches in Melbourne & Brisbane, which are supported by 2 warehouse facilities and a light assembly/sheet metal fabrication plant. The company also imports Australian Standards approved premium quality products from Germany, Italy, USA & New Zealand.
The RBA Group brands dominate their market and, in terms of recognition and market penetration, are among the most successful in the world. Bobrick, Acorn, KoalaKare, AVAC, Exeloo, Kristallux & AquaRotter are all part of the RBA Group Family of Products.
RBA Group was established in 1990 as an agent for the Bobrick brand of Commercial Bathroom Equipment. Since then, the company has moved from strength to strength to develop its reputation as the key supplier for commercial bathroom equipment to the Australian market.
We are now market leaders in Timed Water Control, Vacuum Drainage Systems, Soap Systems, Stainless Steel Toilets, Commercial Bathroom Accessories and Baby Change Equipment.
Anything from a school, prison, office tower, or nightclub fit-out, our range of Stainless Steel equipment offers designers that elusive combination of industrial strength and sleek aesthetics.

Feedback on the visit by Queensland Government to Brazil

2010-05-17T10:30:00.001+10:00

Queensland wins after investment in Latin America
By Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development, The Honourable Andrew Fraser
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Belo Horizonte: Queensland´s position as the most proactive State doing business in Latin America is reaping results with the signing of three major agreements today in government, business and education.
Queensland engineering company, Austin Engineering, today signed on to a new joint venture business partnership in Brazilian mining State, Minas Gerais, where the company will commit $US15 million over the next two years.
At the signing in Brazil, Mr Fraser said that Austin Engineering’s new agreement with Delp Engenharia - a company supplying engineering services to the resource sector in Belo Horizonte for more than 40 years - was just one example of the growing trade links between Queensland and Latin America.
“Latin America is the new Asia and Brazil is the powerhouse economy of the region,” Mr Fraser said.
“Austin Engineering is a great example of a company that has built its experience in Queensland and is now finding success on a global scale.
“We strongly support new business opportunities like this because it’s good for Queensland jobs and the economy – one in five jobs are underpinned by trade-related activity.”
Mr Fraser is in city of Belo Horizonte in the mining region of Minas Gerias leading a trade delegation which also includes Chile, Peru and Columbia.
After inspecting the Delp manufacturing facility in Belo Horizonte, Mr Fraser also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the University of Queensland and the Minas Gerias state agency for research at the Federal University of Minas Gerias.
Backing the agreement is a $US 2 million (AU $2.15 million) commitment towards new research, with a particular focus on water research.
Mr Fraser also renewed a Statement of Intent with the Minas Gerias Government at a ceremony attended by five senior Ministers – the cooperation agreement focuses on mining, education and training and sharing research.
“Over the past decade Brazil has risen from being our 18th largest export market to our ninth and growing,” Mr Fraser said.
“Merchandise exports have increased by a massive 66 per cent in two years – worth more than $1.1 billion last financial year.
“Only last week, the IMF revised 2010 growth figures for Brazil up to 5.5 per cent from 3.5 per cent.
“I´ve seen first-hand how this economy is powering ahead and what we are seeing today is Queensland companies and institutions benefitting from our strong links with this region.”
Source: cabinet.qld.gov.au

Queensland to extend trade representation to Brazil
By Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development, The Honourable Andrew Fraser
Monday, April 26, 2010

Belo Horizonte: Queensland will be the first Australian State to establish trade representation in the emerging economic powerhouse of Brazil as part of the effort to boost export and investment links in Latin America.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser announced today that the Government will appoint a new, Queensland trade representative in Brazil within the next 18 months.
“Queensland is the most active Australian State in Latin America – we want to keep it that way because it’s helping to open doors for Queensland business, and that’s good for Queensland’s economy and local jobs,” Mr Fraser said.
“Today’s announcement means we will be doubling our representation in Latin America, firstly with a representative in Santiago, Chile this year, followed by a representative in Brazil next year.
“Brazil's growing position as an economic powerhouse and as the largest economy in Latin America, offers strong business opportunities and potential for increased trade,” Mr Fraser said.
“Over the past decade, Brazil has risen from being Queensland’s 18th largest merchandise export market to become our 9th largest market. Brazil received merchandise exports from Queensland worth more than $1.1 billion in 2008/09 – representing a 66 per cent increase in just two years.
“Latin America is a vast region with unique requirements for doing business, not the least being the need for buyers and investors to have access to a local contact with strong language and business skills.
“Permanent, on-the-ground representation in Brazil will be key to growing Queensland’s trade and investment links with Latin America, following up and supporting the work already being done by our Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Americas based in Los Angeles,” Mr Fraser said.
Brazil has a diversified economy which is ranked 10th largest in the world, and there are potential opportunities for Queensland exporters in coming years - particularly with the activity in the lead-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Mr Fraser is currently leading a 30-member trade mission to Latin America including Chile, Peru, Brazil and Colombia.
Further recognising the importance of Latin America to future growth of Queensland’s exports, Mr Fraser also announced in Chile the placement of a Queensland Government trade representative in the Austrade office in Santiago earlier this week as a new resource for the State’s companies and organisations in Latin America.
Source: cabinet.qld.gov.au

Oil & Gas

2010-05-17T10:20:00.002+10:00

Petrobras enters Australia via MEO JV
April 14, 2010

BRAZILIAN national oil giant Petrobras will make its first Australian foray by paying up to $US80 million to take a 50 per cent stake in an exploration permit offshore Western Australia.

The deal, which could involve more milestone payments to the Brazilian's partner MEO Australia, will give Petrobras a foothold in an Australian gas market that's fast developing into a major global export player, thanks largely to sustained demand for energy from fast-growing Asian economies.
MEO has been searching for a partner to help it develop its acreage in the Carnarvon Basin, located on Australia's gas-rich North West Shelf, for over a year and market watchers had suspected that Petrobras could be in the running.
Its Artemis prospect could contain up to 12 trillion cubic feet of gas, according to MEO. That would be more than enough to support a stand-alone liquefied natural gas export project, or provide a bountiful third party gas supply source to other LNG projects in the area.
Exploration success, however, isn't guaranteed and MEO got disappointing results from its first exploration well there, Zeus-1, early in 2009.
Petrobras will buy 50 per cent of the permit WA-360-P by funding up to $US41m of the first well's costs, paying MEO $US31.5m cash and covering about $US7.5m of MEO's share of previous costs, adding up to $US80m in total.
In the event of a successful discovery, Petrobras will pay for two follow-up wells to a cap of $US62m and another $US31.5m cash to MEO in January 2011, MEO said in a statement.
MEO will remain operator until completion of the first well, Artemis-1, and then Petrobras has the option to assume operatorship.
An option has been secured over a drilling rig to drill the first well in late 2010, MEO said.
Petrobras' investment had been held up after a minority holder in the exploration permit, Cue Energy Resources, requested changes to some of the deal's provisions.
MEO said today that Petrobras taking 50 per cent of the permit will reduce its holding to 20 per cent. Cue and Moby Oil & Gas will retain their 15 per cent holdings, MEO said.
Source:theaustralian.com.au

Ecopetrol Looks to Expand in Brazil, Buys Hess Stake
May 07, 2010, 10:47 AM EDT
By Peter Millard

