Brazil expands functions of the Amazon Biobusiness Center to boost the region’s economy

Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva signed a decree yesterday, Wednesday, to provide more resources and expand the Amazon Bio-Business Center (CBA) activities to add value and boost new businesses based on the region’s natural resources.

At the signing, Lula was accompanied by the Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, who highlighted the potential of Amazonian biodiversity in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, and food.

“We are going to work together with the ministries of Science and Technology, Environment, regional governments, municipalities, universities, and especially the private sector to create jobs, create companies, and add value,” said Alckmin.

With its legal personality, the center will have more autonomy to raise public and private funds and expand its activities.

“The CBA will have an intelligence center for new businesses that will prospect new investments, attract the private sector and transform research into patents and businesses for the region’s development,” Alckmin added.

The first front of the center’s operations will be based on seeking research outside its own laboratories, resulting in “off-the-shelf” products that will integrate the center’s portfolio and be offered to potential investors.

On the second front, in partnership with the private sector, the center will guarantee the supply of raw materials regularly and at competitive prices, providing the minimum conditions for the industry to establish itself and for sustainability in the work of the communities involved.