LATAM TALKS: Brazil

Time             21st June 2021 at 16.00 o’clock Finnish time

Venue           Teams online event

The event is free of charge but needs registration at latest on the 18th June 2021.
The link will be sent on the 20th June 2021 to the registered participants.

Latin America talks is a series of discussion events aimed at shedding light on current happenings, hot topics and rising opportunities “behind the scenes” in different countries of Latin America.

Objective

Why Brazil

Brazil is Latin America’s largest economy by nominal GDP and the world’s fifth largest country by size and population, Brazil offers a unique set of business opportunities for Finnish companies across different industries.

Last year, the Finnish exports of goods and services to Brazil reached a five-year record high, despite the uncertainties brought by the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, new Finnish companies set up local subsidiaries in Brazil and announced business alliances with Brazilian companies to seize opportunities.

On the policy front, the Brazilian federal government has an ambitious reform agenda -- including trade liberalization efforts -- and a much-awaited multi-billion-dollar privatization program to improve the country's business environment.

In 2019, the European Union and the Common Market of the South (“Mercosur”) announced they had reached a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after twenty years of negotiations. While the FTA still needs to be ratified, it will expand potential opportunities for trade between the blocs.

Bioeconomy 
Over the last decades, Brazil and Finland have had strong commercial ties in the bioeconomy industry, with various success stories involving Finnish companies. Currently, Finland is strongly benefiting from a new wave of investments in Brazil's pulp & paper sector: some USD 7 billion are expected to be invested in new projects/plants by 2023. 
Also, large pulp & paper corporations in Brazil are proactively looking for innovative technology solutions from Finland and willing to invest in the country – earlier this year, a leading company in Brazil announced a joint venture textile fibre factory in Jyväskylä. 

Mining & metals 
With rich mineral resources, Brazil is a leading mineral exporter in the world. According to the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM), a trade association, investments in the industry between 2020 and 2024 are expected to reach USD 32.5 billion. In 2021, the Brazilian metals & mining industry is forecast to have a value of USD 45 billion. 
Over the last two years, a growing number of Finnish startups and SMEs has managed to enter the Brazilian market through open innovation programs and challenges. Large mining corporations in Brazil are increasingly keen to partner with young firms to boost productivity and safety. 

This event is co-organized by Business Finland, FinnCham Brazil Finnish-Latin American Business Council, and the Embassy of Finland in Brazil. Event language is English.

Ms. Heidi Virta, Director of Business Finland in Latin American Region, is moderating the event. 

Program 

• Opening of the event
  Ambassador Mr. Jouko Leinonen, Embassy of Finland to Brazil
• AFRY – outlook of the bioeconomy investments in Brazil 
  Mr. Joao Cordeiro, Senior Principal at AFRY management consulting
• The Brazilian Mining Association (IBRAM)
  Mr. Flávio Penido, CEO
• Sensmet presentation
  Mr. Toni Laurila, CEO & Co-founder, Sensemet
• Team Finland Brazil
•  Mr. Lasse Keisalo, TF Brazil coordinator
• Finncham Brazil
  Mr. Sergio Chamone, President, FinnCham Brazil
• Finnish-Latin American Business Council
  Ms. Kirsi Seppälainen, Chair, Finnish-Latin American Business Council

We wish you a warm welcome to our event!

Team Finland Team Finland network provides businesses with a smooth service chain, ranging from advice services to funding. The network offers tailor-made service packages for companies' internationalisation needs based on the services provided by the network actors. Team Finland service packages typically bring together services provided at least by centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Business Finland, Finnvera and Ministry for Foreign Affairs. https://www.team-finland.fi/en/about-team-finland

Finnish-Latin American Business Council The aim of the Finnish-Latin American Business Council is to promote trade and investment between Finland and Latin American countries. The Association is an excellent networking place for different actors. The Association organizes various events on current topics and provides up-to-date information on the economic situation and business opportunities in Latin American countries. https://kauppayhdistys.fi/suomalais-latinalaisamerikkalainen-kauppayhdistys/in-english-2/

Photo: Jaime Spaniol