May 7 (Bloomberg) -- Ecopetrol SA, Colombia’s state-run oil company, is looking to expand in Brazil to boost production after buying a 30 percent stake in an offshore block from Hess Corp., said an Ecopetrol official.
Ecopetrol, based in Bogota, received approval from Brazil’s petroleum regulator to buy half of Hess’s 60 percent stake in the BM-ES-30 block in Brazil’s Espirito Santo offshore basin, oil regulator ANP said today on its website. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed. Spain’s Repsol YPF SA owns the remaining 40 percent of the concession.
“We are evaluating all the opportunities that may come along,” Francisco Celso Ponte, Ecopetrol’s exploration manager for Brazil, said in a telephone interview from Rio de Janeiro. “We continue looking.”
Ecopetrol plans to spend $6.9 billion this year to almost double output to 1 million barrels of oil per day in 2015 from last year. International oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp. are exploring Brazilian offshore areas, where state-run oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA discovered Tupi, the Americas’ largest crude find since 1976.
Drilling Timetable
Hess, the fifth-biggest U.S. oil company, will continue to run the deepwater block’s operations, Ponte said. Hess found noncommercial quantities of hydrocarbons last year in an exploration well in the area, Gregory Hill, Hess’s president of worldwide exploration and production, said Oct. 28.
Hess, based in New York, and its partners haven’t yet made a decision on the timetable to drill a second exploration well, Ponte said. The contract gives the companies two years to decide on a drilling site, he said.
“We will continue with the exploration plan and we are evaluating the block,” Ponte said.
Ecopetrol is seeking to purchase assets and form ventures in Brazil as part of its expansion plan, Ecopetrol Chief Executive Officer Javier Gutierrez said last month in an interview. Ecopetrol has minority stakes at blocks in Brazil’s Campos, Santos and Para Maranhao basins.
Source: businessweek.com

Agribusiness

2010-05-17T10:10:00.001+10:00

Brazil Farmers Drill for Fertilizer to Sidestep Vale
May 07, 2010, 5:33 PM EDT
By Lucia Kassai

May 7 (Bloomberg) -- Farmers in Brazil have teamed up to drill an area the size of New York for phosphate-based fertilizers, seeking to cut dependency on producers including Vale SA and Mosaic Co. after prices surged.
Farm groups representing about 4,500 soybean and cotton producers in Brazil bought drilling equipment worth about 500,000 reais ($270,000) to prospect for phosphate on 80,000 hectares (197,700 acres) in the center-western state of Mato Grosso. They plan to expand prospecting to another 400,000 hectares and drill 300 to 400 holes in the next 30 days, said Gilson Pinesso, the head of the project.
Mosaic and Vale, which agreed in January to pay $3.8 billion for Bunge’s fertilizer assets in Brazil, control 45 percent of the country’s fertilizer production, said Carlos Florence, the Fertilizer Distributors Association’s managing director. Phosphate prices have more than doubled in six years to about $266 a ton, Florence said by telephone from Sao Paulo.
“Farmers are in the hands of those companies,” Pinesso, owner of eight farms in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, said in a May 4 interview in Sao Paulo. “We want our independence.”
The Mato Grosso Soybean Producers Association and the Mato Grosso Cotton Producers Association formed an exploration company, hired two geologists and 20 other people to conduct the prospecting, Pinesso said.
“We are looking for phosphate, but we may even run into gold here,” Pinesso said, while checking for soybean future prices on his iPhone. He was referring to the history of the state of Mato Grosso, which was developed after a gold rush in the 18th century.
Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugar and coffee and the second-biggest for soybeans, trailing the U.S.
Source: businessweek.com

Food & Beverage

2010-05-17T10:00:00.001+10:00

Bud brewer AB InBev gets huge Q1 Brazil boost
BRUSSELS, May 5 (Reuters)

World No. 1 brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI.BR) earned more than expected in the first quarter of 2010 as beer sales surged in booming Brazil and forecast stronger growth in the second half of the year.
The brewer of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's said on Wednesday core profit (EBITDA) rose a like-for-like 5.1 percent in January-March to $3.09 billion, beating a forecast for $2.98 billion in a Reuters poll.
AB InBev had previously forecast a low single-digit percentage rise due to a U.S. market hit by bad weather, a tripling of beer tax in Russia, and higher emerging market commodity prices.
The company's shares opened down, but surged to a three-week high by late morning. At 1440 GMT, they were up 2.5 percent at 36.995 euros, making them the second-strongest in the FTSEurofirst 300 index of Europe's leading stocks .FTEU3.
Analysts said the initial weakness was due to concerns about non-recurring items, which left net profit lower than expected, but a bullish mood about sales in Brazil, where it brews Brahma and Skol, eventually prevailed.
"Brazil was amazingly strong," said Gerard Rijk of ING.
Trevor Stirling of Bernstein Research said AB InBev had got a three percentage point gain from raising its market share in Brazil, the rest largely from vibrant industry expansion.
Overall, the company sold 0.8 percent more barrels, cans and bottles, with a 15.9 percent surge in Brazil, where it has two-thirds of the market, partly offset by a 6.8 percent fall in the United States, where it accounts for half of all beer sales.
AB InBev said volume growth in the second quarter would be in line with that of the first. EBITDA growth would be lower, largely due to marketing costs for the soccer World Cup starting in June, for which Budweiser is the official beer.
"We continue to expect third quarter volume and EBITDA growth above first half levels, increasing further in the fourth quarter," Chief Financial Officer Felipe Dutra told a conference call.
AB InBev, which announced on Tuesday its Bud Light would take over sponsorship of the U.S. National Football League in 2011, said volume comparisons would be easier in the second half, particularly in the United States.
Source: reuters.com

Automotive

2010-05-17T09:50:00.001+10:00

Brazil car export surge helps boost April output
SAO PAULO, May 6 (Reuters)

Automobile output in Brazil jumped in April from a year earlier as automakers ramped up production to meet a surge in demand in export and domestic markets, the national automakers' association Anfavea said on Thursday.
Output jumped 14.2 percent in April from a year earlier to 290,000 units, helped by plentiful credit for new vehicle purchases in Brazil. Exports surged 56.6 percent year-on-year to $917 million, underscoring a nascent rebound in the global economy that has revived demand for cars.
Still, output in April tumbled 14.6 percent from March as carmakers adjusted production after government tax breaks expired in Brazil. Sales in April dropped 21.5 percent from March, but were up 18.6 percent from a year earlier, Anfavea said.
Source: reuters.com

Sustainability

2010-05-17T09:40:00.001+10:00

Globe Award 2010: Brazilian city Curitiba awarded the Globe Sustainable City Award 2010
Apr 07, 2010 12:41 CEST

The Brazilian city Curitiba wins the Globe Sustainable City Award 2010. The city of Curitiba is awarded for excellent sustainable urban development. The Globe Award statuette will be presented to representatives from the City of Curitiba on April 29th at a gala dinner at the Nordic Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.
The Globe Sustainable City Award is now presented for the second year. The aim of the City Award is to underline cities and municipalities, which excel in sustainable urban development, and to set a positive example for others. The general mission of the Globe Sustainability Awards is to highlight and acknowledge particular cases and initiatives within the sustainability area.
“The City of Curitiba shows maturity in their understanding of sustainable city development – both regarding policy and implementation. The holistic approach is well framed and managed in order to create a strong and healthy community, integrating the environmental dimension with other dimensions like intellectual, cultural, economic and social", the jury states in it’s motivation
The competition was hard and the runners-up were sustainable cities like Malmoe in Sweden, Murcia in Spain, Songpa in South Korea, Stargard Szczecinski in Poland (the winner of the Globe Award Polish Edition 2009) and Sydney in Australia.
"I congratulate Curitiba to the prestigious award for most sustainable city 2010. It is a very solid winner with a holistic municipal master plan integrating all strategic resources linked to innovation and future sustainability", says jury group Chairman Jan Sturesson, World Economic Forum in the Global Agenda Council "future of Government" and Partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Curitiba city will be awarded at a prestigious gala dinner at the Nordic Museum in Stockholm, Sweden on April 29, held in connection to the Globe Forum sustainability conference on April 28-29th in Stockholm. The Globe Sustainabilty Awards have been given out since 2007 in four cathegories: Sustainable research, innovation, reporting and cities. For more information about the other Globe Award winners see http://www.globeaward.org/.
About the winner:
Curitiba, Brazil – Municipal Master Plan indicates reorganization of the urban territory, considering drainage basins as basic planning units, institutional strengthening, seeking the development of transversality in planning and environmental management processes as well as changes in production and consumption standards, reducing costs and waste. http://www.curitiba.pr.gov.br/

