Number of Brazilian companies investing in London triples

The latest company to be attracted by the UK capital's opportunities for business growth is development bank BNDES, which joins a wide range of other Brazilian businesses in the city.

Think London, the foreign direct investment agency, has helped notable firms such as Arpargatas (Havaianas), Banco Bradesco, BWI Development and Dabi Alante expand their presence, or set up for the first time in the UK during the past few years.

Michael Charlton, Think London's chief executive, said there are now three times more Brazilian companies investing in the city than two years ago.

The enormous momentum of Brazilian companies going global is a great chance for Think London to tap into this growing economy which has all the potential of China and India.

Michael Charlton

Chief Executive, Think London

He said: “An increasing number of Brazilian companies from a wide variety of sectors use the buoyant economy of their domestic market to globalise and to take full advantage of the window of investment opportunity that the current downturn has created in London.

“The enormous momentum of Brazilian companies going global is a great chance for Think London to tap into this growing economy which has all the potential of China and India.”

Another indicator of business ties between the two countries is the President of Brazil's visit to London, as well as the fact the UK capital was named top European destination for overseas investors by Cushman & Wakefield's European Cities Monitor for the 19th consecutive year.

Mr Charlton said Rio's successful bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games could “lead to a new era of partnership between Brazil and London”.

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