Belo’s ties to Australia deepen

The state of Minas Gerais and its capital Belo Horizonte continue as strong links for Australia following a visit by a large delegation of Australian business and government representatives last Thursday as part of the previously-mentioned Brazil sport and major events-focused trade mission.

Trade mission unmasks opportunities in ‘the marvellous city’

A major Australian trade mission to Rio de Janeiro has learnt first-hand the enormity of the task required to prepare the city for the 2016 Olympics and, to a lesser extent, the 2014 World Cup. Opportunities across a range of industries linked to the two events are being revealed each day and a number of links are already in the making.

Hotel sector finally hotting up

After years of stagnation Brazil´s hotel sector has been well and truly sparked by the opportunities associated with the world´s two biggest sporting events, with initial preparations for the 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 showing up the dearth of supply right across the country.

Government focused on linking sport and education

Brazil´s Minister of Sport Orlando Silva Jr has provided some telling insights into future sport policy in the country, declaring at an event in Rio through the week that their challenge for 2011 and beyond is to increasingly link sport to education and provide new opportunities for social inclusion for millions of students around the country. He said although they have already begun to invest in the area there now needs to be much greater effort to ensure sustainable development across various sporting disciplines, both before and after the two mega-events scheduled to be held in the country over the coming years.

Rio 2016 architecture competition launched

The competition for the design of a range of 2016 Olympics facilities in Rio de Janeiro´s ‘Porto Maravilha’ redevelopment has been launched, with prizes of up to R$80k on offer.

Called Olympic Port, the competition is being run by the Brazilian Architect’s Institute, the Rio city council and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and proposals must be submitted by January 25.

A river of projects in Brazil´s southernmost capital

Porto Alegre in Brazil´s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul (big river of the south) sits just a few hundred kms from the Uruguayan border on the eastern bank of the Guaiba river, which itself forms part of the Lagoon of the Ducks, a large lake fed by five rivers. This natural feature has seen the city grow into an important port as well as one of Brazil´s chief industrial and commercial centres, despite being only the eleventh most populous city in the country with around 1.4 million inhabitants, although there are over 4 million in the wider metropolitan area.

More sporting promises from president elect

In a follow up to last week´s report on the Brazilian election, the country´s newest president, 62 year old Dilma Rousseff, has provided further details of her encouraging plans for the Brazilian sport industry in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics.

Trade mission centred on Soccerex shaping up well

This week sees the launch of the all important networking tool for the annual Soccerex global convention, which is one of the highlights of the upcoming Australian trade mission to Brazil.

Mission participants that have already signed on for the world’s leading football business event can now log in and begin marking meetings and networking opportunities amongst the more than 700 registered attendants. The convention will feature many heavyweights and decision makers from Brazil's flourishing sport industry and should throw up a range of chances to develop business, both during and around the event.

Election result a big win for Brazilian sport

This week’s election result is being considered a strong result for Brazil’s sport industry with president elect Dilma Rousseff having promised increased spending for the area on top of the already significant commitments of recent years, including ongoing World Cup and Rio Olympics preparations, both of which she has had a previous hand in through her previous role as Chief of Staff in the Lula government.