Global Leaders Dialogue

Technology & Innovation Forum 2009

Global Leaders Dialogue

On March 27 in São Paulo, BSA hosted more than 150 local business leaders and officials for a Global Leaders’ Dialogue on Brazil’s progress as a center for global technology development and innovation, and its future prospects. Following welcoming remarks by BSA President and CEO Robert Holleyman, the keynote speaker was Ozires Silva, President Emeritus of the Brazilian aircraft company Embraer, who emphasized the importance of international dialogue and collaboration in high-tech sectors.

Technology and Innovation Forum 2009 - Global Leaders Panel Video

Click to view the "Technology, Innovation & Progress: A Dialogue with Global Leaders" panel discussion.

The panel moderator was Paulo Sotero, Director of the Brazil Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. Panelists included:

  • Luciana Hashiba, Manager for Partnerships and Technological Innovation at Natura, a Brazil-based global cosmetics company;
  • David Nation, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of Bentley Systems;
  • Gerson Schmitt, Chairman of the Board of Paradigma Business Technology, a Brazilian IT company;
  • Ethevaldo Siqueira, a senior columnist on technology and telecommunications for O Estado de São Paulo, Special Contributor to Epoca, and Commentator on Radio CBN;
  • Brad Smith, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Microsoft Corporation; and
  • Alfred Szwarc, Emissions and Technology Consultant to União da Indústria de Cana-de-açúcar (UNICA, the Brazilian sugar industry association).  

The panelists discussed the key elements of Brazil’s IT successes – as well as areas for improvement – in the realm of technology innovation and business development.  BSA representatives David Nation and Brad Smith highlighted what makes Brazil a critically important market for IT companies and the conditions that high-tech companies look for when deciding whether to expand operations in emerging markets such as Brazil. All of the speakers noted that IT plays a growing role in all sectors, including industries not typically recognized as high-tech leaders such as sugar and cosmetics.


Event Highlights

 

Technology and Innovation Forum