Marco Longi, Ambassador of the British Prime Minister to Brazil Marco Longi, was received by Governor Romeo Gema on Tuesday (7/12) in the administrative city of Belo Horizonte. The meeting is part of the official mission of the Minas Gerais government to London in November. In the three-day schedule, this is the embassy’s first business responsibility in the country, one of which is dedicated solely to pledges in the capital.
The main focus is on the continuation of negotiations between Minas Gerries and the English government on improving partnerships and investments, especially sustainable processes and decarbonization. Minas became the first state in Latin America and the Caribbean to join Race to Zero, a global campaign to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which has further aroused European interest.
“We are fully open. There is a great opportunity for this exchange between Minas and the United Kingdom, no doubt.
After a meeting last month, Marco Longhi assured that the British business community was interested in investing in Brazil, and especially in Minas Gerais.
“I want us to be one of the key business partners, Minas will be strategic. The leadership of the GEMA government for renewable energy is very important and attractive,” he said.
Measurements and numbers
In November, following the COP-26 (United Nations Conference on Climate Change in 2021), the government issued an order exempting ICMS from importing equipment and materials for solar and wind power generation. The move guarantees access to component suppliers worldwide and enhanced competitiveness for projects established at Minas Gerais.
This year, Minas reached the historic mark of 2 gigawatts (GW) in solar source motion. The sum of the values for centralized (631.16 MW) and distributed (1,384.21 MW) output corresponds to the photovoltaic solar energy generated by solar panels in large plants, solar parks and homes and apartments, respectively.
Business relationships
Minas Gerais and the United Kingdom are important trading partners. The state was the main exporter, concentrating 30.8% of total exports to British countries throughout Brazil. In 2020 alone the values exceeded US $ 781.5 million. Gold, coffee, iron ore and its concentrations are the most important products. In addition, there are already associated British investors in Minas such as Unilever, Diageo, Sigma Lithium, Gemacom Tech, Dallas Aeromotive and Anglo American.