Culture

2010-05-17T09:30:00.001+10:00

A cross cultural exchange of ideas and creativity

The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts is setting up a partnership with Instituto Silo Cultural based in Paraty, Brazil, to enrich the personal, arts and cultural practices of Indigenous students and the wider arts community in Australia and Brazil through the delivery of a collaborative exchange program that includes workshops leading to visual and performance outcomes for audiences in each country. The project actively involves Indigenous arts professionals and students from Australia and the Indigenous Quilombola and Caicara peoples from the Rio de Janeiro region of Brazil and will provide a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and professional development for members of two Indigenous arts organizations.
In the arts community there is an increasing recognition of the value of the cultural traditions of ‘first nations’. For many years these traditions were either ignored, considered as curiosity pieces or just considered ‘primitive’, and therefore of little worth. Today there is a growing awareness of the value of these practices. Among Indigenous artists there is also a growing hunger to create new cultural forms and practice through meaningful cultural exchange between Indigenous peoples. This proposal is important because it enables a cultural exchange between two Indigenous cultural traditions. While geographically far apart both cultures have had to respond to the impacts of colonialism, and indeed continue to do so. It is in these responses that points of commonality and difference will, we believe, provide vital and exciting material that will be culturally enriching for both groups.
This project is a joint collaboration between ACPA and Cultural Silo. In January 2009 The Associate Artistic Director of ACPA Penny Mullen visited Brazil for four weeks with the view to developing an exchange program for Australian Indigenous students in the performing arts area. Director of Silo Cultural, Brazil, Vanda Mota, enthusiastically contributed to the design of the proposed exchange program as a result of a warm and ongoing relationship already developed from Penny’s previous engagement as a teacher of dance at Silo Cultural in Brazil in 2006.
Paraty, Brazil is situated three hours south of Rio de Janeiro. It has recently been appointed custodian of cultural tourism by the Brazilian Government, which has resulted in Paraty being both the curator and progressive force behind cultural arts in Brazil.
Penny conducted on the ground cultural and arts practice research, together with discussions with local cultural and arts practitioners. This resulted in the design of a joint project between Silo Cultural and the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts that through an investigation of culture, music and dance, will assist the Indigenous students of ACPA and the Indigenous participants and students of Brazil to:

Preserve and celebrate the unique qualities of each Indigenous culture.

Discover and explore new cultural attributes.

Stimulate cultural and creative exchange and develop long term cultural relationships.

Develop innovative new Indigenous works within a contemporary context.

Create recordings, performances and exhibitions for a wider arts audience.

The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) was established in 1997 and is a unique national Indigenous performing arts training institution, providing high quality training in the performance disciplines of dance, music and theatre at Certificate III, through to Advanced Diploma levels. It attracts Indigenous students from urban, regional and remote communities across Australia.

To learn more about ACPA contact Shane Newbery, Business Manager
Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts on (07)38467211

Events - Brazil

2010-05-17T09:20:00.001+10:00

ExpoAluminio Brazil
Date: 18-MAY-10 to 20-MAY-10
ExpoAluminio Brazil will be an excellent opportunity to disseminate institutionally your company, generate new businesses and introduce products, equipment, services and technological innovations. The same place will join companies, professionals from the entire aluminum chain and its consumer sectors, such as packaging, civil construction, machinery, equipment and consumer goods, etc.
Venue: Brazil Centro de Exposicoes Imigrantes, Sao Paulo, Brazil
More about it

Femade
Date: 24-MAY-10 to 28-MAY-10
Femade, International Fair for Machinery, Equipment and Products for Extraction and Industrialization of Wood and Furniture.
Venue: Horacio Coimbra Convention Center, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
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Fispal Food Service
Date: 07-JUN-10 to 10-JUN-10
Fispal Food Service is the only show in Latin America exclusively devoted to the food service market. The Brazilian food service market is experiencing an explosive growth and offers an excellent business opportunity for international companies. Within this framework Fispal Food Service provides the ideal setting for exhibitors to initiate or expand their businness relationships with importers, distributors and operators.
Venue: Expo Center Norte, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Autopar
Date: 09-JUN-10 to 12-JUN-10
The Autopar is recognized as one of the largest exhibition of Brazil for Automotive Industry. Organized at Exhibition Center curitiba, curitiba, Brazil, the event attracts eminent trade visitors from both Brazil and across the world. This 4 days event is expected to see visitors from Automotive Accessories, Body/Chassis Component, Brakes & Braking System, Electrical & Electronic Systems, Engine & Engines Components industry etc.
Venue: Exhibition Center curitiba, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
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FEICORTE
Date: 15-JUN-10 to 19-JUN-10
International Meat Production Chain, the largest chain of indoor beef cattle industry in the world, stands out as the main showcase of the industry, reference quality, research, technology, equipment, products and services.
Venue: Brazil Centro de Exposicoes Imigrantes, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Quimica & Petroquimica
Date: 21-JUN-10 to 24-JUN-10
Quimica & Petroquimica is an international trade fair of the Chemical and Petrochemical Industry Suppliers. The show is an unique opportunity, in South America, which will gather the products/services for the chemical industry specific public: food, cosmetics, agricultural defensive, pharmaceuticals, personal care, petrochemical, inks, and enamels, among others.
Venue: Anhembi Palacio das Convencoes, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Events - Australia

2010-05-17T09:10:00.001+10:00

APPEA-Conference & Exhibition
Date: 16-MAY-10 to 19-MAY-10
APPEA-Conference & Exhibition 2010 is a leading exhibition for Oil and Gas industry in Australia. The event will provides the opportunity for industry knowledge-sharing, networking and business. A conference also will be held during the exhibition at same venue. The event is being organized by Sane Event Management Pty Ltd.
Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Restaurant Expo-Melbourne
Date: 24-MAY-10 to 25-MAY-10
Restaurant Expo-Melbourne is the largest Restaurant expo in Melbourne. The exhibition will be held between 24-25 May 2010 at Melbourne. Restaurant Expo-Melbourne will encompass everything a restaurateur and their team need to make their restaurant more successful, and give them the edge.
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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CeBIT Australia
Date: 24-MAY-10 to 26-MAY-10
CeBIT Australia is Australasia's leading Information & Communications Technology (ICT) event for the business marketplace and covers the entire spectrum of technology and the key elements that make up the ICT products and services marketplace. This is the only Australian event where you can explore the full range of next generation global technologies and solutions.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Sustainable Energy Expo
Date: 05-JUN-10 to 07-JUN-10
Sustainable Energy Expo provides a forum for suppliers of sustainable energy products and services to present, explain and demonstrate their technologies and experience. Sustainable Energy Expo will be held at Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre from 05 to 07 June 2010.
Venue: Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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FoodService & Bakery Australia
Date: 21-JUN-10 to 23-JUN-10
FoodService & Bakery Australia is the only national trade show dedicated to the foodservice industry. It provides you with the perfect opportunity to connect with a diverse group of buyers. This is an ideal environment to generate new sales, maintain and service existing clients and use the show to introduce new products, services or special promotions.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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ABCC - Feed Back on Events

2010-03-24T09:10:00.014+11:00

ABCC Australia-Brazil Golf Tournament 2010 – SKM Trophy

Pic1 - Golf Group Photo / Pic2 - Cristina Talacko (ABCC), Iain Mars (JBS Swift) and Ambassador F. de Melo Barreto.

