RSC and Sociedade Brasileira de Química (SBQ)

The RSC signed the International Cooperation Agreement with the Sociedade Brasileira de Química (SBQ) on the 31 May 2007.

The signing formed part of celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the SBQ, and the first joint workshop organised by the SBQ and the UK.

2007 is also the UK-Brazil year of science and innovation, initiated by the joint governments of Brazil and the UK, highlighting the potential of such a joint agreement.

Antonio Mangrich, President of the SBQ, welcomes the new collaboration:

"The promotion of collaboration agreements, such as that to be signed with the RSC, is fundamental to strengthening the international image of the SBQ. We are confident that the exchange of knowledge and experience between the two societies will be fruitful and exemplary".

UK-Brazil year of Science and Innovation

This event was planned during an official visit by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2006 to the UK, and aims to develop links between the British and Brazilian scientific and R&D communities.

This forward thinking scheme highlights the current positive state of chemistry and the chemical sciences in Brazil.

Innovation, technology transfer and science research and industry all play a critical role in current government thinking and action.

In 2004, they announced their law of innovation, focusing on providing incentives to promote innovation and encourage joint activity between private companies, research institutes and universities.

In addition, it aimed to remove some of the legislative barriers that made collaboration between public sector researchers and private companies difficult.

New policy was launched in February 2007 designed to encourage the growth of Brazil’s biotechnology industry, with private and public investment reaching up to US$4.8 billion over the next ten years.

Scientists in Brazil have picked up the innovation bug with the first public tender from Brazil’s Science and Technology Ministry held late in 2006.