ABCC – Forthcoming Events

Sporting events business mission to Brazil 21 – 26 November 2010

The ABCC in conjunction with ALABC, AISES and Austrade is conducting a business mission to Brazil from 20 to 26 November 2010 to target business opportunities arising from the 2014 Football World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Brazil is focussed on leveraging both events to deliver long-term results for the country in the areas of infrastructure, sustainability, urban development and venue legacy.
For more information and to register contact: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au

ABCC – Karoon Gas Christmas Cocktail – 17th November 2010

The ABCC and Karoon Gas are hosting a cocktail to celebrate the end of 201o and would like to invite our members and friend to take part.

Details are:
Date: Wednesday, 17th November
Time: From 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Venue: CQ Lanai Bar
113 Queen St, Melbourne
Cost: (includes cocktail foods and wine, beverages)
ABCC Members: Free of Charge
Non-Members: $40.00
Dress Code: Business Attire

To register, please fill in this form and send to: abcc@australiabrazil.com.au or fax us on: (02) 9908 5826.

Brazil Film Festival 2010

BRISBANE 18 – 21 November
The Tribal Theatre

Following the success of its first edition in Sydney last year, Brazil Film Festival is coming to Melbourne and Brisbane for the first time this year. The exciting program delivers four feature films and a selection of short films fresh from Brazil and never screened in Australia before. Prepare to be delighted with our vibrant cinematic snapshots of Brazil.


OPENING NIGHT FILM

Lula, the Son of Brazil ( Lula, o Filho do Brasil, 2009, 128 mins)

Directed by Fábio Barreto, with Glória Pires, Cléo Pires, Juliana Baroni, Milhem Cortaz, and Ricardo Dias.
Based on the homonym biography by Denise Paraná on Brazil’s hugely popular president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, portraying his early years, this film by Fábio Barreto (O Quatrilho) is one of the most expensive ever made in the country. Although the film was independently funded it has raised quite a few eyebrows in Brazil where it was coincidentally released on election year and then picked to represent the country as a candidate for Best Foreign Language Film in the 2011 Academy Awards just 10 days before the federal elections. Politics aside, this is the improbable real story of a shoeshine boy who became president and a trajectory that is no different to that of millions of Brazilians when it comes to their extraordinary capacity to overcome difficulties.
Pre-movie Live music entertainment and cocktail @ foyer
Afterparty 'Brazilian theme' @ O'Maley's in the Queen St. Mall

Friday 19th of November 7pm
Pachamama (2010, 105 mins)

Directed by Eryk Rocha
Recipient of multiple awards and directed by Glauber Rocha’s son, Eryk Rocha, Pachamama tells the story of the director's journey through the Brazilian Amazon rainforest on his way to Peru and Bolivia, where he encounters the reality of people historically cut-off from the political process of their own country and that, for the first time, are attempting to have a say in the outcome of their own fate. The title of the film, Pachamama, is a word that means “Mother Earth” to certain groups of Native Americans, and refers to the bucolic goddess of the rural workers. A meditative film that also reveals social movements and moments often obscured from outsiders.
This screening will be preceded by a selection of short films.
Best documentary – Cineport Festival 2009
Festival de Nuevo Cine Havana 2009 (official selection)
Latin American Film Festival at Los Angeles (official Selection)

Saturday 20th of November - 7pm
DZI Croquettes (2010, 110 mins)

Directed by Tatiana Issa and Raphael Alvarez
Brazil’s most internationally awarded documentary in history tells the journey of the group Dzi Croquettes in the early 70´s. The Dzi Croquettes were an infamous Brazilian dance-theatre group at the heart of the 1960s Tropicália cultural movement and used imagination, irony, and humour to confront Brazil’s violent dictatorship - and in the process revolutionized the nation’s gay rights movement and changed the language of theatre and dance for a generation. This star-studded film features testimonials not only by some of the greatest names in Brazilian entertainment but also by Liza Minnelli, the croquettes’ ‘godmother’ herself! Not to be missed...

Winner of 11 awards including:
Best Documentary – Rio International Film Festival 2009
Best Documentary – Sao Paulo International Film Festival
Best Documentary – Toronto GLBT International Film Festival 2010

Official Selection:
Frameline International GLBT Film Festival 2010
Tribeca Film Doc Series 2010


CLOSING NIGHT FILM - Sunday 21st of November 6:30pm
Love Stories Last Only 90 Minutes ( Histórias de Amor Duram Apenas 90 Minutos, 2010, 93 mins)
Directed by Paulo Halm, with Caio Blat, Maria Ribeiro, Luz Cipriota, Daniel Dantas and Hugo Carvana.
Accomplished screenwriter Paulo Halm’s (The Battle of Canudos, Two Lost on a Dirty Night) debut feature is an unpretentious sexy comedy about thirty somethings in bohemian Rio. Zeca is a young writer living in Lapa. He has spent years writing a novel he just can’t seem to finish and gets by on handouts from his family and lives a strained relationship with beautiful and successful wife Julia. Everything seems to change, though, when he starts to suspect that Julia is cheating on him with a sensual and flirtatious Argentinean woman, Carol. Will this be enough to shake Zeca out of his writer’s block?
This screening will be preceded by a selection of short films.
After party at Casablanca 52 Petrie Tce. Paddington. Live entertainment and shows

