Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
Saint Martin’s University and the Thurston Economic Development Council are proud to announce the first business conference in the South Sound area to address business opportunities in Brazil.
The panel discussion, moderated by Michael Cade, director of the TEDC, will take place Monday, November 17, from 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., in the Norman Worthington Conference Center, located on the Lacey campus of Saint Martin’s University, 5000 Abbey Way SE. “Business Opportunities in Brazil” is scheduled during a five-day, international conference designed to promote another first — student exchange between Washington and Brazil.
The conference, which concludes Friday, November 21, is being held in response to President Barack Obama’s “100,000 Strong in the Americas” signature education initiative that was launched in January. The goal of 100,000 Strong is to increase the number of U.S. students studying in Latin America and the Caribbean to 100,000, as well as boosting the number of Latin American and Caribbean students studying in the U.S. to 100,000.
An equally important initiative, according to conference organizers, is to provide the local business community with a convenient opportunity to learn why they should consider doing business with Brazil, given its emergence as a vibrant economic engine. Brazil has also taken center stage as the recent host of the 2014 Soccer World Cup and as host of the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics.
“It is currently the seventh largest economy in the world and Brazil is already directly linked to Washington’s economy,” says Riley Moore, Ph.D., associate professor of economics in the Saint Martin’s School of Business. “Embraer, a Brazilian manufacturer of airplanes, buys parts from Washington-based suppliers. Also, Paccar Inc. recently opened a $320 million truck factory in Brazil.” Based in Bellevue, Paccar Inc. is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of premium light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks.
In addition, there are approximately 5,000 Brazilians living in western Washington and many were instrumental in starting the recent Puget Sound Brazilian Innovation Society to encourage entrepreneurship and social engagement in Washington.
Topics to be covered during the panel discussion include:
— Market overview of the business environment and emerging opportunities
— Visa and licensing requirements
— Transportation and logics issues
— Business culture and practices
— Resources available for local businesses here and in Brazil
Confirmed speakers include:
— Stephen Murphy, senior advisor, Latin America, Pacific Northwest Advisors
— J. Marcio Da Cruz, R&D technical manager, Starbucks Coffee Company
— Pedro De Magalhaes Castro, principle, Magellan Architects
— Pedro Augusto Leite Costa, honorary consul of Brazil, Seattle
— Young Oh, U.S. commercial officer, U.S. Department of Commerce
The cost to attend the business panel discussion is $25 and attendees are asked to register with the Thurston County Economic Council for the event.
