On 27 and 28 May, the Brazilian Trade and Investment agency, Apex-Brasil, will host Brasil Tech 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The event comprises a forum, workshops and scheduled business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and will highlight several areas of Brazil's technological advancement, including its flourishing ICT sector.
In 2006, the Brazilian software and services market ranked 13th in the global market, with sales in the region of US$9,09 billion; representing nearly 1.3% of the country's GDP that year. Interestingly, in the same year, Brazil's domestic products achieved 32.5% of its software market and forecasts indicate this could reach 40% by the end of the decade.
The onus of supplying this market falls to the nearly 8 000 Brazilian companies that develop, produce and distribute software, to a user base that comprises mostly (50%) the industrial and financial sectors. Of the companies that develop and produce software, 94% are small and micro enterprises.
Brazil's ICT sector has much to offer its South African counterparts, both in terms of technology and the sharing of knowledge and information. Indeed, among the topics to be explored at the Brasil Tech 2008 Forum, on the morning of Tuesday 27 May, is Brazil's successful use of open source software in its public administration and the feasibility of sharing these programs with the South African government. The use of ICT in agri-business is yet another fascinating subject in a varied line-up.
The many similarities between the countries are what make Brazil's technology so malleable to South African needs. Both are classified as emerging nations and in turning its economic fortunes around, Brazil did so under social and economic conditions similar to those of South Africa.
A visit to Brasil Tech 2008 is a must for South African ICT businesses and entrepreneurs who want to learn more about the technology Brazil has to offer and to find ways to forge partnerships with their Brazilian counterparts.
First on the event's agenda is the Brasil Tech 2008 Forum, on 27 May, and on its programme are lectures that offer the listener insights into Brazil's ICT, machinery and equipment, electrical and electronic and medical-dental equipment industries.
In addition, the forum will look at how Brazilian technological advances can be adapted to meet South African needs; the use of open source software in its public administration; IT in agri-business; as well as how the Brazilian government and people overcame the energy crisis of 2001, to become an international benchmark for managing energy distribution.
Later that same day, attention will turn to the Brasil Tech 2008 Sector Workshops, with four individual workshops exploring the solutions and innovations that Brazil is able to offer the South African market, in the ICT, electrical and electronics, medical-dental products, and machinery and equipment sectors.
Day two of the event, 28 May, will be given over to the Brasil Tech 2008 B2B Meetings. These pre-booked sessions take place from 09:00 to 17:00 and put companies and individuals in direct contact with each other, for the purpose of discussing trade opportunities.
As a fellow emerging nation, South Africa can benefit equally from the expertise that Brazil has to share and from the pursuit of trade partnerships with the companies driving the technological advancement of South America's most successful country. Brasil Tech 2008 will provide just the platform to make this happen.
Brazil's economic turnaround is unquestionably one of the great success stories of recent times, among emerging nations. Says the president of Apex-Brasil, Alessandro Teixeira: "Brazil has largely transformed its economic performance over the last 15 years and is now the world's 10th largest economy with a GDP greater than the rest of South America combined. Brazil is growing steadily and has the potential to grow still faster."
Persons wishing to attend Brasil Tech 2008 can register online at www.tradeprojects.net. Alternately, they can e-mail or fax their contact details and indication of their desire to attend david@tradeprojects.co.za or fax 011 486 0530.
Share
Editorial contacts