Brazilian Government to launch Embrapa International by the end of April

One goal is to help other countries with experience gained over the 39 years of existence of Embrapa.

Brasília - Embrapa International will be established by the end of April, nearly one year and a half after the publication of the interim measure that gave new wording to Article 1 of the law of creation of Embrapa (to allow Embrapa to exercise its activities outside Brazil). According to Embrapa president Pedro Arraes, the intention is to launch Embrapa International on the 26th anniversary of Embrapa, in the presence of President Rousseff.

The interim measure was approved in the Senate on 1 March 2011 and promulgated on the same day. While the 5851 Act, 1972 which authorized the creation of Embrapa as a public company would not allow their activities abroad, the new wording allows Embrapa to "engage in any activities of its corporate members outside the national territory."

Arraes said that one goal is to help other countries with the experience Embrapa gained over its 39 years of existence, "but these relationships also bring innovation to our country."

The new statute authorizing the international performance of Embrapa, is in its final stage of approval by the ministries of Finance, Planning, Agriculture and the Civil House. "It's the final stage for us to get our status," said Arraes, noting that the Ministries involved are aware of the issue and and there has been agreement for its approval.

The president said that Embrapa International will raise capital from outside sources like the World Bank (IBRD), the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and agencies such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture (FAO) and Bill Gates. "The Bill Gates Foundation recently made a contribution of $ 2.5 billion for Embrapa. This money obviously can not enter Embrapa (national budget)  because I'll have to send it to other countries, "said Arraes.

Arraes said that, currently, Embrapa has to make "a huge gymnastics" to financially execute its projects abroad. "It does not mean that you can not do, but there is a very cumbersome process to transfer resources. It is not easy. Money can not enter Embrapa. Sometimes it enters a foundation. But foundations also have difficulties because they work only in Brazil. "

For ease of operation, Embrapa International will open in the United States."Depending on the size that make business and prospects are of immense dimensions, we may have to have a minimal structure there, but always minimal, because the expertise will always be here, at Embrapa. There is just one way that we have to speed this international fundraising, "said Arraes, adding that individuals can also donate to a specific project, in which they have interest. Information is the Agency Brazil.

My own translation. Original article in portuguese and available at http://www.portugaldigital.com.br/noticia.kmf?cod=13328185&indi...