For immediate release:  Monday, July 16, 2012
Contact:  Meghan Fletcher, mfletcher@itic.org, (202) 524-4389
 
ITI, Tech Companies to Host Brazilian Officials in Silicon Valley
 
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- This week, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and many of its member companies will host a high-level delegation of Brazilian government officials in Silicon Valley to explore ways to expand the commercial ties between that country and the tech sector.
 
The three-day forum entitled, “Creating an Innovation Ecosystem:  The Silicon Valley Experience,” aims at reinforcing the important relationship between the Brazilian government andU.S. high technology sector by showcasing global innovation at work.
 
“Brazil is a critical market for the tech sector.  We hope this visit to Silicon Valley will strengthen the ties between this nation and our companies, and help to develop new approaches to some of the challenges facing both sides in terms of market access and product development.  It’s a chance to sit together, discuss the issues, and work in partnership on solutions,” said Dean Garfield, president and CEO of ITI.
 
ITI member companies have a strong presence in Brazil and are committed to ensuring the continued success of the bilateral commercial relationship.  The Silicon Valley sessions will showcase America’s center of innovation and technological development.  Officials will visit a number of companies, including Cisco, HP, Intel, and Apple.
 
“With this forum, both parties have a unique opportunity to share ideas about the future of innovation and discuss groundbreaking technologies thatwill lend themselves to the tools of tomorrow,” Garfield said.  “We hope that, at the end of the week, we will have stronger ties with Brazil that will benefit both their country and our own.”
 
Discussions will highlight the conditions that allow innovation to flourish and thrive, including competitiveness, market access, tax policy, education, standards, protection of intellectual property, due process, and regulatorytransparency.   The forum will aim at finding a balance between Brazil’s interests to develop a domestic information and communications technology (ICT) industry while allowing multinationals to compete equally in the Brazilian market.
 
During the first two days, members of the Brazilian government will tour various R&D facilities of ITI-member companies, gaining a first-hand perspective on the research approaches and the innovation processes that today’s technologies have gone through on their way to market.  The third day will center on innovation and trade policy, as well as cloud computing.  The Brazilian government is developing a cloud computing strategy with the goal of positioning the country as an ICT services exporter.  
 
About ITI
 
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the premier advocacy and policy organization for the world’s leading innovation companies.  ITI navigates the constantly changing relationships between policymakers, companies, and non-governmental organizations, providing creative solutions that advance the development and use of technology around the world.  We develop first-rate advocacy strategies and market-specific approaches.  And we deliver results.  Visit itic.org to learn more.