Reed, Atlanta Delegation Continues Trade Mission in Brazil

Patch Staff Report

Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta delegation began their trade mission in Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, to build and strengthen key relationships with top business and government leaders, create export trade opportunities for Atlanta-based businesses, and encourage foreign direct investment in Atlanta by Brazilian companies.

“The time our delegation has spent in Brazil has reaffirmed the tremendous potential for increased trade and investment between Atlanta and the world’s seventh largest economy,” said Reed in a news release. “We have been received with open arms, and I look forward to strengthening Atlanta’s commercial, institutional, and political ties with Brazil.”

The two-day visit to Sao Paulo began with the delegation meeting with U.S. Consul General Hankins and a presentation on how to do business in Brazil. Banco Santander and NCR hosted a seminar with Atlanta-based companies on Brazilian banking and credit processing systems. Apex-Brasil, a Brazilian federal agency, also briefed these companies on procurement and bidding opportunities in Brazil.

“The visit of Atlanta Mayor Reed and his delegation is an example of how government-to-government, city-to-city, and people-to-people, we are finding new opportunities to bring the United States and Brazil closer together,” said Consul General Hankins in the release. “The visit fosters growth and economic opportunity between Brazil’s largest city and the city that is the economic engine of the Southeast region in the United States.”

UPS also invited Brazilian companies interested in the U.S. market to a luncheon, where over 20 potential investors learned about the benefits of doing business in Atlanta from Mayor Reed and Invest Atlanta President and CEO Brian McGowan.

“Being home to the world’s busiest and most efficient airport is always a significant draw,” said McGowan. “But our entire transportation and logistics infrastructure, our research universities and talented workforce, and our commitment to helping businesses thrive are also benefits that have been well received.”

"Brazil is one of the region's economic leaders, with the World Bank listing the country as the world's seventh wealthiest economy,” said Jose Acosta, UPS Americas, President of Operations and Public Affairs. “UPS’s rising presence in the region aims to be a contributor to that growth as we seek to expand business and opportunities within the country.”

In addition, FIESP, Brazil’s largest professional association, and Delta Air Lines organized a luncheon where Country Director for Delta Air Lines in Brazil Luciano Macagno discussed the benefits of connectivity between Atlanta and Brazil.

“Our recently launched second daily non-stop frequency between Atlanta and Sao Paulo gives our customers improved connectivity between Brazil and Atlanta, while increasing access to the main business destinations in the U.S. in 2.5 hours or less,” Macagno said. “Additionally, our alliance with GOL allows our customers to access almost all of interior Brazil, which is a tremendous connectivity advantage.”

Participating Atlanta-based companies also had an opportunity to meet with the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s representatives in Sao Paulo for individual consultations.

“The Georgia Department of Economic Development utilizes representatives in 11 strategic global markets, including Brazil, as part of its approach to export promotion,” said Kathy Oxford, senior international trade manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development. “In addition to individual consultations, the state’s representatives in Sao Paulo are providing on-the-ground support to these Georgia companies so that they can successfully export their products to Brazil.”

Atlanta is uniquely positioned for trade with Brazil: Delta Air Lines has non-stop routes from Atlanta to Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo; Atlanta is home to the Consulate General of Brazil, which maintains a trade Bureau; the State of Georgia maintains an international trade office in Sao Paulo; and the Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast U.S. is headquartered in Atlanta.

Mayor Reed and the delegation next visit the city of Rio de Janeiro.