According to Sebrae’s Technical Director Carlos Alberto dos Santos, promoting small businesses means promoting a large amount of companies. And for Brazil the numbers are bigger than big.
Brazil is home to some 8 million micro and small enterprises representing 99% of all business in the country. Sebrae supports the development of these enterprises, and works closely with ABNT, ISO’s Brazilian member, to help them get the most out of standards.
“We leverage and promote the competitiveness of small businesses, and create opportunities for them to participate in standards activities that promote global market access,” says Carlos Alberto dos Santos.
The ISO week in Brazil is being held from 8 to 12 September 2014 in Rio de Janeiro and includes more than 500 delegates and accompanying persons from 120 countries. Together, these individuals will participate in interactive discussions that will shape the direction of ISO's future products, services, and systems.
The week will be an exciting and dynamic gathering for everyone in the international standardization community. Events to be held during the week-long gathering include:
- On 9 September, Haroldo Mattos de Lemos, President of ABNT Technical Council and President of Instituto Brasil PNUMA (UNEP), will open the meeting focusing on developing countries (DEVCO)
- During the ISO General Assembly on 10-11 September, attendees will hear from key speakers including Ricardo Schaffer, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade in Brazil; Terry Hill, ISO President; Pedro Buzatto Costa, ABNT President; and keynote speaker on future challenges, Mauro Kern, Executive Vice President of Embraer
- And on 12 September, n Open Session will be held in the Maracena Stadium featuring a keynote speaker from the Brazilian Ministry of Environment. The Open Session is an opportunity for stakeholders from around the world – including business leaders and members of the media – to discuss the current issues around environment and sustainable development, what is being done and what needs to be done better, and how standards could assist.
The ISO week in Brazil is being hosted by ABNT, ISO member for the country, and a founding member of ISO.
“The ISO week in Brazil is an opportunity to develop standardization work and involve more Brazilian organizations and industry,” said ABNT President Pedro Buzatto Costa. “It is also an opportunity to improve the relationship between ABNT and the other international or national organizations present.”
Watch the video of ABNT President and discover how Brazil will benefit.
Also, follow the week-long event on Storify.