Pic3 - Tony Owen (SKM), Fabio Buckeridge Pricewaterhouse Coopers) and Cristina Talacko (ABCC) / Pic4 - Marion Gazzard (Australian Internships) / Pic5 - Renato Paladino (Hancock Exploration)

Pic6 - Monica Scott (Goal Migration), Paulo and Teresa Maia (HSBC) and Ambassador F. de Melo Barreto / Pic7 - Tony Owen (SKM), Cris Talacko (ABCC), Martin Talacko (SalDoce Fine Foods), John Ferreira (SMBC).

Chris Gorry (Ground Probe), Fabio (PwC), Tony Owen (SKM), JBS Swift table

Luncheon at Lakeview and players ready to go (click on images to enlarge)

The ABCC hosted the first Golf Tournament between Brazilians and Australians on 28th March at Palm Meadows Golf Club at the Gold Coast, proudly sponsored by Sinclair Knight Merz.
29 players competed for the SKM Individual Trophy. Brazilian Fabio Buckeridge from PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia was the winner followed by Quinn Pfitzner from Quinn Films and Chris Gorry from Ground Probe. Other trophy winners for the longest drive and nearest to the pin were Marion Gazzard from Australian Internships, Jean Lamagnere from SKM and Renato Paladino from Hancock Exploration.

Overall, Australia won the ABCC Trophy for best team of 2010 – Australia 25.6 to Brazil 22.3.

The ABCC would like to thank SKM for sponsoring the event and all our special guests, including Ambassador Fernando de Mello Barreto, captain for the Brazilian Squad, Iain Mars, captain for the Australian Squad, Mr Wesley Batista, CEO JBS Swift USA, Paulo Maia, CEO – HSBC Australia and the following companies:
Vale, Ground Probe, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wallace Group, Ecolab, JBS Swift Australia, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Brasilfit, Quinn Films, Australian Internships, Hancock Exploration and Goal Migration.

Queensland and Latin America by the Hon Peter Beattie - Commissioner for the Americas

2010-03-24T09:01:00.001+11:00

Queensland is keen to accelerate our companies and universities doing business in Latin America and hence the upcoming trip this month by the Premier to Latin America is very important to Queensland’s future.

I was the first Premier or indeed Australian leader to visit Latin America which I did with a large cane grower’s delegation in 2004 to Chile and Brazil and I have enjoyed the last two years as Trade and Investment Commissioner expanding Queensland’s involvement in the region.

This month Premier Anna Bligh will be the first sitting Queensland Premier to visit Peru and Colombia. She will also visit Brazil and Chile.

If Queenslanders were asked today to predict the state’s 10 major trading partners in a decade’s time, few would include any Latin American countries. I am hoping the Premier’s trip will change that perception in Australia.

China, Japan, Korea, Europe, the US and the Middle East would head the list. Yet the global investment bank Goldman Sachs predicts that by 2050 the world’s five biggest economies will be China, the US, Brazil, India and Mexico. Having two Latin American countries in the top five will surprise many.

The same could have been said about China, Korea and India just 25 years ago. Queensland has been smart in the past by getting into the Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Indian markets early. Now we have to do it again in Latin America. That is why Queensland is targeting business opportunities in Latin America for Queensland companies.

One in five Queenslanders get their jobs from trade. It is the backbone of our economy.

That’s why Queensland Premiers - on both sides of the political divide - have focused on helping target Queensland into emerging markets, opening the doors for Queensland companies and giving them first-mover advantage.

Latin America is a huge continent and Queensland has had to pick the best opportunities. Our strategy has focused on Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. In doing so, we have put aside the out-of-date misconceptions about these countries and focused on the opportunities for our companies.

Today Queensland companies are increasingly engaged in Latin America. There are about 30 operating in Chile including Mincom, Supavac, Austin Engineering, Runge, Russell Mineral Equipment, Ludowici, Sedgman and Industrea. This critical mass enables these exporters to work together to expand in this market.

Our companies are now also successfully finding significant opportunities in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Chile and Mexico.

As the basis for expanding trade, Queensland recently signed cooperation agreements with the Chilean mining region of Antofagasta, the Federal Government of Mexico and the state of Antioquia in Colombia. We have renewed a vital agreement with Minas Gerais in Brazil which I initially signed in 2004.

There's a lot of business already being done in Latin America and, as usual, Queenslanders are leading the way for Australia. Two way merchandise trade between Queensland and Chile was worth $569 million in 2009/09 - that's more than 64% of Australia's trade with Chile.

It's a similar story in Brazil, where trade between Queensland and Brazil was worth $1.4 billion, or 57% of Australia's trade with Brazil which is rapidly becoming a world power house economy.

These are impressive numbers but when you consider that Brazil's economy alone is worth around $2 trillion, that they are hosting the Olympics and the World Cup soccer and that they've discovered massive oil reserves which will make them one of the biggest producers in the world, there's more business to be done in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico.

It will surprise many Queenslanders but Latin America is a secure investment destination with generally stable government and sound economic policies in the five targeted countries. Not only that, but Latin America has successfully navigated the global financial crisis and is predicted to grow around one percent faster than global growth. Brazil is already implementing policies to prevent their economy from overheating.

Queensland has made a good start in Latin America. We are better placed than any other Australian state, but now we need to move to the next level. The World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 will focus the eyes of the world on Latin America. We need to take full advantage of the opportunities before the rest of the world dominates trade with Latin America.

Any Premier worth his or her salt would be working to give our companies a bigger foothold in Latin America regardless of their politics. Latin America should be a target for Queensland regardless of which party occupies the 15th floor of the Executive Building in George Street or the Lodge in Canberra.

The Honourable Peter Beattie
Commissioner for the Americas

In Brazil, the Premier will have key meetings in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte with Mayors, Brazilian mining giant Vale, CEMIG, Mr Antônio Augusto ANASTASIA, Governor of Minas Gerais, key Brazilian and Australian companies, open a business workshop and host a major reception. In Rio de Janeiro the Premier will be supported by the Mr Ronaldo Veirano, Honorary Australian Consul who has just been awarded an Order of Australia.

ABCC New Members

2010-03-24T09:00:00.003+11:00

The ABCC welcomes the following new members

Erica Carneiro – Bravo Migration
Monica Scott – Goal Migration
Kel Lupis - RBA Group

Special article - ABCC Member Paulo Maia

2010-03-24T08:50:00.004+11:00

A Brazilian takes top post at HSBC Bank
By Lola Matheus

The HSBC bank has appointed Paulo Maia as their CEO in Australia. With more than 25 years of experience in banking, having worked in different positions in England, United States and Brazil,Paulo took up the new position in July 2009.
Paulo welcomed RADAR in his office, with the well-known friendliness of a ‘carioca’ (native of Rio de Janeiro), and spoke, of Brazil as an emerging economic power, and about his career and professional goals in Australia.

What are your objectives as the CEO of the HSBC Bank in Australia?
HSBC is a well-established bank and it’s been in Australia since 1965. In the 1980s, they acquired the rights to open up a commercial bank and it’s been growing since then. Today, we have 24 branches, and almost five hundred thousand clients. We’re hoping to keep growing and our objective is to open three to four branches a year.

How many employees do you have under your leadership?
We have 1600 employees in Australia and another 300 who work for us in other countries. In total, we have 1800 to 2000 employees.