Best Feature – Santa Maria Luso-Brazilian Festival 2009
Best Actor – FestCine Goiania 2009
Best Sound Design – FestCine Goiania 2009

Tickets
Tickets are being sold online through Moshtix and at the festival´s website.
For more information please contact:
claudio.climaco@brazilfilmfestival.com.au

ABCC - Feed Back on Events

South Australia’s Eyes on Brazil

On 28th October 2010, the South Australian Chapter of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Exporters’ Club to present the Eyes on Brazil Technology Forum.

Seventy delegates from the private sector, industry and trade organisations, education and government sectors attended the forum and heard about four technology sectors in Brazil and the opportunities for Australian firms, specifically Renewable Energy, ITC, Health Businesses, and Resource Technologies.

Delegates gained valuable insights into doing business with Brazil through the experiences of technology companies currently trading or doing business in Brazil. They also heard about the range of trade and facilitation services offered through Austrade, the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce and the Exporters’ Club.

The Honorary Consul of Brazil, Mr William Frogley officially opened the forum and congratulated the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce and the Exporters’ Club for organising the event. Bob Shepard (General Manager of the Exporters’ Club) provided insight into Brazil’s significance as one of the four BRIC nations and outlined similarities between Brazil and Australia’s trade environment.

Richard Hancock who heads up the South Australian Chapter of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce, thanked major sponsors Carnegie Mellon University and Jetset Norwood, before discussing the improved economic and political conditions that characterise Brazil and which serve to attract investment. Richard also discussed the massive infrastructure spend planed for the World Cup and Rio Olympics and the opportunities this presents for Australian companies.

The ITC sector was represented by Aliomar Galvão (Softex Recife) who outlined the size and extent of ITC in Brazil. Brazil has an ambitious target to become the world’s 4th largest market by 2020, which will necessitate partnerships with foreign companies to complement Brazil’s capabilities. Aliomar invited Australian companies to explore collaborative opportunities with Softex in areas of research, technology development and business. During his presentation, Aliomar was kindly assisted by the interpreter Christian Schmidt.

Daniel Tejera and Nigel Baker from Pacific Hydro gave an account of clean energy markets in Brazil and discussed the economic drivers that underpinned Pacific Hydro’s expansion of wind farm operations into Brazil. Daniel and Nigel outlined Pacific Hydro’s projects in North East Brazil and explained how growth prospects continue on the back of forecast energy demand and Government emphasis on more diverse clean energy supplies.

Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific) spoke about the size and breadth of resources sector in Brazil, and Thermo Fisher’s activities in provision of analytical technologies for mineral processing plants across Brazil. In addition to some personal observations about Brazil, Tim provided some important messages for companies contemplating doing business in Brazil, including getting to know the people, developing long term commitments, and understanding futebol!

Patricia Moessinger, representing Austrade, spoke about cleantech in Brazil which has the world’s third largest cleantech investment spend, particularly across energy, water and waste sectors. Patricia spoke of the plentiful opportunities for Australian companies in fields of instrumentation, monitoring and measurement, green buildings, and biotechnology.

Jairo Kerr Azevedo, CE of Opto Global (Aust) gave an account of the Brazilian medical devices sector, which is the 8th largest medical devices market in the world. Jairo explained that the sector is projected to grow by 14.5% in the next 3 years due largely to the expanding middle class and increased access to medical treatment, coupled with substantial government support for investment in technology innovation. Capitalising on this growth, Opto Global has developed parterships with Brazil’s Opto Electronica, which Jairo explained is underpinned with key principles around product distribution and co-development projects for new technologies.

Fabio De Conto (Exporters’ Club) reinforced the unique role that the Exporters’ Club and ABCC have in developing partnerships between Australian and Brazilian companies and formally closed the Eyes on Brazil Technology Forum thanking all sponsors, supporters, guest speakers and delegates.

With all the formalities aside, delegates and guests mingled over drinks and an impressive spread of Brazilian canapés. Many thanks go to Raquel De Conto for her marvellous culinary leadership, and Luciana Garcia and Juliana Bernardi for their help during the forum.

The Forum’s success is attributed to the strong relationship forged between the ABCC (SA) and the Exporters’ Club, and the valuable sponsorship of Carnegie Mellon University and Jetset Norwood. Special mention also to several corporate supporters including the City of Onkaparinga, Woodstock Wines, University College London, Austrade, and McCaul Olive Oil. Thanks also to the Master of Ceremonies, Bruno Lima who kindly welcomed all the speakers and maintained the event at an efficient pace.

On a final note, the Forum served as the formal launch of the South Australia Eyes on Brazil program – a series of events leading up to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, that will explore trade and investment opportunities for South Australian companies and organisations. Planning is already underway for next year’s event.


