Breakout Sessions

The Breakout Sessions enable in-depth discussions of priority issues on the bilateral agenda. During these sessions, participants will debate specific policy issues, share best practices, and offer recommendations on how to address challenges identified by the group.
 
Representatives and government officials from the private sectors of both countries will take part in the Sessions.

    Biotechnology, Health and Innovation
   
The goal of this panel is to determine the main obstacles to and the necessary measures for furthering public-private sector cooperation in the areas of R&D and innovation.  The panel will also identify ways to increase investment in and trade of high value added products between the United States and Brazil. The group will also discuss which actions by the public and private sectors are necessary to promote the flow of goods, services, people and investments in the health and biotechnology industries, and to promote innovation between the two countries.
   
     
    Energy Security

One of the main challenges global economies face today is finding ways to diversify energy sources to ensure that supply shortages do not impact economic growth. In order to meet this challenge, it is paramount to increase investment in new and more reliable energy sources.  This panel will identify the necessary steps for increasing energy security in both countries, as well as areas where bilateral cooperation can play an important role.

   
    Supply Chain Security and Competitiveness

A company’s ability to compete globally is closely connected to the existence of efficient supply chain logistics. Security issues have led governments to intensify measures to protect the movement of goods. It is important to keep in mind that the efficient flow of legitimate cargo contributes to supply chain security.  This panel will evaluate the impacts of security measures on the transport of goods and identify ways to balance security concerns and the efficient flow of goods. 
   
    Bilateral Tax Treaty

For a long time, the private sector has been defending the signing of an Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation (BTT) between Brazil and the United States. Both governments are aware of the importance of this agreement. It is now paramount that the private sector elaborates concrete and specific recommendations in order to actively contribute to governmental negotiations. The goal of this panel is to discuss the potential benefits of a BTT agreement between Brazil and the United States, the issues that the private sectors of both countries have been facing due to the lack of such an agreement, and how a BTT agreement could address these issues.
   

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About the Brazil-U.S. Business Council

Established in 1976, the Brazil-U.S. Business Council is the most influential U.S.-based business organization focused on strengthening trade and investment between Brazil and the United States. The U.S. Section of the Council represents the majority of the largest U.S. corporations invested in Brazil and operates under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Brazil Section of the Council is managed by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry, based in Brasília.

The Council is uniquely positioned to develop bilateral support for policy priorities and ensure that they are addressed at the highest levels of both governments. Every year, the Council organizes different activities including lobbying missions and plenary meetings. The lobbying missions are policy advocacy trips to Brasília and to Washington, DC, and constitute a very important opportunity for members to discuss their policy priorities with high level government officials. The plenary meeting, held in alternating years in Brazil and the U.S., is the annual gathering of both sections of the Council to discuss private sector bilateral policy issues. Plenary meeting discussions help establish the Council’s priorities, which are then communicated to the governments of both countries.

Brazil-U.S. Business Council Co-Chairs

Tom Catania
Chairman, U.S. Section
Vice President, Government Relations
Whirlpool Corporation

Henrique Rzezinski 
Chairman, Brazil Section
Vice President, External Relations (Retired)
Embraer

Brazil Section Executive Committee – ABIEC; ABIQUIM; AEB; CACB; BRACELPA; CNI; FIESP; FIRJAN; IBS - Instituto Brasileiro de Siderurgia; PROCOMEX; Veirano e Advogados Associados; AMCHAM - Rio de Janeiro; AMCHAM - São Paulo; CEBRI - Centro Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais; ÍCONE; FAAP; MBC; UNICA; CNC; FIEMG; FIERGS.

Brazil Section Executive Secretariat – National Confederation of Industry - Brazil