The contracts relate to the the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics as well as the Pedra de Ferro mining project.
UKTI estimates that the World Cup and Olympic Games in Brazil will generate business opportunities worth up £17bn for British companies. The opportunities include construction, environmental services and transportation.
It is running a trade mission for companies to learn more about the opportunities from 24 May until 1 June. Eligible British companies will have the chance to meet the World Cup Delivery Authority (SECOPA), leading Brazilian contractors as well as global manufacturers producing in Brazil and end users of construction and mining equipment.
The Pedra de Ferro mining project, in North East Brazil is expected to award contracts worth in excess of £3bn. There is a particular emphasis on awarding contracts that provide eco-efficient technologies and clean development mechanisms. UKTI said that the project offers a range of opportunities to British businesses. These include mine infrastructure, construction, transport infrastructure and new port development.
“British businesses in Brazil already have an impressive track record of delivering large scale construction programmes around the world to time and to budget, including the main venues and infrastructure for the Olympic Games in London, where construction was completed a year ahead of the event,” said UK Trade & Investment sectors group managing director Edward Oakden, who is heavily involved in the Pedra de Ferro project. “As such, British companies are well placed to win a share of the exciting Pedra de Ferro project. UK Trade & Investment’s forthcoming trade mission will give British companies direct contact with the mine developers, construction equipment purchasers and a wide range of other firms involved in these complex infrastructure projects. I strongly encourage British companies to join this trade mission and to see for themselves the enormous trade potential both in the Pedra de Ferro project specifically and in Brazil more generally.”
Talking about his experience of joining a UK Trade & Investment trade mission, Tim Whiteman, CEO and managing director of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) said: “UK Trade & Investment’s 2011 mission to Brazil helped IPAF make new contacts and understand the size of a market we had just started working in. The briefings we received were first class and particularly helped us to understand the opportunities and problems facing us in delivering our training programmes to the Brazilian market. Sessions on banking, legal responsibilities and the political system were especially helpful. As a result the company now has members and approved training centres in Brazil and are about to recruit further.”
- Businesses who would like to find out more about the Pedra de Ferro project should contact John Strang at UK Trade & Investment at john.strang@ukti.gsi.gov.uk.
- Companies who are interested in participating in the mission should contact Joanna Oliver at Joanna.oliver@admin.co.uk.
- UK Trade & Investment has also produced two reports on the opportunities around the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics: ‘Game On – Progress in Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup’ and ‘Brazil’s moment to shine – Opportunities for UK business in the Rio 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games’. Businesses who would like copies of the report can obtain them by e-mailing sarah.wynn@ukti.gsi.gov.uk.
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