Richard Hancock
Director ABCC (SA)

Christian Schmidt, Aliomar Galvão (Softex Recife)

Nigel Baker & Daniel Tejera (Pacific Hydro)

Richard Hancock (Director SA ABCC), William Frogley (Hon. Brazilian Consul), Fabio De Conto (Exporters Club)

Bruno Lima

Patricia Moessinger (Austrade)

Jairo Kerr Azevedo (Opto Global)

Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

James Jancu (Carnegie Mellon University)

Helen Blakebrough & Nieccia Miller (Jetset Norwood), Richard Hancock (ABCC)

Fabio De Conto (Exporters Club), Patricia Moessinger (Austrade), Barry Salter (CITCSA), Bob Shepard (Exporters Club), Michael Blake (ALABC), Richard Hancock (ABCC).

Richard Hancock (ABCC), Jeremy Stevenson (Aequus), Lucimar Almeida Nielsen & Tim Neilson (Brazcom Imports), and Carlos Eduardo Rodrigues.

Nigel Baker & Daniel Tejera (Pacific Hydro), Tim Sennett (Thermo Fisher Scientific).

Richard Hancock (ABCC) Susan Peterson (Carnegie Mellon University)

Volunteers: Juliana Bernardi, Luciana Garcia, Raquel De Conto, Goreti Bassi

Studies

Open High School Announces New Portuguese Course

2000 students can’t be wrong!

The Open High School, NSW’s leading language school, which will introduce Portuguese to its impressive list of curriculum offerings in 2011. This will bring the number of languages offered by the school to thirteen and the number of individual courses to 42. The new Year 11 course will be offered to students who have already studied Portuguese in Years 9 and 10.

“This course will enable students to keep the language of their ancestors as well as being very useful professionally,” said Dr Simeao de Mesquita, the Portuguese Consul General. “I support Open High School in their introduction of this important language.”

Open High School, one of six distance education centres in NSW, is the state’s major provider of languages by distance education. Students unable to study their chosen language in their own school, whether state or private, can enrol at Open High School where 100 teachers cater for the 2000 students who enrol annually.

A feature of the school is the use of Moodle, an online learning management system used to deliver course material, quizzes, video footage and internet links. Moodle gives students the option to progress at their own pace yet with ongoing teacher support to get the most out of their studies.

“I enjoy using Moodle,” said one of the many Open High School students who accesses the site. “It makes learning easier and more enjoyable because I can do the exercises when I want to and keep in regular contact with my teacher and other class members.”

A convenient way of finding out more about the school is to visit the website at theopenhs-d.schools.nsw.edu.au

ABCC New Members

The ABCC welcomes the following new members

• Joanna Cunningham


• Braanz Consulting


• Industry Funds Management


• Buller Wines


• MEO Australia


• Nelson Wilians Advogados Associados


• Kuehne Nagel Pty Ltd

Special Article From ABCC Member

Swift snares export crown

JON CONDON
29 Oct,2010 04:00 AM

SWIFT Australia has snared the agribusiness sector's first Premier of Queensland Exporter of the Year Award in a strong recognition of the broader beef industry's contribution to the State's economy and regional employment.

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, the overall winners of the annual Premier's Export Awards have tended to come from more 'fashionable' areas of business like Information Technology (IT), mining and resources

This year, however, Swift beat a stellar field including Xtrata Mt Isa Mines, Cook Australia (advanced medical technology) and Sedgman Ltd (mining engineering)

In addressing the awards audience on Thursday evening, Premier Anna Bligh said a fresh breed of companies was emerging in Queensland in meeting the major economic challenges of the new millennium.

"These businesses are innovative, dynamic, entrepreneurial and robust, and they are leading the way in global operations, finding new ways to service key industries and access markets overseas," she said.

In accepting the award, Swift Australia director and manager of sales and marketing, Jean Carlo Dilly, said the company's success had been based on a 'radical shift' from traditional methods of beef marketing and processing, which had led to a significant increase in employment and export revenue.

Since taking over the operations of Australia Meat Holdings in2007, parent company JBS Friboi has injected $66 million in capital improvements into the Beef City plant, lifting both volume and productivity.

Throughput has lifted from 865 head to I 100 head/day (5500/week), and processes have been implemented to meet the demands of new markets including halal slaughter and foreign language labeling requirements.

"Swift is proud of its export strategy, defined by ensuring that the best products and services are delivered to our customers.

That requires continual product innovation, proactive marketing and a focus on broadening market access," Mr Dilly said.

The company offered a comprehensive marketing service to customers, working with them to tailor product solutions and develop joint marketing and advertising campaigns.

An example of this was the recent installation and commissioning of Australia's first on-site intestine boiling facility at Beef City, designed in close partnership with a major overseas end-user.

The intestine products now have not only a greater value, but also an enviable reputation around the world for quality and uniformity.

Special Article

Brazil’s Presidential Elections

'I'll know how to honour Lula's legacy,' Rousseff says.

