Regional office opened in february and collaboration between entities expected to boost synergy between agribusiness hub and North American country
By Marcelo Picolo
The promotion of new business between Brazilian entrepreneurs from Ribeirão Preto and Canadian companies is set to gain momentum. The local government and industry organizations, such as the Center of Industries of the State of São Paulo (CIESP) in the city and the Supera Innovation and Technology Park, have joined forces with the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC) to foster trade agreements and identify business opportunities. In February, CCBC inaugurated its regional office in Ribeirão Preto—the only one outside a state capital—specifically to remain close to those seeking international business relations.
The Chapter Ribeirão Preto, as it is called, is coordinated by attorney Rodrigo Forcenette, partner and executive director at Brasil Salomão e Matthes Advocacia. In addition to directly connecting businesspeople interested in commercial relations between the two countries, the initiative will also promote networking events.
A significant step towards strengthening synergy between businesses will come from the public sector. “We will simplify processes with more flexible laws through our administrative reform so we can encourage commercial relations,” said Mayor Ricardo Silva. “The Ribeirão Preto City Council is expected to approve legislative adjustments within 60 days,” he added.
CIESP Ribeirão Preto will also partner with CCBC to monitor promising business opportunities. “The food and pharmaceutical sectors also deserve our attention,” said André Ignacio, the organization’s director in the city.
Saulo de Souza Rodrigues, manager of the Incubator at the Supera Innovation and Technology Park, intends to engage local entrepreneurs on the importance of expanding internationally. “We understand how crucial and challenging this is at the same time. But doors open when there is a willingness to conduct international business, and there are partners who help make this leap,” he said.
Agribusiness and other sectors
Ribeirão Preto is known as Brazil’s agribusiness capital due to its vast agricultural production and for hosting Agrishow, the largest agricultural fair in Latin America. However, Brazil-Canada trade relations are expected to extend far beyond this sector.
“Agribusiness in the Ribeirão Preto region generates a lot of commercial interest, but we will also work to foster business in other key sectors such as services, healthcare, technology, and education,” said Rodrigo Forcenette, coordinator of the local CCBC Chapter. “There is an entire economic chain here that can be well explored,” he added.
In 2024, Brazil-Canada trade generated over R$ 1.1 billion in exports and R$ 70.8 million in imports within the agribusiness sector alone. Ribeirão Preto itself boasts impressive figures: in both domestic and international markets, the region’s sugar-energy sector alone moves R$ 4.9 billion. Additionally, the number of agritechs (startups focused on agriculture) has grown by 34% in recent years.
“We are eager to encourage the Canadian government to explore more opportunities in this region,” emphasized Anouk Bergeron-Laliberte, Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo, who attended the inauguration ceremony of Chapter Ribeirão Preto..
