Brazil’s Innovation Capital Seeks Indian Partnership In Green Energy, Infra
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil's southernmost state invites Indian investors for reconstruction plan
It is a great opportunity for Indian companies to participate in our Rio Grande Plan for Climate Planning, Reconstruction and Adaptation as we recover from the worst floods in 80 years, said Gabriel Vieira de Souza, Vice Governor of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul.
In an interactive meeting at WTC Mumbai, he said, “ We want to rebuild our highways, ports, residential areas and industrial infrastructure as 95 per cent of our cities are affected. Our state government will alone invest USD 4 billion on reconstruction projects. We are keen to invite Indian companies and investors for reconstruction and climate resilient infrastructure projects in Rio Grande do Sul, which is Brazil's fourth largest economy, sixth most populous and multicultural state with a strategic location and skilled workforce."
The vice governor added that Rio Grande do Sul is the innovation capital of Brazil as it ranks number one in patent filing as per CLP Ranking. The state has 18 technology parks with two of the best parks in Brazil. The state has 1300 active startups, of which 80 are agritech startups (2023). Porto Alegre, the capital city, is among the top five most promising emerging ecosystems for startups in Latin America.”
He invited the Indian industry to partner with his government in green energy, green hydrogen, and other emerging sectors.
He said, “We are leading Brazil’s initiatives in green hydrogen and renewable energy as we are committed to decarbonisation and signatory to Race to Zero, Race to Resilience 2050. We invite Indian companies to explore business opportunities in agriculture value chain, petrochemicals, forestry, engineering, healthcare and other sectors. Out state is also competitive in green hydrogen and renewable energy. I invite Indian companies to harness 1028 GW of wind energy potential in our state, of which 5 per cent is utilised.”
Gabriel de Souza invited Indian companies to make Rio Grande do Sul as the gateway to the Latin America and the Mercosur region. He said, “50 million inhabitants and 70 per cent of Latin America’s GDP is within 1,500 km of the capital Porto Alegre. The state has the 5th highest number of highly qualified formal workers. It is Brazil’s third most industrialised state with 2nd highest share of high-tech industries and the state with the largest number of airports and regional connections. Our state has Port of Mercosur, one of the most important ports in South America for large ships.”
Joao de Mendonca Lima Neto, Consul General, Consulate General of Brazil pointed out that there is enormous potential for bilateral cooperation as India is the world’s 5th largest economy and Brazil is the 9th largest economy. The first two years of my tenure have been rather quiet. But this year, I have been overwhelmed by the number of official and business visits from Brazil to India.
The Consul General added that the visit of the Vice Governor of Rio Grande do Sul to Mumbai highlights the importance his government places in promoting trade and investment with India. Rio Grande do Sul is one of the most prosperous states in Brazil with 6.5 per cent share in the country’s GDP. It is a state that excels in agriculture, industry, infrastructure, education, and health. With advanced network of airports and ports, the state has substantive trade links with Latin America and the world in general.
