Aberdeen is currently playing host to what is said to be the largest business delegation from Brazil the city has ever seen.
The 70-strong group’s visit has been organised jointly by Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Development International.
It comes after Gordon McIntosh, the council’s enterprise, planning and infrastructure director, led a trade mission to Brazil in March.
That trip included a visit to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, and gave north-east firms exposure to a broad range of opportunities in South America’s biggest country.
It also triggered this week’s reciprocal visit by a delegation from Rio Grande do Sul to Aberdeen.
Mr McIntosh said: “We are delighted to welcome such a large delegation from Brazil, which was identified by our local companies as the number one target market in the recent Aberdeen City and Shire energy export survey.
“Aberdeen City Council’s relationship with Brazil has gone from strength to strength over the years, stretching back to the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2000 with the state of Rio de Janeiro.”
Aberdeen energy-service firm Hydro Group, which designs and manufactures underwater cables and connectors for subsea, underwater, topside and onshore applications, welcomed about 30 of the Brazilians to its offices at Bridge of Don.
Dough Whyte, the company’s managing director, said: “Brazil is a high-growth and emerging market, but also one that can be challenging to penetrate for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) such as ourselves.
“An event like this gives us an invaluable opportunity to meet representatives from companies in Brazil and convey directly to them what it is we do and what our plans are for the continued growth of the business.
“It also helps them form a clearer picture about what it is Hydro Group has to offer the Brazilian market.”
Mr Whyte added: “We have been actively looking for potential firms in Brazil to form a joint-venture agreement with and we are hoping to move forward with our plans to expand in to Brazil over the next 12 months.”
The city council has been invited to participate in an oil and gas exhibition in Rio Grande do Sul in October.