Brazil's Technology Sector

This study provides a general assessment of major science and technology ST developments in Brazil. The report is organized into eight sections key findings, an introduction to the topic of ST activities in Brazil, an overview of the Brazilian government, government ST policy, funding for research and development RD, ST priorities and the domestic and foreign participants in RD, threats to and opportunities for pursuing ST development, and a conclusion. Prominent Brazilian research facilities and their respective specialties are listed in an Appendix. Since 2003, the government of Brazil has provided unprecedented levels of funding for domestic RD and established incentives to increase private-sector involvement in RD, such as strengthening intellectual property laws and tax incentives for RD. The government has also prioritized support and development of certain sectors, specifically nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and software. Other fields that have received significant government support are agriculture, alternative energies, and space research. Military ST has suffered from nearly two decades of funding neglect, but Brazilian entities have produced impressive armored vehicles, aircraft, artillery, and missiles. In all of these fields, private-sector and foreign participation are low relative to that of public research entities, particularly universities, but various signs suggest this is changing. Brazil RD appears to have substantial potential to significantly improve the countrys domestic economic and social development and to increase Brazils international economic influence, However, the pervasive lack of innovation by private entities, isolation from international markets, and other indicators suggest Brazils increased RD efforts may not have any significant economic or political effects outside the countrys borders in the foreseeable future.