How did the invitation to work in Australia come about?
It happened around June last year. I had been working for twelve years for the bank in Brazil. Prior to that, I had two overseas posts one in London with HSBC and another in New York with The Chase Manhattan Bank. The opportunity to take up a position with a bank as important as HSBC and to work in a developed country with a sophisticated financial market came about. This is a unique opportunity which will enrich my professional experience.

What’s your opinion about Brazil’s financial position internationally?
The HSBC bank believes that emerging markets such as Brazil will be leaders in economic growth. Amongst the emerging markets, China is now ahead in economic growth, but Brazil has shown consistency as well, with a stable and democratic political system which helps significantly in this process. Despite some social problems, Brazil has economic stability as a result of its democratic system. Foreign investors know that contracts will be respected when there is a stable political system. The growth prospects are very good, as Brazil is an emerging market with a lot of natural resources.

Do you see any economical similarities between Brazil and Australia?
Compared to other developed countries, Australia is perhaps the best economically positioned, and Brazil is also very well positioned amongst the emerging economies. China is the biggest commercial trader with Australia, and it has also become one of Brazil’s largest trade partners. Australia has a solid financial system which is also the case of Brazil.

Are interest rates high in Brazil?
Interest rates are high there as well as in Australia. The current 3.75% cash rate in Australia is perhaps the highest central bank rate among the developed countries, if compared to the USA, for example, where the central bank rate is zero. On the other hand, there is also Brazil which has the highest interest rate among the emerging markets.

How do you find a balance between your professional and social life?
My job is demanding. It’s necessary to have a lot of discipline. I work long hours, starting at 8am and finishing around six or seven pm, depending on the day. It’s also important to spend quality time with my family - my wife and daughters. I also like playing golf, although I don’t have much time to practice.

You’re an inspiring role-model for Brazilians living in Australia. What’s your message to our community?
I think it’s important when we are living overseas to represent our country in the best possible way, to be well-regarded as Brazilians in Australia and to always strive to leave a positive impression.

Source: RADAR Magazine, ed.09 February - March 2010

Special article from ABCC Member – Bravo Migration

2010-03-24T08:40:00.000+11:00

Latin American communities to benefit from new partnership that help start a business in Australia

In an Australia-first, migration specialist Bravo Migration and leading start up experts Business Switch have partnered to help the Brazilian and South American communities start up business in Australia.

“This is the first time our community has been able to access professional Australian business start up advice. It has been much needed as, up to now, there has been too much confusion and misunderstanding about starting a business in Australia,” said Erica Carneiro, Managing Director of Bravo Migration.
“Many people on temporary visas in Australia (such as students, family members of people on work Sponsorship Visas, Graduate Skilled Visa holders and others) don’t know that they can start and own a business in Australia.
“We have also seen a significant increase from people outside of Australia wanting to move here and either open a branch of their company or start a new enterprise in Australia,” said Ms Carneiro. “This is also a migration/visa pathway and we wanted to help clients who want to follow it.”

South American cultures are, at their heart, entrepreneurial and passionate
Matthew Abrahams, Managing Director of Business Switch said; “We love the fact that South American cultures are, at their heart, entrepreneurial and passionate about business. Where other cultures, such as Chinese, seek to buy existing businesses in Australia, we have found the Latin communities more focused on starting their own.
“Partnering with Bravo Migration provides the perfect bridge between the community and our expert business start up services.
“For example, through Bravo Migration, clients can learn about Business Switch services in their native language - Portuguese or Spanish. It provides the perfect start to understanding how to get a business operational in Australia,” Mr Abrahams said.
Ms Carneiro emphasized that, from a migration perspective, starting up a business in Australia will not automatically provide a visa to stay in Australia. However, it is considered a Migration Pathway.
“If someone starts a business in Australia on a temporary visa and the business is successful, to the point where it reaches some, very realistic, Department of Immigration targets, that person might be eligible for a Permanent Visa on the basis of that business.
What makes this partnership unique is, for the first time in Australia, Bravo Migration and Business Switch can help people to create a Business to Residence path, and via their combined services make sure that you grow a successful business and that the visa process is seamless,” she said
Another area of focus are Business Visas for company owners outside of Australia, who want to invest in Australia by opening branches or investing in new business in Australia.
If company owners meet all the Department of Immigration requirements and present a business plan that shows their business idea and investment is viable, they can get a visa to live in Australia and manage the business for an initial four years.
If the business meets Department of Immigration targets, there are options to apply for permanent residence afterwards.
“Investment into Australia strengthens our economy. Our partnership with Bravo Migration will make the process more easily understood by the South American market. At the end of the day, knowledge is power,” added Mr Abrahams.

Inaugural business Start up Seminar to be held 15 April 2010
The first initiative of the new partnership will be the launch of the first “Start Up Smart Seminar” hosted by Bravo Migration and Business Switch.
The first event will be held on 15 April. Seats are strictly limited and filling fast. Interested parties are encouraged to make contact as soon as possible.
Details are as follows:

Start Up Smart Seminar
When: Thursday 15th April 2010 @ 6PM
Where: Bravo Migration – Level 12, 95 Pitt Street, Sydney
How much: A$39.95
Bookings on (02) 8249-8149 with Priscila

About Business Switch

Business Switch is Australia’s leading business start up company. They are solely focused on helping people successfully start up in business. They utilize a proven method and have an expert team who understands the start up process. This ensures people start their business successfully, save time and money, and secure support during the critical start up process. http://www.business-switch.com.au/

About Bravo Migration

Bravo Migration is a migration agency with a difference: a track record of ethical and professional service delivery. Their vision is to provide innovative and relevant service to its clients. They offer Migration Assistance through their Visa Assessment, Visa Strategy and Visa Application Services. This ensures people go through a migration/visa process with the right support and achieve positive outcomes. www.bravomigration.com.au

Source: Bravo Migration, March 2010.

Economy

2010-03-24T08:30:00.002+11:00
Brazil Recovery Gains Momentum With Robust 4Q GDP Growth
March 11, 2010

Brazil's economy continued its robust recovery in the fourth quarter as the country's services and industrial sectors reacted to heated domestic demand.

Brazil's gross domestic product expanded 4.3% in the fourth quarter compared with the fourth quarter a year ago, the Brazilian Census Bureau, or IBGE, said Thursday. That was below the median forecast of 4.64% made by 18 economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

A series of moves last year by the government and the Brazilian Central Bank continued to pay dividends in the fourth quarter, stoking domestic demand. The central bank cut interest rates, while the government boosted spending and cut taxes on consumer goods.

"For us, [the GDP figure] was well in line with expectations," said Silvio Campos Neto, chief economist at Banco Schahin. "The strong fourth-quarter recovery was largely because of an intense rebound in the industrial sector and increased investments."

Brazil's industrial GDP jumped 4.0% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, while service sector GDP surged 4.6%. Brazil's massive agriculture industry, which struggled with poor weather and lower commodity prices, registered a 4.6% decline in fourth quarter GDP versus the same period of 2008.

The fourth-quarter performance of Latin America's largest economy continued the recovery that started earlier this year, when quick action by Brazil's government to fight the global financial crisis and economic slowdown set the course for the emerging-market powerhouse to pull out of its first recession since 2003.

The country registered two consecutive quarters of shrinking GDP--the technical definition of recession--in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009.

The Brazilian Central Bank slashed 500 basis points off the benchmark Selic base interest rate, starting in January 2009. The monetary easing left the reference rate at its lowest-ever level of 8.75%. The bank's Copom rate-setting panel has maintained the Selic at 8.75% since last year, although a recent rise in inflation has increased expectations for a rate hike--perhaps as early as next week's meeting.

The government also granted tax breaks for car sales and big-ticket appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines in order to stoke domestic demand. The tax breaks are only now starting to expire.

