As part of its participation at the ITxpo, Brazil IT is hosting a success case presentation on innovation in the IT industry, focused on flex-fuel technology developed in Brazil. Three out of four cars sold in Brazil are flex-fuel, running on gasoline, ethanol or any mixture of both. This case study showcases Brazil's capacity in the IT sector, and the reason why the country is emerging as a key location for IT outsourcing.

The participation of Brazil IT in Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2006 is part of a combined effort by government and the private sector to promote the country as the next destination for companies interested in outsourcing their IT operations. Today, it is estimated that Brazil exports less than 5% of its IT industry's production, or $ 400 million. Brazil IT is working with the goal of reaching at least $ 2 billion in IT products and services exports by the end of 2007.

To support this goal, the Brazilian government recently passed a law granting close to US$ 460 million in tax benefits and exemptions for IT companies all the way to 2014. The incentive should boost investment and lower operating costs. On the companies' side, the efforts include investment in R&D (expected to reach US$1 billion in 2006), the continuous pursuit of internationally recognized certifications and quality standards, participation in international trade shows and the opening of offices outside Brazil, mainly in the United States, to better serve their growing clientele.

"Brazil is widely known abroad for its music, its coffee and fashion, but we are determined to add to that," said Renata Sanchez, project manager for Apex-Brazil (the government's Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).. "The Brazilian domestic IT market is mature and exports are growing steadily. We are a highly technological country, with more than 20 IT clusters developing cutting-edge innovations in a wide range of sectors, notably healthcare, banking and e-gov."

Among the many reasons to believe Brazil is well placed to be a major player in the global IT industry she cited the growing number of qualified graduates entering the labor force, Brazil's proximity to the United States, business and cultural compatibility, a modern telecommunications infrastructure and cost advantages.

Brazil IT - Booths 101 and 104
Flex-fuel Technology: A Brazilian Innovation
October 10, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Location: Dolphin / Oceanic 5

For more information, visit www.brazil-it.com. To schedule interviews with Brazilian IT executives participating in the Gartner Symposium/ITXpo 2006, contact Christine Studart at Brazil Information Center (202) 471-4020 or (240) 498-4250.