Brazilian president-elect Dilma Rousseff, 62, was self-confident Sunday after victory as the country's first-ever female president who will succeed hugely popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
"The task of succeeding him is difficult and challenging. But I'll know how to honour his legacy. I'll know how to consolidate his work and build upon it," an almost tearful Rousseff said of her mentor in her first address as president-elect.
"I'll knock on his door a lot, and I'm certain that I'll always find it open," she stressed.
She was speaking to an auditorium filled with Worker Party (PT) officials.
In her speech, Rousseff highlighted her historic position as Brazil's first female president, and she expressed the hope that such a feat can be replicated in other walks of life including business.
"I would really like the fathers and mothers of girls to look today into their eyes and tell them, 'Yes, women can'!" she said.
Rousseff said her most "fundamental commitment" would be the eradication of poverty and the creation of opportunities for all.
She also expressed a commitment to economic development, despite current difficulties.
"In the short term, we will not have the pull of developed economies to boost our growth. For that reason, our own policies, our own market, our own savings and our own economic decisions become even more important," she said.
Still, Rousseff underlined her intention to remain open to the world, and to continue to demand "the end of the protectionism of rich countries, which prevents poor nations from completely fulfilling their vocations."
"In the multilateral sphere, it is necessary to establish clearer and more careful rules for the recovery of financial markets, limiting leverage and excessive speculation, which increase the volatility of capital and currencies.
"We will act firmly in international forums with that goal," she said.
Posted by Earth Times

Economy

GE to spend $500 mln on Brazil

Nov 10 (Reuters) - General Electric Co(GE.N), plans to invest $500 million in Brazil to build a research center and expand its operations in Latin America's largest economy, a company executive said on Wednesday.
The largest U.S. conglomerate selected Brazil as the base for its fifth research and development center, which will focus on technological innovations in the oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, rail and aviation industries -- sectors that are growing rapidly in Brazil.
The research center will cost $100 million while the remainder of the money will be invested in developing new production lines and products over the next three years, said Ferdinando Becalli-Falco, president of GE International.
"We see (a bright) future that requires aggressive investment, which will result in more innovation coming to market," Becalli-Falco said in a statement.
Brazilian mining company Vale (VALE5.SA), the world's largest producer of iron ore, said in a separate statement it has signed a cooperation agreement with GE for development of infrastructure for generation, distribution and storage of energy.
Vale is one of Brazil's largest energy consumers and a major player in the development of infrastructure such as rail lines needed to move iron ore from isolated mines to ports. (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier, Writing by Brian Ellsworth, Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1026078920101110

Banking & Finance

BRAZIL: A GLOBAL ATM PLAYER

Brazil is the fourth largest ATM market in the world after the US, China and Japan with approximately 170,000 ATMs at the end of last year.
The ATMs in Brazil are more advanced than in many developed markets and several banks in Eastern Europe are copying the process and transactional capabilities of the Brazilian banks' ATMs, said Wanderley.
"In Brazil, banks use the ATM as a relationship tool and they offer their customers a myriad of functions," added Jaques Rosenzvaig, CEO at TecBan, the operator of the Banco24Horas ATM network.
TecBan is owned by the country's largest banks, and the strategy for Banco24Horas is to install ATMs in the outskirts of urban areas at non-bank locations, such as gas stations, supermarkets, shopping centers, drug stores and subway, bus and rail stations.
Banco24Horas has 40 financial institutions as members and serves as a complement to the bank's own ATM networks, especially at off-premise locations, Rosenzvaig said. In Brazil, banks still have most of their ATMs inside the bank branch due to security concerns.
Last year Banco24Horas had 7,200 ATMs that processed 430mn transactions, and Rosenzvaig expects the network to have 11,200 ATMs and reach 600mn transactions by year-end. The company generates its revenue by charging its members a fixed price per transaction.
Banco24Horas' members can choose among more than 40 functions to offer their clients, depending on their own ATM strategies.
Rosenzvaig said TecBan helps banks to attend customers where they would normally not install their own ATMs, like the famous favela Cidade de Deus in Rio de Janeiro. The ATM became "a celebrity" due to all the press coverage that the installation in the area received, he added.

Santander expanding in Brazil

“The completion of the integration between Santander Brasil (NYSE: BSBR) - the Brazilian unit of Spain'sSantander (NYSE: STD) - and Banco Real - formerly part of Dutch group ABN Amro - is expected by February or March of 2011, Santander Brasil CEO Fabio Barbosa told a press conference, which also included the Spanish parent bank's chairman Emilio Botin, in Sao Paulo.
"Most part of the bank's services can already be done in both Santander and Real branches, and that has been going on for a while. However, some other services will be available [in both] from February or March, when we will conclude our process of integration," Barbosa said.
Through the end of November, all branches of Banco Real in Brazil will move to Santander's brand. For now, there will not be any major changes for Banco Real's clients, who will maintain their account numbers, credit cards and checks, for example.
Santander Brasil senior executive VP for retail Jose Paiva confirmed to reporters that some 120 new branches will be opened in the country this year, but avoided making forecasts for how many new branches are expected for 2011.
In 2010-13, Santander plans to open 600 new branches, chiefly in the south and southeast regions of Brazil.
BOTIN COMES TO TOWN
The Spanish parent bank's chairman Botin highlighted the importance of Brazil, which currently accounts for 25% of the group's global earnings, and pointed out that the Brazilian division received US$27bn of investments over the last 10 years.
"Brazil is a solid country with an outstanding financial system. Brazil taught the world a lesson during the crisis," Botin said.
With the integration with Banco Real, Santander now has 24mn clients, 10.6mn active accounts and a base of 36mn credit and debit cards in Brazil.”
Bnamericas.com

