Update:April 18, 2015

Survey Program for Environmental Technology Promotion in São Paulo, Brazil

ICETT held a survey program for environmental technology promotion in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

The year of 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of immigration into Brazil by people from Mie Prefecture, Japan. In August 2013, a Mie Governor-headed group visited the State of São Paulo, Brazil, which is a sister state of Mie Prefecture. The Japanese governor and his Brazilian counterpart signed a joint declaration to commemorate the 40th anniversary of friendship between Mie and São Paulo. In the document, the two regions declare their intention to cooperate with each other and promote development in the fields of education, the environment, industries and commerce, and tourism.

Commissioned by the Mie Prefectural government, ICETT first conducted a questionnaire survey with nearly 50 environment-related companies in Mie on promoting their environmental business outside Japan to examine the possibility of overseas promotion of relevant companies. From January 31 (Sat.) to February 8 (Sun.), 2015, ICETT staff members visited the State of São Paulo and, in the light of the results of the survey, examined local needs in the environmental field while exploring the possibility of promoting business by environment-related companies from central Japan, especially Mie.

During their stay, these members visited many places, such as the Consulate-General of Japan in São Paulo, the Federation of the Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), the São Paulo State Environmental Agency (CETESB), and the São Paulo State water management agency (SABESP). They interviewed staff at these organizations to learn about environmental issues in São Paulo, the legal system regarding the environment, and the current situation of environmental industries and technology.

 
At São Paulo State Secretariat for the Environment (SMA)
Secretary of the Secretariat (2ndfrom right) and President of

  the Environmental Agency (far right)

 
 

At the Federation of the Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP)

 

 

 

 .

ECOURBIS
(Automatic waste sorting and scrapping center)
The center with a capacity to treat 250 tons of household waste in southern São Paulo disposes of an average of 80 tons per day.

The field survey revealed that there are needs for environmental improvement in a variety of fields: waste recycling, water supply stability to avoid water shortage, domestic and industrial wastewater treatment and measures against soil pollution at old factory sites. However, it turned out that a number of important points should be kept in mind to start business in Brazil, such as product development, technological and marketing capabilities, strong beliefs in expanding business into Brazil, securing of financing, and human resources development and management. It appears to be rather important to first proceed with business promotion step by step as part of technology licensing or a support program than sticking to the idea to launch business operations there. The survey program is highly expected to contribute to connecting environment-related companies in São Paulo and those in the central part of Japan, especially Mie Prefecture.

 ICETT would like to express its gratitude to all the parties involved who cooperated in this program.