Canada Enhances Business and Research Collaboration Opportunities With Brazil

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 30, 2012) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, wrapped up an official visit to Brazil yesterday, where he was part of the official delegation of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

During his visit, the Minister of State delivered a keynote address to business leaders, academics and government officials at an innovation forum in São Paulo. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of supporting collaborative research as a means of promoting innovation and economic growth.

"Our respective governments share a common commitment to science and technology as a way of ensuring future prosperity," said Minister of State Goodyear. "Collaboration between governments, academics and business people is vital to building innovative economies." The Minister of State welcomed the many bilateral collaborative research partnership arrangements between Brazilian and Canadian universities and research funding organizations that were signed during the mission.

The Minister of State also delivered welcoming remarks at the University of Campinas, where His Excellency spoke to Canadian and Brazilian university officials about university researchers and the private sector collaborating to create innovative communities.

Brazil is an important partner for Canada because of its strong science base, potential for innovation-based growth, and technological similarities with Canadian industry and academia. In November 2008, Canada and Brazil signed a Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation, which was ratified in 2010. The agreement allows Canadian and Brazilian partners from industry, academia and government to collaborate on joint research and development projects as well as scientific conferences and workshops. The agreement also provides for the exchange and lending of equipment and materials and for student and researcher mobility. Since the agreement's ratification, the bilateral relationship has taken on a new momentum.

For more information on Canada-Brazil relations, visit the website of the Embassy of Canada to Brazil (www.canadainternational.gc.ca/brazil-bresil/index.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

For more information on the official visit to Brazil, visit the website of the Governor General of Canada (www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14502&lan=eng#April23_Brasilia).