Brazil and Sweden step up innovation partnership

Finep and Vinnova, the innovation agencies of Brazil and Sweden, have agreed to work together to finance joint innovation initiatives, following a memorandum of understanding signed in 2009.

“With Brazil, we are sure that we can share ideas and learn from one another,” said Annie Lööf, Swedish minister for enterprise and regional affairs. “The agreement now signed is an important step to consolidate partnerships that already exist and need to be expanded.”

“Brazil and Sweden have a long tradition of cooperation in trade,” said Charlotte Brogren, director general of Vinnova. “Many large Swedish companies have been here for decades—Volvo, Ericsson, Electrolux, and others. Now we also need to promote small and medium enterprises, so that they also have access to and participate in the Brazilian market.”