Quinn leads delegation to Brazil to boost Irish exports and business

21 Oct 2013

Thirty companies and educational institutions are joining Ireland’s Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn, TD, in travelling to Brazil today for an Enterprise Ireland education and technology mission that aims to increase Irish exports and deepen business and education links between Ireland and Brazil.

This mission, which will take place 19-25 October, coincides with a higher education fair in Sao Paulo and Futurecom, an IT, internet and telecommunications event.

“Jobs are an absolute top priority for this Government, and increasing our export activity with the countries that will dominate the global economy in the 21st century, Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC economies) is a fundamental part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs,” Quinn said.

“This market offers tremendous potential for Irish businesses. On the education front, Ireland has the opportunity to develop an unprecedented relationship with one of the world’s leading economies through the Science without Borders programme.”

Quinn added that this year, more than 1,200 Brazilian students have gone to study at Irish higher-education institutes as part of this scholarship scheme funded by the Brazilian government, which could be worth up to €100m over the coming five years.

In Brazil, Quinn will meet with the Brazilian Minister for Education Aloízio Mercadante, the Science Without Borders funding agencies, and Irish companies and their Brazilian partners and customers. He will also attend events to promote Irish education and business.

Sao Paulo, Brazil, image via Shutterstock

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com