£500m on offer

FIVE hundred million pounds worth of business with Brazil is up for grabs and companies in Warrington and the north west can get a slice of the action at a Brazilian Business Connections evening at the International Business Centre tonight.

Already, eight companies are involved in negotiations that look set to bring in £15m worth of business.

Among guests at the Brazilian evening will be Jaoa Paulo, the mayor of Recife, Pernambuco, an area with which Warrington has developed strong business links. The delegation from Recife also includes representatives with interests in nuclear research, medical, commercial, culture, tourism and urban development.

The Mayor's visit to the town is intended to strengthen the partnership between Warrington and Recife on policitcal, commercial and personal levels.

Alan Turley, head of economic development and manager of the International Business Centre said : "The message is that there is still plenty of opportunity for business with Brazil."

Companies in Warrington and the north west can get involved in work on a number of projects which include a rail system, hospital construction, a new port facility and various technology projects.

A rolling programme of events related to business with Brazil is scheduled for Warrington over the coming months, including proposed visits from Brazilian companies which are at advanced stages of negotiations with local companies in recycling and nuclear research.

A delegation from Warrington is going to Brazil in May.

Business Link Cheshire and Warrington has also established business-to-business links with Brazil, in partnership with Warrington 2000 and Trade Partners UK.