Swedish Executives visit Investe São Paulo and meet potential of State
Representatives of financial institutions see investment opportunities in São Paulo and projects of development
The President of Investe São Paulo, Luciano Almeida, presented investment opportunities in the State to 25 Swedes, representatives of investment funds and banks of the Nordic country. The themes highlighted by Almeida during the lecture were the investment opportunities in the exploration of oil and gas on the coast of São Paulo and the competitive advantages of São Paulo compared to other States, such as consumer market, manpower and social and environmental commitment.
The Special Adviser for International Affairs at the Government of the State of São Paulo, Rodrigo Tavares, stressed out that most large Swedish companies are in Brazil and that São Paulo is the largest Swedish industrial center outside Sweden.
Among the topics discussed by the President of São Paulo Agency with the Swedish executives, was the access of small and medium-sized companies to bank financing. Almeida said in the Brazilian market funding still features high interest rates, however, the policy of São Paulo aims at facilitating the access to bank credit. He mentioned the São Paulo Agency of Promotion (Nossa Caixa Desenvolvimento) as an example. Created by the State Government to encourage investments in innovation and the sustainable development, it currently has R$ 600 million available to finance small and medium-sized companies.
Since innovation is one of the great highlights of the Swedish industry, the head of institutional relations of Nordea Bank AB, Torgny Krook, wondered what São Paulo has done in the area of research and development. The President of Investe São Paulo, explained the State of São Paulo is the state that invests the most on research in Brazil, and it features three of the best Brazilian universities. Besides, the Government created the São Paulo System of Technological Parks (SPTec), which allows the integration between businesses and research institutes, thus speeding up the pace of innovation in the industry of São Paulo.
Almeida wrapped up the meeting showing the State of São Paulo knows its strengths and weaknesses, and it is already working to offer, more and more, a better environment for foreign investors. "There are points in which we need to improve, and we know what these points are, but we have energy, land, water, favorable climate and a large consumer market. We are ready to receive more Swedish investments in São Paulo", he said.