The stimulus measures had the desired effect, increasing consumer access to credit and fueling domestic sales--including record auto sales of 3.1 million vehicles in 2009.

The strong rebound, however, was not enough to ward off a decline for the full year. Brazil's economy shrank 0.2% in 2009 compared with 5.1% growth in 2008. That was the first full-year decrease in GDP since a 0.5% decline in 1992, the IBGE said.

In market value, Brazil's GDP was 3.14 trillion Brazilian reals ($1.78 trillion) in 2009, up from BRL3.0 trillion in 2008. The economic slowdown also sapped investments, with the country's investment rate falling to 16.7% of GDP in 2009 compared with 18.7% of GDP in 2008.

Family consumption, meanwhile, increased 8.8% in 2009 to BRL1.97 trillion compared with BRL1.81 trillion in 2008, the IBGE said. Government spending rose 11% to BRL654 billion, up from BRL588 billion in 2008.

The IBGE also revised GDP figures from past quarters, showing that Brazil's emergence from the recession earlier this year was stronger than previously thought.

In the third quarter, GDP was revised upward to growth of 1.7% from previously reported growth of 1.3%. Second-quarter GDP was revised upward to growth of 1.4% from the previously reported 1.1% gain.

Meanwhile, the decline in first-quarter GDP was stronger than previously reported, shrinking 3.5% from the fourth quarter compared with a 2.9% decline previously reported.

By: Jeff Fick

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Brazil's Foreign Reserves Increase By $466 Million In February
March 03, 2010

Brazil's foreign-currency reserves increased by $466 million in February from the previous month, as the central bank continued purchasing dollars in the foreign exchange market, according to figures published on the bank's Web site Tuesday.

Foreign reserves totaled $241.28 billion, up from $240.82 billion at the end of January.

The reserves grew sharply from 2005 after the central bank started purchasing dollars from the spot market in October 2005. The reserves totaled $53.779 billion at the end of 2005.

The level declined beginning in October 2008 as the central bank loaned dollars to Brazilian businesses in the face of the global credit crunch. The central bank also sold dollars from the reserves to the foreign-exchange market via spot auctions.

In mid-2009, however, the government reversed course, buying dollars from the market at spot auctions.

By: Rogerio Jelmayer

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Brazil’s Real Heads for Biggest Advance in World This Month
February 26, 2010

Brazil’s real is set for the biggest gain in the world this month as economic growth accelerates and the central bank prepares to raise benchmark borrowing costs to curb inflation.

The real rose 4.3 percent this month to 1.8170 per dollar as of 10:02 a.m. New York time, from 1.8950 on Jan. 29. The advance, which reverses much of last month’s 7.9 percent plunge, is the largest among all currencies tracked by Bloomberg. The real will rise to 1.81 by June and 1.72 by year-end, according to the median forecast of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

“Brazil is still a solid story, and the real is an attractive currency,” said Vitali Meschoulam, an emerging- market strategist at Morgan Stanley in New York, who forecasts the real will rise to stronger than 1.7 this year. “The economy is the fastest growing in Latin America. It is among the first to raise interest rates and the strong foreign direct investment dynamics hasn’t changed.”

The real advanced as traders raise their bets that policy makers will boost the key borrowing costs from a record low of 8.75 percent as soon as next month to curb inflation. The central bank this week required lenders to deposit an additional 71 billion reais ($39 billion) to withdraw economic stimulus as a broader measure of inflation that includes wholesale prices quickened to the fastest in 19 months.

Yields on interest rate future contracts due January 2011, the most traded on Sao Paulo’s BM&F exchange, held today at 10.41, up from 10.27 percent on Feb. 19. That rate suggests traders anticipate the central bank will push the benchmark rate to above 12 percent by year-end.

Foreign Investment

The real’s gain this month pares its losses this year to 4 percent. The currency tumbled 8 percent in January in its biggest slump since October 2008 as China, the biggest buyer of Brazilian exports, curbed bank lending to slow the economy.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Bank of America Corp. recommended clients this month buy the real, saying that growth in Latin America’s biggest economy will lure foreign investment.

The $1.6 trillion economy will expand 5.5 percent this year, up from 0.5 percent growth last year, according to a central bank survey of about 100 economists published Feb. 22.

Foreign direct investment will jump 73 percent to $45 billion, matching the record in 2008, as the country builds houses, roads and stadiums for the 2014 World Cup soccer games and 2016 Olympics, according to the central bank.

Growth indicators suggest “the current account deficit will be easily financed through foreign investment,” Jose Francisco de Lima Goncalves, chief economist at Banco Fator SA, said in a telephone interview from Sao Paulo.

Brazil’s credit rating may be reviewed for an increase by Moody’s Investors Service next year if President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s successor continues to improve the country’s debt indicators, the ratings company said yesterday.

Moody’s raised Brazil’s long-term debt rating to Baa3, the lowest investment grade, from Ba1 in September, following similar moves by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings a year earlier. Moody’s has a positive outlook on the rating.

By: Camila Fontana and Ye Xie

Source: BusinessWeek

Mining

2010-03-24T08:28:00.001+11:00
Brazil's miner Vale attempts to hose down report on iron ore price spike
UPDATE: John Kolodziejski
From: Dow Jones Newswires
March 24, 2010 6:24AM

ANNUAL iron-ore price negotiations have taken an interesting turn after a report that Brazilian miner Vale was looking for a 114.4 per cent increase.
Not only was the percentage increase well above market expectations of between 60 per cent and 90 per cent, but, according to the report in Brazil's Valor newspaper, Vale had launched a new model of quarterly contracts.
Vale later released a statement denying it had issued any new information about prices to the market, but reiterated the tri-monthly contract model wasn't new but part of its flexible negotiating strategy.
Vale's reported price increase would bring top-quality sinter feed ore to $US122.20 a tonne for the period April through June, Valor said, well up on Vale's $US57 iron-ore reference price last year.
Gilberto Cardoso, a mining analyst at Banif Investment Banking, said the report seemed to confirm sentiment that this year's price increases would be at the top end of forecasts.
There are risks, however, if the price is pitched too high, he said.
"I think China's supply chain might be able to absorb a high rise, but there are worries about markets which are showing no growth like Europe, the US and even Latin America," said Mr Cardoso.
"Some mills and manufacturers just can't pass on prices like that to their customers," he added.
However, Vale's high prices may be just an initial bargaining ploy.
"These prices aren't likely to be the final ones, as discounts should be given. Differentiated contracts may be signed at an average price a bit below this rise of over 100 per cent," Sao Paulo's Link Investimentos brokerage said in an analyst report.
Vale's tri-monthly model, known as IODEX, is a new wrinkle in iron-ore contracts.
Until now, iron ore has been mainly contracted either at an annual benchmark price or through spot market sales.
"If confirmed, tri-monthly contracts would represent a big change from the benchmark system, which has been around for 40 years, and would likely make the market more volatile," said Banif's Mr Cardoso.
In recent years, Vale has customarily set the benchmark price after long talks with leading Chinese steel mills, and then other miners and mills have followed suit.
But the world's largest ore buyer, China, may not want quarterly deals.
"While the Japanese seem disposed to accept these three-monthly contracts, the Chinese will likely try and avoid this change," said Link Investimentos.
Mr Cardoso said the upside of IODEX is that it's good for miners when prices are rising. "It captures the real value of the market," he noted. "It also detects market trends quickly."
However, the downside would be greater volatility.
Mr Cardoso criticised the tone of iron ore-bargaining undertaken via the media, which he said was "too aggressive, with prices discussed by fax instead of the usual long talks. They don't seem able to speak to each other directly."
Spokesmen for Vale declined to comment specifically on price talks, pointing to its latest media release.
Tight supply is at the heart of current negotiations.
Valor said Vale has told clients that demand for iron ore this year is 1.032 billion tonnes but there is only one billion in supply.
Although miners have bright prospects for the 2010 contract year, and maybe all the way into 2012, what are the medium-term consequences?
Mr Cardoso said he believes there will be more mergers and acquisitions among both producers and steel mills.
"Higher ore prices will accelerate new business opportunities; there'll be more company takeovers, joint ventures and expansion of mining projects because of strong cash-flow from the high prices," he predicted.
"We're already seeing China buying mining assets in Africa and Brazil, just like Japan did with its trading companies years ago," he added.

