From December 4th – 9th 2011, Governor Deval Patrick led a coalition of the Commonwealth's leading business executives and state economic development officials on an innovation economy development mission to Brazil. Making stops in Brasilia, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janiero, the delegation visited Brazilian companies, universities and government leaders -- highlighting all that Massachusetts has to offer to Brazil. The mission solidified the already strong Massachusetts-Brazil connection by exploring new economic development and clean energy partnerships.
Prior to arriving in Brazil, Governor Patrick and a smaller delegation traveled to Santiago, Chile from December 1st – 2nd at the request of President Sebastian Piñera to advance partnership opportunities in the innovation economy.
“We are committed to competing for every job in every corner of the Commonwealth, and the world,” said Governor Patrick. “To continue our recovery, we need to position Massachusetts for success in growing markets like Brazil, to drive job growth and catalyze international investment.”
Latest News & Updates
Read a joint op-ed by Governor Deval Patrick and Governor Geraldo Alkmin about the growing partnership between the states of Massachusetts and Sao Paulo.
São Paulo, Brazil - Wednesday, December 7, 2011- Governor Deval Patrick today joined President and CEO of Santander Brazil Marcial Portela to announce the TOP USA-Massachusetts Program, an initiative that will promote an academic exchange of faculty and students between several Brazilian and North American Universities, including the University of Massachusetts (UMass) system.
Through the TOP USA-Massachusetts Program, Banco Santander will fund seven projects per year for faculty, post-doctorate and graduate students to study at partner universities in each country. Each project can include up to four individuals - one Brazilian faculty leader and one researcher/ graduate student and one American faculty leader and one researcher/ graduate student.
- Met São Paulo Mayor Gilberto Kassab
- Video from the Government of Chile featuring Governor Patrick
- MassChallenge Finalists Connect with Brazilian Entrepreneurs
São Paulo, Brazil – Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - Governor Deval Patrick today joined two MassChallenge finalists and Endeavor Brazil to co-host Supporting Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Massachusetts and Brazil. The forum served as an opportunity for start-ups from the two countries to discuss collaboration and job creation in the innovation economy.
Through Governor Patrick’s Innovation Economy Mission, BioArray Therapeutics and PK Clean, both silver winners of the 2011 MassChallenge start-up competition, were given the opportunity collaborate with Endeavor Brazil - the Brazilian equivalent of MassChallenge.
São Paulo, Brazil - December 6, 2011- Governor Deval Patrick today joined members of the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) to discuss job creation in the science and technology sectors and initiatives to cultivate industry partnerships and research collaborations between Massachusetts and Brazil in the innovation economy.
Governor Patrick met with Celso Lafer, President of FAPESP, who discussed Brazil’s efforts to create jobs in the innovation economy. Like Massachusetts, Brazil’s focus on innovation is driving job growth and catalyzing international investment. As an emerging global player and economic powerhouse, Brazil could quickly become one of the most important international economic partners for Massachusetts.
Brasilia, Brazil – Monday, December 5, 2011 – As part of Governor Deval Patrick's Massachusetts-Brazil Innovation Economy Mission 2011, the Commonwealth today launched a new era of collaboration in the area of agricultural research and development with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). The agreement will strengthen UMass’ existing work on Brazilian crops, leading to economic development and job creation opportunities in agribusiness - a sector that boasts over 7,700 farms in Massachusetts for an economic impact of over $3 billion.
Brasilia, Brazil -- Monday, December 5, 2011 -- Governor Deval Patrick today kicked off the Massachusetts Brazil Innovation Economy Partnership Mission 2011, meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Thomas Shannon and senior government leaders in Brasilia to discuss job creation opportunities.
Following the meeting with Ambassador Thomas, Governor Patrick is scheduled to discuss economic partnership opportunities with senior government officials, including: Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Aloizo Mercadanta Oliva; Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Patriota; and Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy Edson Lobao.
Santiago, Chile -- Thursday, December 1, 2011 -- Governor Deval Patrick today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chilean President Sebastián Piñera to expand collaboration between Massachusetts and Chile in the innovation economy, with a focus on growing jobs and opportunities in the areas of clean energy, biotechnology and education.
The MOU enhances economic activity between Massachusetts and Chile, focusing on the three core areas: clean energy, biotechnology and education. Massachusetts and Chile enjoy a $118 million bi-lateral trade relationship, with $62 million in Massachusetts exports to Chile, which is regularly ranked as one of Latin America’s best places for doing business.
Thursday, December 1, 2011 -- Boston Globe article about the current trade mission with a look at previous visits to China, Israel and the United Kingdom.
Governor Deval Patrick today announced a coalition of the state's leading business executives and senior government officials will take part in the Massachusetts-Brazil Innovation Economy Mission 2011 this December to pursue job growth and clean energy partnerships between Massachusetts and Brazil.
Prior to arriving in Brazil, Governor Patrick and a smaller delegation will travel to Santiago, Chile December 1-2 at the request of President Sebastian Piñera to advance partnership opportunities in the innovation economy.
A coalition of the Commonwealth's leading business executives and senior government officials traveling with Governor Patrick.