23-05-2008 The Governor of the State Espírito Santo, Paulo Hartung, visited Singapore, accompanied by the Secretary for Development of the state, Guilherme Dias. He was hosted by Prosafe (a Singapore-based Norwegian company), which is a partner of Petrobras in FPSO Cidade de São Mateus, a gas rig in construction by Keppel Shipyard Tuas that is be concluded in the second semester of 2008. Espírito Santo, located in the Southeastern region of Brazil, is already the country’s second largest producer of gas and will receive an important boost with the new rig, which will be operated by Prosafe. Another rig is also in construction at Keppel Shipyard by Shell. Espírito Santo is also a major producer and exporter of iron, stell, iron ore, granite, coffee and pulp, besides having some of the most important ports in Brazil. Mr. Roger Agnelli, the Chairman of Vale, which carries a large part of its operations and logistics in Espírito Santo, also visited Singapore, where the company opened a representative office in 2007. Vale is the world’s second largest mining company and has been expanding its presence in East and Southeast Asia. Mr. Agnelli and his team met with Minister of Trade and Industry, Lim Hang Kiang, and local investors. (Picture: Guilherme Dias, Roy Hallas (Prosafe), Márcio F. C. Bezerra (Petrobras), Governor Paulo Hartung, Roger Agnelli (Vale) and Ambassador Paulo Alberto Soares).

22-04-2008 Brazil is among the largest world producers and exporters of agricultural produce. The country is ranked first in exports of chicken, beef, sugar, ethanol, orange juice and coffee. The marked increase in production and exports in the last decade has been based on productivity gains and the assurance of high quality standards in the food industry chain. In Singapore, chances are as high as 90% that you will be eating a product from Brazil if you are a chicken consumer. But Brazil is also among the largest suppliers of beef and pork to the island. Now Brazilians are aiming at the growing market for wine in Singapore and the region, as well as at gaining a larger share of the market for fruits and juices. From 22 to 25 April, Brazilian companies will be showcasing their products at Food and Hotel Asia 2008, at the Singapore Expo, with the support of the Brazilian Agency for Export and Investment Promotion (APEX) and the Embassy of Brazil in Singapore. The Brazilian Association of Chicken Producers and Exporters (ABEF), which represents 24 companies, will be at booth 34-K01. The Brazilian Fruit Institute (IBRAF) is leading a team of four companies (Atlântica, RBR Trading, Ruette and Predilecta) at booth 2K4-1. The consortium Wines from Brazil, which represents 31 wineries, takes part in FHA for the first time, after its debut at Wine for Asia last October. Miolo, Mena Kaho and Lovara are some of the wineries represented at 3AA3-20. Sadia, Perdigão, giants of the food industry in Brazil, are also among the exhibitors. Last but not least, the Brazilian cachaça Sagatiba will feature at Prestige's booth.