SIMBA’s Brazil workshop sets stage for further cooperation

Date: 07 December 2006

30-31 October 2006 event in Sao Paulo identifies areas for EU-Brazil collaboration.

In a bid to increase road safety, improve mobility, and enhance transport efficiency, the SIMBA project brought together European and Brazilian infrastructure operators, vehicle makers, technology providers and ITS stakeholders in São Paulo, Brazil on 30-31 October 2006. Supported by the European Commission and coordinated by ERTICO, SIMBA aims to create an international road transport cooperation network between Europe and China, India, Brazil and South Africa.

A select group of high-level industry, government and academic persons working in the areas of ITS, automotive development and infrastructure participated in the event and identified areas of potential cooperation and joint research.

Exchange of ideas
Brazil’s Ministry of Cities was represented by Mr Alfredo Peres, who heralded the workshop as great opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen ties between Brazil and the EU. Mr Peres pointed out that many European companies are also represented in Brazil and opportunities exist for synergy, as mobility in Brazil faces many difficulties and limitations.

Brazil is the largest country in South America and fifth largest in the world by area and population. Its $800 billion economy has large and well-developed agricultural, mining / manufacturing and services sectors. However, the country’s mobility is hampered by several factors, including mounting traffic congestion in urban centres, high road accident rates, insufficient infrastructure, poor maintenance and low utilisation of ITS technologies.

Through its cooperative efforts, SIMBA aims to address some of these issues to eventually improve Brazilian mobility in general. Its Brazilian activities will continue with further events scheduled in 2007.

For more details on the SIMBA project, please visit the SIMBA website or contact ERTICO Project and Development Manager Mariana Andrade