Source: theaustralian.com.au

Oil & Gas

2010-03-24T08:26:00.002+11:00
Brazil's oil giant becomes 2nd most profitable firm in Americas:
RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar. 22, 2010 (Xinhua News Agency)

Brazil's state-owned oil and gas giant Petrobras became the second most profitable public firm in the Americas in 2009, said a consulting agency on Monday.

In a report, the consulting agency, Economatica, said that Petrobras garnered a net profit of 28.9 billion reals (16.6 billion U.S. dollars) last year.

Despite the high figures, Petrobras' profit in 2009 was actually 12 percent lower than that in 2008.

According to the Economatica, Petrobras' profit in 2009 was only lower than that of U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil's (NYSE:XOM) , which reported profits of 19.28 billion dollars. The difference between the two companies' figures was of only 13.7 percent, the lowest since the Economatica started the comparisons in 1994.

U.S. software company Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) ranked third in the list, with 16.25 billion dollars, followed by retail giant Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) , with 13.49 billion dollars, and computer giant IBM (NYSE:IBM) , with a net profit of 13.42 billion dollars.

In 2008, due to the dollar's higher value compared to the Brazilian currency real, Petrobras had ranked fifth on Economatica's list after Exxon Mobil, Chevron Texaco, General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Microsoft.

According to the Economatica report, Petrobras is the only Brazilian company among the 20 most profitable public companies in the Americas. All 19 others are from the United States.

(Source: iStockAnalyst )

Financial market

2010-03-24T08:20:00.001+11:00
Brazil's Gafisa raises 1.06 bln reais to expand
Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:44pm EDT

SAO PAULO, March 23 (Reuters) - Gafisa (GFSA3.SA)(GFA.N), Brazil's second largest real estate developer, raised 1.06 billion reais ($598 million) in a stock offering on Tuesday that will help it fund takeovers and new residential projects.

The company, whose main shareholders include a fund headed by real estate tycoon Sam Zell and investment adviser Marsico Capital Management, sold 85 million new shares for 12.5 reais each, according to a securities filing.

That price was just below the stock's closing price on Tuesday of 12.55 reais on the Bovespa stock exchange.

Sao Paulo-based Gafisa had filed to sell 74 million new shares, but underwriters had the option to increase the offering by 25.9 million additional shares to meet demand.

Gafisa's so-called follow-on stock sale came after the initial public offering by start-up OSX Brasil (OSXB3.SA), which had to slash the price and the number of stock in a sale last week because of tepid investor demand.

The OSX stock slumped 12.5 percent in its trading debut on Monday as investors shunned Brazilian IPOs. [ID:nN22199897]

Itau BBA, the investment banking unit of Brazil's largest private sector bank Itau Unibanco ITUB4.SAi, managed the stock offering. JPMorgan (JPM.N) and Banco Votorantim also helped underwrite the sale, according to the prospectus of the offering.

Underwriters of the Gafisa offering stood to earn 3.17 percent from the total value of the sale in fees, according to the prospectus, or 33.8 million reais.

($1=1.776 reais) (Reporting by Bruno Marfinati; writing by Elzio Barreto; editing by Andre Grenon)

Source: reuters.com

Brazil Braskem may expand green plastics on demand
Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:16pm EDT

SAO PAULO, March 22 (Reuters) - Braskem (BRKM5.SA), Latin America's largest petrochemicals company, may open a second factory to produce polyethylene from sugar cane-based ethanol, once a first plant starts up around October, a project manager at the firm said on Monday.

Braskem expects to become the first commercial-scale producer of polyethylene made from a renewable source when a plant in Brazil begins producing the building block resin used in plastics at the Triunfo plant, said Leonora Novaes, Braskem's commercial head for green polyethylene.

A second plant is likely to follow, if manufacturers show sufficient interest in the plastic, which will have the same characteristics as petroleum-based polyethylene but help reduce greenhouse gasses and meet consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products.

A new plant would take about three years to build.

The firm is studying possible locations for a second plant, including real estate in the center-south's sugar cane heartland to have ready access to ethanol, the plastic's raw material.

Ethanol will have to be transported over a long distance to reach the Triunfo plant in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil's southernmost state.

"Cane (ethanol) brings many advantages. Cane is very efficient at capturing CO2 in the growth process," Novaes said in a presentation on the product at the opening of the three-day FO Licht Sugar and Ethanol Conference in Sao Paulo.

The firm has committed to selling 50,000 tonnes of the green plastic to Toyota (8015.T), a quarter of the 200,000 tonnes the Triunfo plant will produce initially.

Novaes said European firms had shown keen interest in the product and Braskem expected to export to the United States.

Demand appeared limited on the domestic market so far.

"It's still a niche," said Novaes, who said the 200,000 tonnes was less than 1 percent of total global polyethylene consumption. (Reporting by Peter Murphy; Writing by Reese Ewing; Editing by Walter Bagley)

Source: reuters.com

Events – Australia

2010-03-24T08:10:00.000+11:00
JORGE BEN JOR - ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Brazil’s best known alchemist of funk, rock, samba and bossa-nova is finally heading to Sydney for one exclusive and intimate performance at The Enmore Theatre. Ben Jor has invented samba-rock, an acclaimed genre that fuses bossa-nova’s samba beat with electric guitar’s swing. Simply vivacious.
Renowned for his singular and incomparable style, his impressive career spans 45 years of performances in Europe, USA, Africa, Asia, and of course South America, also including 34 albums and more than 700 original songs. Jorge Ben Jor composed the classic ‘Mas Que Nada’,a hit that has been recorded by hundreds of international artists including Ella Fitzgerald and Black Eyed Peas.
His album ‘Africa Brazil’ recorded in 1976, includes the hit ‘Taj Mahal’, and was elected by Rolling Stone magazine in 2002 as the 22nd coolest album of all time.
Song-writer and guitarist extraordinaire, this musician has an exceptional gift of creating explosive compositions that are part of Brazil’s vivid music heritage. Since the beginning of his career, Jorge has been original. He’s innovative, avant-garde and keeps experimenting with music.
Jorge Ben Jor and his sophisticated and furiously high energy band hail from Rio de Janeiro and deliver an impressive musical set featuring some of the smoothest and deepest funk that would shake anyone’s body.
This concert promises a night of dancing and serious grooving!
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a non stop sunny energy from Rio de Janeiro’s tropical beaches without leaving Sydney.
Book now and guarantee your ticket to this rare opportunity to see and hear something different that will revitalize your soul.

Source: enmoretheatre.com.au

Events – Brazil

2010-03-24T08:00:00.000+11:00
SUGAR AND ETHANOL BRAZIL

DATES: 22 March – 24 March 2010
Country, city: Brazil, São Paulo
Venue: Hotel Renaissance, Alameda Santos
Organiser: Agra Informa Ltd

F.O. Licht’s Sugar and Ethanol Brazil Conference, now in its 6th year, gives you the most incisive analysis of the Brazilian market and developments across the whole of Latin America. The conference is your best opportunity to network with senior executives in this region and to assess the short and medium term outlook for the sugar and ethanol industry.