Mining

Chinese presence in Brazil

Chinese firms are increasingly looking to build their own mining operations in Brazil, national mining association Ibram's R&D and economic data manager Antonio Lannes told BNamericas.
Up to now, Chinese firms have been involved in JVs and partnerships with local companies but Ibram recently received a Chinese delegation interested in local regulations, taxes and environmental licensing processes to begin new projects rather than buying existing operations, Lannes said.
The increase in China's foreign exchange reserves has prompted the country to look at international assets to ensure mineral and food supply, according to Lannes.
China's Wuhan Iron and Steel (Wisco), for example, acquired a 21.5% stake in Brazilian iron ore miner MMX (Bovespa: MMXM3) this year for 739mn reais (US$422mn). MMX has agreed to sell to Wisco at least 50% of the company's output from Serra Azul, part of the miner's Sudeste system. Iron ore shipments could reach 17Mt/y once the system is fully ramped up.
The acquisition of Brazilian iron ore and pig iron producer Itaminas by Chinese consortium ECE is another instance of Chinese involvement in local companies. Itaminas' iron ore mine in Minas Gerais state's Sarzedo has estimated reserves of 1.3Bt and ECE acquired the firm for US$1.2bn. The mine currently produces 3Mt/y of iron ore but this could be increased to 25Mt/y, according to press reports.
China consumes 1.3Bt/y of iron ore but it extracts no more than 350Mt/y. In 2009, China absorbed 56.4% of Brazil's iron ore production, according to Ibram's statistics.
MARKET SHARE
Chinese interest in building own operations would not pose a threat to local companies, Lannes said. Currently, the Chinese share in Brazil's iron ore output is 4-5Mt/y, a little above 1% of the annual iron ore production of 350Mt.
Over the next five years, Brazil is expected to double iron ore output to 700Mt/y and, even if Chinese companies are responsible for 15-20Mt/y of that production, it would still only account for 2-3% of national output, according to the expert.
Lannes is optimistic about foreign investment in general, and not just from China. "Investments in iron ore mining also involve considerable infrastructure projects to handle new production," he said Ibram is forecasting that US$62bn will be invested in the Brazilian mining industry through 2014. Of the total, 63.3% will be directed towards iron ore.
This year, mineral production is expected to generate US$35bn, of which US$20bn will be from iron ore mining.

Colossus Minerals Inc. Announces C$60,225,000 Bought Deal Financing

Toronto, Canada, October 25, 2010 - Colossus Minerals Inc. (TSX: CSI) (the “Company” or “Colossus”) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by GMP Securities L.P. (the “Underwriters”). The Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 7,300,000 common shares
(the “Common Shares”) of the Company, at a price of C$8.25 per Common Share (the “Offering Price”) for aggregate gross proceeds to Colossus of C$60,225,000 (the "Offering"). The Company has agreed to grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,095,000 Common Shares at the Offering Price, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering. If this option is exercised in full, an additional C$9,033,750 will be raised pursuant to the Offering and the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering will be C$69,258,750. The Common Shares will be offered by way of a short form prospectus to be filed in all of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec.
The net proceeds are intended to be used to fund expenditures on the Serra Pelada project and other exploration activities and for general working capital and corporate purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about November 16, 2010 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including the approval of the
Toronto Stock Exchange and the applicable securities regulatory authorities.
The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Source: http://www.infomine.com/index/pr/Pa943089.PDF

Information Technology

QAD notching 300% year-over-year growth in Brazil

US business software provider QAD's Latin American growth so far this year is being propelled by a 300% year-over-year sales jump in Brazil, the head of the company's Chilean unit, Jorge Rios, told BNamericas.

QAD, which focuses exclusively on software implementations for the manufacturing sector, is leveraging its presence in Brazil's automotive sector. Rios said the country will represent the focal point for QAD's Latin American expansion for the foreseeable future.

Although manufacturers' IT budgets shrunk during the global economic crisis, Rios noted that the industry is on the cusp of a major technological comeback throughout South America.

"From Colombia on down, things are going very well," he said. "We have seen good growth in Peru. Argentina is filled with opportunities because of policies encouraging manufacturing growth. In Chile, there isn't as much growth, but we have maintained sales levels."

On the other hand, the situation is not as rosy in Mexico and Central America, according to the executive.

