Growing business ties and economic opportunities between Houston and Brazil were the focus of discussion during a recent Partnership event. Both regions share economic interests such as the growing startup and tech ecosystems and energy transition efforts. Business Beyond Borders, an internationally focused Business Resource Group (BRG) offered by the Partnership, convened global business professionals recently for a discussion on Brazil’s economy and trade as Houston’s third largest trading partner and Texas’ top South American country for foreign direct investment and trade. The program featured Ambassador Maria Izabel Vieira, Consul General of Brazil, who provided remarks to kick off the event, followed by a discussion with John Moseley, Chief Operations Officer, Port of Houston, and moderator, George Y. Gonzales, Partner, Haynes Boone. A major theme throughout the discussion was the increasing growth and opportunity Brazil presents. Trade between Houston and Brazil reached a 10-year high in 2021 at $16.9 billion. “Brazil has one of the largest and most dynamic economies in the world that has shown remarkable resilience,” Vieira said. She added Brazil holds a significant position in the oil and gas industry as well as  a growing position in the innovation and technology sectors. Moseley echoed Vieira’s sentiment as he discussed opportunities Brazil offers to Texas and Houston with the country’s growth potential. “When you think of international trade, you immediately think of China. Brazil doesn’t get a lot of headlines, but they have a significant economy in North America and the world that has global stature,” Moseley said. Here are a few more key takeaways from the discussion: Brazil’s Clean Energy Grid Renewables meet almost 45% of the primary energy demand in Brazil, making its energy sector one of the least carbon-intensive across the globe. The country’s energy grid has one of the cleanest in the world coming from renewable resources.  Moseley said there’s an excellent opportunity for Brazil and Houston to continue the conversation surrounding the energy transition. Events like CERAWeek and the Partnership’s Future of Global Energy conference serve as avenues, allowing both regions to discuss challenges and opportunities.  Digital Technology Brazil touts itself as one of the largest innovative and entrepreneurial places that fosters growth. Vieira highlighted the country’s rapidly growing digital tech scene, emphasizing the massive potential of the Porto Digital Technology Park. Vieira said in 2020, 8.4% of Brazil’s GDP was within digital technology, and this is expected to grow to 10% by 2025. She added there has been a 20% increase in the number of startups in Brazil, further signaling the growing interest in innovation. According to a report by IBM, 78% of business leaders plan to invest in AI and digital tech across the globe, which Vieira said that places Brazil in a valuable and favorable position for these investments. Houston’s position as a global leader in tech and innovation creates opportunities for the Partnership with Brazil, leading to beneficial aspects for both countries. Brazil’s Unique Position and Growth “Brazil’s proximity to Houston as the energy hub of the world provides a unique opportunity. There are lots of parallels Brazil has with Houston including a focus on the energy transition and having one of the largest agriculture economies,” Moseley said, adding the country’s leadership in the renewable energy space also provides a significant opportunity for leadership in this sector. According to a 2013 study by the Boston Consulting Group, the rapid recent growth of the middle class has outlined an opportunity for firms to invest in Brazil. “There has been an incredible rise in the middle-class population with nearly 40 million accounting for the overall increase in the region,” Moseley said. Gonzales added “the middle class is what drives the economy – healthcare, education and infrastructure.” Want to hear more internationally focused programming? Click here to opt-in to our Business Beyond Borders email roster for more information.

The Greater Houston Partnership’s International Investment and Trade team traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to meet with various government and government-related agencies as part of continued efforts to align our activities in Houston with those at the national level. The Partnership team also provided the Houston business community’s perspective on key trade issues. The visit began with a meeting with President and Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Reta Jo Lewis and her team for a dialogue on the funding opportunities for Houston companies that are interested in exporting abroad. Texas is the largest export state in the country and Houston is well known as a center for global commerce; both are major markets for Ex-Im Bank.  Through its new Make More in America Initiative, the Bank is also providing competitive tools to companies seeking to invest in and create jobs in the U.S market. The Partnership has been a proud and well-established supporter of Ex-Im Bank and looks forward to building on our work and welcoming Chair Lewis to Houston in the future.  The delegation met with members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for an in-depth briefing on recent international trade developments and regional activities in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The Chamber and the Partnership are long-standing partners committed to continuing our collaboration on key international topics, especially as they relate to trade and foreign investment.  Later this month, the Partnership and the U.S. Chamber will co-host the Advance with Africa initiative, which will bring together small and medium-sized businesses and the African business community in Houston for a robust discussion on the economic opportunities available in this dynamic region.  As the World Bank Private Sector Liaison Office, the delegation also had an opportunity to meet with Lisa Castro, World Bank PSLO Coordinator, and Danica Starks, Advisor to the U.S. Executive Director and Head of the DOC Multilateral Development Bank Group, to discuss engagement opportunities for Houston companies and World Bank tender and procurement projects abroad. The World Bank, along with other federal agencies, offers public funding opportunities, advocacy, counseling, and other critical services to companies interested in taking advantage of those projects. The group also had a chance to meet Adriana Kugler, Executive Director for the United States at the World Bank Group, and former University of Houston professor.  The delegation ended the day with a visit to the U.S Trade and Development Agency’s headquarters to re-engage with the agency on work focused on the energy transition, infrastructure development, healthcare, and other critical technologies. The USTDA offers project support through feasibility study funding and other important services that are essential to companies looking for investment opportunities around the world. The Partnership has been a Making Global Local partner since 2012 and was the first EDO to join the initiative. Over the years, the Partnership has worked with USTDA on reverse trade missions, export workshops, and promoting trade opportunities for Houston companies. We look forward to continuing this work in 2023 and beyond. The delegation met with International Trade Administration’s Advocacy Center representatives on Wednesday, where we discussed how the Center primarily promotes exports to maintain and generate U.S. jobs. The Center helps to provide Houston companies with the resources necessary to enter new foreign markets. The organization develops support by coordinating U.S. government agencies’ strategic efforts to ensure U.S. companies win bids on foreign tenders against competing international firms.  The Partnership team also had the opportunity to meet with Arun Venkataraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, and Jasjit Singh, Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program, who lead the government's twofold mission to help small- and mid-size enterprises by attracting foreign business to the United States and demystifying exporting abroad.  The delegation will attend this year's SelectUSA Investment Summit to join the government's efforts to boost the economy, generate employment opportunities, and increase American competitiveness. Notably, the Partnership team will make the case to international corporations that Houston remains the best place to conduct business.  These meetings pave the way for future progress in attracting foreign direct investment in Houston, as well as enabling local businesses to prosper through efforts abroad. The Partnership looks forward to more opportunities to build Houston’s status as a global trade hub. Learn more about international business in Houston.  Josefina Echeverria also contributed to this report.