The Utah trade mission to Brazil led by Governor Gary R. Herbert, along with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), departed for Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro this morning. The delegation will partner with U.S. commercial services to help Utah businesses enter and expand into Brazil. They will stimulate Brazil’s investment in Utah and present a dynamic tourism seminar to increase travel to the state.
Governor Herbert will meet with local dignitaries and government officials to extol the excellent business climate and adept young workforce of Utah. Private industry will play a key role in increasing Brazil’s investment in Utah; participating business leaders will engage in one-to-one meetings with Brazilian companies interested in working with Utah partners.
“Utah, recognized by Pollina Corporate’s as the #1 pro business state in America, is home to more than 12,000 native Brazilians and 30,000 fluent Portuguese speakers,” said Governor Herbert. “Utah’s unique business environment is like a tailor-made suit for Brazilian business.”
While in Sao Paulo, the delegation will meet with JetBlue founder and CEO David Neeleman to receive insight on how to tap into Latin America’s most powerful economy. Mr. Neeleman will address how he overcame the customs and logistical aspects of Brazilian business when launching Azul Airlines, which has since grown to be the nation’s third largest airline in just six years.
Brazil’s rapidly expanding middle class offers a rising opportunity for the travel industry. Governor Herbert and the Utah Office of Tourism will host a seminar highlighting Utah’s iconic Mighty Five® national parks and world famous ski resorts, which are bucket list items for tourists around the world. As Brazil’s middle class continues to grow, Utah will compete as a top destination for the country’s future travelers.
“The prospective tourism revenue from Brazil is tremendous,” said Bruno Shwartz, global specialist for the Utah Office of Tourism. “We are making every effort to place Utah at the forefront of U.S. destinations for the people of Brazil.”
The Governor will meet with the Rio Olympic Committee to share insight on Salt Lake’s experience with the 2002 Winter Olympics as Brazil prepares to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, which is expected to maintain the high level of international focus that the World Cup brought to Brazil over the summer.
The delegation will be accompanied by Utah’s major universities, who will be strengthening educational ties with Brazilian institutions. Utah Valley University will be signing an agreement with Instituto Nacional de Pós-Graduação (INPG) business school in Sao Paulo to set up student exchanges.
Together, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and World Trade Center Utah host 12 trade missions each year. With 95 percent of the world’s customers outside of the United States, those interested in the value of international trade should go to business.utah.gov/international for information on export seminars and future trade missions.
The participating companies on the Brazil Trade Mission include the following:
• BYU Department of Spanish and Portuguese
• Cuisine Unlimited, Inc.
• Epik Walls
• Hinkley Institute
• HZO, Inc.
• inthinc Technology Solutions
• Jive Communications, Inc.
• Mainstream Data
• Media Mouth, Inc
• Norwest
• Pixio
• Rockwell Time
• U of U
• US Welcome Pavilion
• Utah Office of Tourism, Film & Global Branding
• Utah Sports Commission
• UVU
• WAVE, Inc.