"In Central America, there is very little manufacturing. There is mostly agricultural manufacturing with very few processes," he said. "What we are seeing in Mexico is that... the market and innovation are retracting. People are waiting to see what happens. The expectations in Mexico are not very positive... There is a significant pause in Mexico."

QAD is responding to the slowdown in Mexico by pushing on-demand versions of its solutions. Rios said the technology is catching the attention of executives grappling with fluctuations in company headcount.

"It has a great advantage considering the ups and downs of the economy," he said. "You can say 'if things go poorly and we have to close the factory, I will pay for 15 users this month. But, within four months, if we are firing on all cylinders, we are going to pay for 400 users.'"

In the long term, QAD's on-demand solutions are seen accounting for 50% of Latin American revenue growth through 2015, the executive added. The company expects overall Latin American revenues to increase 13% this year.

Founded in 1979, QAD currently serves over 5,555 manufacturers in 90 countries worldwide. The company posts more than US$200mn in global revenues annually.

By Matthew Malinowski

SAP brings innovation lab network to Latin America

SAP (NYSE: SAP) has made an initial investment of 1mn euros (US$1.39mn) in a new innovation lab in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the company said in a statement.

The lab is due to open on October 27.

It will be the company's fourth global "co-innovation" lab, designed to create an environment for collaborative development between SAP and its solution partners, system integrators, technology partners and customers.

SAP's other co-innovation labs are located in Palo Alto, California; Tokyo, Japan; and Bangalore, India, with interconnected operations supported by cloud computing.

National partners involved in the project to date are Sigga and LexConsult. International partners of the SAP co-innovation lab network include Cisco, F5 Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, NetApp, VMware, and Accenture.

SAP Brasil is also hoping to grow its local partner network through the site.

"This lab is part of the overall growth strategy for SAP in Brazil, while also supporting a broader technology agenda to join expert partners and customers in encouraging the adoption of service oriented architecture (SOA)," the statement said.

Telecommunications

Ciena to focus on financial sector, carriers with 100 Gbps DWDM solution

Network solutions provider Ciena Corporation (Nasdaq: CIEN) will focus on Brazil's financial sector and carriers to sell its newly introduced DWDM multiplexer capable of transmitting data speeds of 100 Gbps, Ciena's sales VP for Latin America and the Caribbean Fabio Medina, told BNamericas.
Ciena announced the availability of the solution in Brazil during the Futurecom telecoms conference held last week in Sao Paulo. The technology will be sold through local systems integrator First Tech and, according to Ciena, is the first 100 Gbps optical multiplexer available in Brazil where up to now the fastest speeds have been 10-40 Gbps.
According to Medina, today a lot more applications are sensitive to latency and milliseconds of delay can be critical for example in the case of the New York Stock Exchange, which adopted Ciena's DWDM.
"The NYSE said delay was costing them millions of dollars. If I place a purchase order to buy stock and a broker gets there a micro second before me, I lose the stock. So having less delay on the line became an economic driver to actually increase their transmission rate," Medina said.
Brazil in particular is at a critical stage when the country needs faster bit rate speeds due to support the burgeoning domestic traffic growth.
In addition, as the country prepares for the demands of the upcoming World Cup and Olympics in 2014 and 2016 respectively, Ciena's DWDM 100 Gbps is a good fit as it is capable of carrying 3D and HD images, Medina said.

Source: http://www.csann.com/submarine-telecom/south-america/106-ciena-to-focus-on-financial-sector-carriers-with-100-gbps-dwdm-solution.html

Infrastructure

$18bn Rio-São Paulo bullet train ready to tender

Brazil’s federal court of auditors – the country’s highest body regulating public spending – has given the go-ahead for the tender launch of a high-speed rail line connecting Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The goal is to create a 511-kilometre rail line with trains travelling at a top speed of nearly 400 kilometres per hour between the international airports of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Campinas and at least two intermediate stops. São Paulo and Rio are the Latin American country’s first- and second-most populous cities, respectively, while Campinas is a city about 100 kilometres northwest of São Paulo.
TCU, as the audit court is known, set the project’s final cost at just over R$33 billion (€14.8 billion; $18.5 billion) – a R$1.5 billion cut from its original price of R$34.6 billion. It also set the maximum tariffs for normal and peak time fares at R$149.85 and R$199.73 respectively, to be reviewed every five years. According to TCU, the line will generate R$192.7 billion in income over its 40-year concession period.
ANTT, the country’s federal transport body, said in a statement yesterday that it expects to tender the “bullet train” project by the end of next week. It also said that a public company called ETAV will be created to hold a 33 percent stake in the special purpose vehicle to be incorporated by the winner of the tender. ETAV can contribute a maximum of 10 percent of the project’s value.
The private partner will be eligible for up to R$19.9 billion, or roughly 60 percent, of the project’s cost in public funding over the course of 30 years, ATTN said. Repayments will only kick in once the five-year construction period – from 2011 to 2016 – finishes, the agency added.
Henrique Pinto - head of project structuring at Brazilian development bank BNDES, which is expected to provide the majority of the debt for the project – said the financing package for the winning consortium should come attached with clauses demanding a review of the financing terms at years five and ten. This is to protect investors from lower than expected demand in the first ten years of the project and secure a balance between revenues and cost of financing, he said.
New York-based Shearman & Sterling and São Paulo-based Manesco Ramires Perez Azevedo Marques Advocacia are the legal advisors on the contract.