Website of the event: agra-net.com

FISTUR

DATES: 29 March- 30 March 2010
Country, city: Brazil, São Paulo
Venue: Parque Anhembi
Organiser: ABRESI – Associação Brasileira de Gastronomia, Hospedagem e Turismo

International exhibition of products and services for gastronomy, restaurants and tourism.

Website of the event: fistur.com.br

AGRISHOW

International exhibition of agricultural technology
DATES: 26 April – 01 May 2010
Country, city: Brazil, Ribeirão Preto
Frequency: Annual
Venue: Centro de Cana IAC
Organiser: Reed Exhibitions Argentina

Created in 1994, the AGRISHOW has for mission to take for the agriculturist the most modern tools beeng aimed at the magnifying of the agricultural production, as well as the reduction of the production cost.

Website of the event: agrishow.com.br

ABCC – Forthcoming Events

2010-02-24T11:00:00.001+11:00
ABCC - Australia-Brazil Annual Golf Tournament: SKM Trophy 2010

For the first time, Brazilians challenge Australians to display their golf abilities in the sunny golf course of Palm Meadows, Gold Coast.
Brazilians will prove football is only one of its many sport talents and Australians will show that the golf is in their blood.
Hosted by the ABCC, generously sponsored by Sinclair Knight Merz, the SKM Trophy 2010 is a great oppportunity for companies doing business with Brazil and Brazilian companies in Australia to network and invite clients for a fun day of golf followed by dinner and prize giving.

Details are:

Date: Sunday, 28th March 2010

Venue: Palm Meadows Golf Club

Barbecue and prizes following golf

RSVP by 20th March 2010 to abcc@australiabrazil.com.au

To register, download the form HERE.

For more contact us on: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au or call Bruno Fiorentini on: 0410 678 479.

Special article Honorary Member of the ABCC – Dr Ronaldo C. Veirano invested with the Order of Australia

2010-02-24T10:55:00.006+11:00
Order of Australia

Dr Ronaldo C. Veirano, Honorary Member of the ABCC and a founder of Veriano Advogados, was invested by the Australian ambassador, Neil Mules, with the Order of Australia medal during a ceremony to commemorate the Australia Day, which happened on the 1st February.
The investiture is a great honour for any foreigner and the first Order of Australia of any grade to be awarded to a Brazilian citizen and received as recognition of Dr Ronaldo Veirano to official trade relationships and consulate matters. The Honorary Member of the ABCC is also the Honorary Consul of Australia in Rio de Janeiro since 2000.
The ceremony happened on the Copacabana Palace noble salon and met friends, consular and professional colleagues.
By the ABCC, February 2010.

brazilcham.com	sbgf.org.br
iro.nl	arpel.org
desenvolvimento.rj.gov.br	onip.org.br

ABCC NEWS

ABCC - Feed Back on Events

Feed Back on FIFA World Cup 2014 and Rio Olympics 2016 Business Mission

Zico and Craig Foster at Zico's Football Center, Rio

Briefing by Dr Marcelo de Andrade (Pro-Natural Foundation) at Riode Janeiro Chamber of Commerce

Meetings with Brazilian Ministry for External Affairs (Brasilia)

Cocktail at Australian Embassy in Brasilia with His ExcellencyAmbassador Neil Mules, Paulo Araujo ( President, Brasilia's Federation ofFootball), Craig Foster and Weber Magalhães (Vice-President, CBF)

Seminar and networking session at Mello Campos Attorneys (BeloHorizonte)

Meeting and interviews at Sao Paulo Football Federation (SaoPaulo)

Business Round Table at Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce (Sao Paulo)

International Chambers of Commerce Beach Football Tournament - 10th December

ABCC New Members

Special Article from ABCC Member

Accendo Education

Mining

Vale open to investing in power generation in Chile

Vale to Invest $4.6 Billion in Malaysia Distribution

Infrastructure

CAF wins US$128mn Recife train tender

Odebrecht due to complete Rio’s US$287 million cable car system by Feb 2011

Font: Latin America Daily Posted: December 13.

Maceio to receive US$59mn for PAC II urban infrastructure

By Daniel Bland / Business News Americas

Rio-Sao Paulo bullet train may cost US$24bn - expert – Brazil

Oil & Gas

BG Group: Well confirms light oil offshore Brazil

Petrobras needs to tap into financial markets to fund pre-salt in 2011 - analyst – Brazil

Telecommunications

MVNOs to come onboard in 2011, former communications minister says – Brazil

Automotive

New Fiat Plant Coming to Brazil

Studies

Portuguese Course at School of Languages

Events – Australia

2011 Business Clean Up Day

Australian Shoe Fair - Sydney

Urban Transport World Australia

Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition

Australian Construction Equipment Expo

Events – Brazil

17th Latin Upstream Oil week 2011Rio de Janeiro

Program Focus

Confirmed Speakers

Events

Registration

Contact

Sponsors

Real Estate Investment World Brazil

ABCC – Forthcoming Events

Sporting events business mission to Brazil 21 – 26 November 2010

ABCC – Karoon Gas Christmas Cocktail – 17th November 2010

Brazil Film Festival 2010

ABCC - Feed Back on Events

South Australia’s Eyes on Brazil

Christian Schmidt, Aliomar Galvão (Softex Recife)

Nigel Baker & Daniel Tejera (Pacific Hydro)

Richard Hancock (Director SA ABCC), William Frogley (Hon. Brazilian Consul), Fabio De Conto (Exporters Club)

Bruno Lima

Patricia Moessinger (Austrade)

Jairo Kerr Azevedo (Opto Global)

Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

James Jancu (Carnegie Mellon University)

Helen Blakebrough & Nieccia Miller (Jetset Norwood), Richard Hancock (ABCC)

Fabio De Conto (Exporters Club), Patricia Moessinger (Austrade), Barry Salter (CITCSA), Bob Shepard (Exporters Club), Michael Blake (ALABC), Richard Hancock (ABCC).

Richard Hancock (ABCC), Jeremy Stevenson (Aequus), Lucimar Almeida Nielsen & Tim Neilson (Brazcom Imports), and Carlos Eduardo Rodrigues.

Nigel Baker & Daniel Tejera (Pacific Hydro), Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific).

Richard Hancock (ABCC) Susan Peterson (Carnegie Mellon University)

Volunteers: Juliana Bernardi, Luciana Garcia, Raquel De Conto, Goreti Bassi

Studies

Open High School Announces New Portuguese Course

ABCC New Members

Special Article From ABCC Member

Swift snares export crown

Special Article

Brazil’s Presidential Elections

Economy

GE to spend $500 mln on Brazil

Banking & Finance

BRAZIL: A GLOBAL ATM PLAYER

Santander expanding in Brazil

Briefing by Dr Marcelo de Andrade (Pro-Natural Foundation) at Rio
de Janeiro Chamber of Commerce

Cocktail at Australian Embassy in Brasilia with His Excellency
Ambassador Neil Mules, Paulo Araujo ( President, Brasilia's Federation of
Football), Craig Foster and Weber Magalhães (Vice-President, CBF)

Seminar and networking session at Mello Campos Attorneys (Belo
Horizonte)

Meeting and interviews at Sao Paulo Football Federation (Sao
Paulo)

Sporting events business mission to Brazil
21 – 26 November 2010

His Excellency Fernando de Mello Barreto, Cristina Talacko (ABCC), Maria
Helena Penha (Charge D'Affairs - Embassy of Brazil) and Jose Blanco
(Chairman, Banco Santander, ALABC)

Pedro Amaral (Deputy Consul of Brazil), C. Talacko, Bruno and Monica
Fiorentini (ABCC)

Tim Harcourt (Austrade's Chief Economist), C. Talacko, Maria Helena Penna
and His Excellency Barreto