Source: http://www.infrastructureinvestor.com/Article.aspx?article=54193&hashID=2173642738762BAEC1AF53F1309DFCABB8F8FB1B

Infraero launches $27 million tender for Salvador airport

Brazil's national airport authority Infraero has launched a 45.1mn-real (US$26.9mn) tender to expand and improve the Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhaes international airport in Bahia state capital Salvador.
The project involves work such as remodeling the passenger terminal, implementing passenger transport systems, renovating the airport apron and parking garage and improving access roads.
Proposals will be opened December 2, according to a tender notice published on Infraero's website.
The work is part Salvador's infrastructure improvement plan to prepare for hosting the 2014 World Cup.
BNamericas

Oil & Gas

Tuscany International Drilling Announces Contracts With HRT Oil and Gas, Provides Update on Other Contracts, New Rig Deployment and US$30 Million Loan Drawdown Under Existing Credit Facility

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 3, 2010) -
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY UNITED STATES NEWS SERVICES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.
Tuscany International Drilling Inc. (TSX:TID) ("Tuscany" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed two contracts with HRT Oil and Gas ("HRT"). Under the contracts with HRT, Tuscany will provide two 1500 hp heliportable drilling rigs in Brazil, beginning operations in the first quarter of 2011. The term of the contracts is four years with an option to renew. The contracts have the potential to generate over $100 million of revenue over the initial term of the contracts.
Tuscany is pleased to be a key drilling rig provider to HRT, who recently concluded a successful initial public offering. The contracts with HRT represent Tuscany's entry into Brazil and the Company has opened operational and administrative offices in Rio de Janeiro and Manaus in order to support operations and services in the country.
A drilling contract has also been signed with a Peruvian affiliate of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. to provide a heliportable rig in Peru, which marks Tuscany's entry into Peru. In addition, a number of contracts have been signed in Tuscany's existing operating areas of Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana.
Of the eight newly constructed rigs remaining to be deployed to South America, four have been shipped and are currently unloading in ports in South America. Three are unloading in Santa Marta, Colombia and the fourth rig is unloading in Callou, Peru. A fifth newly built rig has been transported from Red Deer, Alberta to Houston, Texas and is scheduled to be shipped to South America on November 6, 2010 and a sixth newly built rig is scheduled to be loaded and trucked from Red Deer to Houston on November 8, 2010 and shipped to South America in mid November 2010. The two remaining rigs, destined for Brazil, are anticipated to complete construction in November 2010 and be transported immediately upon completion.
Tuscany currently has nine rigs operational in South America. The Company plans to have its current fleet of 17 rigs completely operational in South America in January 2011 with nine rigs in Colombia, four in Ecuador, two in Brazil, one in Peru and one in Guyana.
In addition, the Company has drawn an additional US$30 million loan under its existing senior secured guaranteed term credit facility with Credit Suisse, who is acting as one of the lenders and as the Administrative Agent. US$45 million remains available to be drawn under the facility, subject to the Company complying with certain conditions. In consideration for underwriting the upsize of the facility, Tuscany granted Credit Suisse and another underwriter the aggregate of 2,400,000 share purchase warrants. The warrants are exercisable at US$1.50 per warrant, expire 2.5 years from the date of grant and are subject to a hold period expiring on March 3, 2011. Loan proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes including short term working capital as the rig fleet is deployed, initial costs associated with the expansion into Brazil and Peru, upgrades to existing equipment, and for completion and deployment of the two 1,500 hp drilling rigs destined for Brazil.

Source: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Tuscany-International-Drilling-Announces-Contracts-With-HRT-Oil-Gas-Provides-Update-TSX-TID-1346310.htm

Petrobras CEO Says Will Add 20 Foreign Rigs by 2012

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Brazil’s state-controlled oil company, said it’s leased 20 foreign drilling rigs to begin operation in the next two years as it seeks to boost oil and gas output at offshore fields.
Domestic shipyards will also start delivering the first of an additional 28 rigs to be built in Brazil by about 2014, Petrobras Chief Executive Jose Sergio Gabrielli said today at an event in Rio de Janeiro. Environmental permits have complicated the contracts to build the rigs locally, he said.
Petrobras, based in Rio de Janeiro, is contracting rigs from overseas oil-services providers to help tap offshore deposits such as Libra and Tupi, the largest discoveries in the Western Hemisphere in the past three decades. Brazilian government regulations also dictate that the state-owned company should prioritize some purchases from local suppliers.
Oslo-based Seadrill Ltd, which supplies Petrobras, rose 84 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $33.64 at 2:12 p.m. New York time. Four of Seadrill’s 11 deepwater rigs were located in Brazil in the third quarter, according to the company’s website.
Petrobras has contracted 18 rigs to be delivered in 2011 and 2012, and may have to hire more to compensate for potential construction delays in Brazil, according to Jud Bailey, an analyst who covers oil drillers at Jefferies & Co. in Houston.
‘Bridge the Gap’
It is “very unlikely” local suppliers will deliver the 28 rigs in the next three-to-seven years that Petrobras is expecting, Bailey said today in a telephone interview.
“There’s been a lot of talk that they would come out and tender for incremental rigs in 2011 and 2012,” he said. “They could contract them to bridge the gap.”
Petrobras will probably be unable to receive the rigs it needs in Brazil until 2015 because of the lack of existing infrastructure, Pride International Inc Vice President Kevin Robert said in a Nov 4 conference call with investors. Pride rents deepwater rigs to Petrobras, which may need to tap international contractors further, he said.
Brazil holds the largest oil discoveries in the Americas since 1976, and Petrobras plans to invest $224 billion in the five years through 2014 to boost oil production and refining. Gabrielli said Petrobras will get the rigs on time and meet its long-term production targets.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-09/petrobras-to-add-20-foreign-oil-drill-rigs-by-2012-ceo-says.html

Events – Australia

Fire Australia Conference & Exhibition
Date: 10-NOV-10 to 12-NOV-10
Fire Australia Conference & Exhibition is Australia's Leading Trade fair for Industrial Goods. Fire Australia Conference & Exhibition will be held at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia. , Anti-Terrorist and Custom Equipment, Ambulance, First Aid and EMS Equipment, Biometry will be targeting Professionals related to the field of fire departments, investigation & protection agencies, security & safety products manufacturers & suppliers.
Venue: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
WAMEX MINING & ENGINEERING EXPO
Date: 10-NOV-10 to 12-NOV-10
WAMEX Mining Expo 2010 is the world class event which will provide the business with the opportunity to meet thousands of genuine major decision-makers from the growing WA Mining and engineering industry, along with national and international visitors.
Venue: Claremont Showgrounds, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show-Sydney
Date: 13-NOV-10 to 14-NOV-10
100+ Exhibitors providing food and products to help those with Coeliac Disease, a gluten intolerance or looking for a healthier lifestyle. The Coles Cooking Stage provides top name chefs cooking up a gluten free storm. Seminar Theatres both inform and entertain. This is the only Healthy Food Show to attend.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
FinTech World Australia
Date: 16-NOV-10 to 18-NOV-10
FinTech World Australia 2010 is the only dedicated industry wide financial services event in Australia for senior IT professionals. It brings together CIOs, CEOs and COOs from leading financial organizations to identify how technology can assist in driving revenue growth and profitability within their businesses.
Venue: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Australian International Sourcing Fair
Date: 17-NOV-10 to 19-NOV-10
Australian International Sourcing Fair-AISF is aims to serve as the sourcing and supplychain management and promote the know how, production capabilities and abilities of manufactures and suppliers in the Australasian region. The vent will be held between 17-19 Nov 2010 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Ausrail Plus Conference & Exhibition
Date: 23-NOV-10 to 24-NOV-10
Ausrail 2010 is a trade fair devoted entirely to railways, railway transport and the role of the railway in society. This is where people come to discuss issues concerning the future, to examine innovations, make contacts, do business, acquire knowledge, and of course meet colleagues.
Venue: Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Private Banking & Wealth Management Australia
Date: 23-NOV-10 to 24-NOV-10
Private Banking & Wealth Management Australia will bring together private banks, wealth managers, financial advisors, dealer groups and platform providers to discuss the changes the economic down turn has forced upon the industry. The event is dedicated to providing contacts and solutions to prepare the industry for growth. A conference also will be held during the exhibition.
Venue: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Events – Brazil

Soccerex Global Convention
Date: 20-NOV-10 to 24-NOV-10
Soccerex Global Convention is now in its 15th edition and has firmly established itself as the only global convention dedicated to the professional b2b football environment. By providing a unique platform for delegates and exhibitors to learn, network and dobusiness with the football industry's finest, Soccerex has become a 'must-attend' event in the football calendar - and after a successful decade of bringing the football world together, Soccerex moves onto its fourth continent.
Venue: Rio de Janeiro Convention Center, Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Couromoda
Date: 17-JAN-11 to 20-JAN-11
Couromoda, International Shoes, Sportsgoods and Leathergoods Fair ranks third worldwide and it is Latin America specialized leading trade fair. It is the most importantbusiness and launchings event of the footwear and leathergoods industry; and the most patronized and representative fair of the sector.
Venue: TBA, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Premiere Vision-Brazil
Date: 19-JAN-11 to 20-JAN-11
Held Int Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Premiere Vision-Brazil is transited itself into Brazil's one of the biggest event on Fabrics & Textiles sector. It is aimed towards displaying fabrics, fabrics for woman's wear, men's wear and children wear, laces. The venue becomes hub of pioneer exhibitors from different parts of the world which give a view of environment & cleaning technologies, urban utilities & services.
Venue: Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil