MIRA concludes deal for Brazilian operation

MIDLAND based advanced engineering body MIRA is expanding its global operations with the opening of a new facility in Brazil.

The announcement was made at the conclusion of a high level trade mission to Brazil headed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The opening of the new facility is part of a package of trade deals worth more than £2.5bn to the UK.

The vehicle testing and engineering excellence organisation has been keen to expand its global presence and the opportunities offered by the emerging markets of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries is one it has been keen to exploit.

The deal will see MIRA, which earlier this year announced plans for a £300m upgrade to its Nuneaton site, open a new facility in Sao Paulo.

The new office will provide offers the body the chance to tap into Brazil’s fast growing automotive sector.

Another of the trade deals will see Derby-based Rolls-Royce develop a new facility in the Santa Cruz industrial area of Rio de Janerio for the assembly and testing of industrial gas turbines for the oil and gas industry.

Others include: a £187.5m UK government-backed credit line to Brazilian steel makers to finance imports of plant equipment from Siemens in Sheffield, a new BT Data Centre in Hortolandia, near Sao Paulo, and a major contract with the Brazilian Post Office to provide data transmission services, the purchase by BP of 10 oil exploration and production blocks, a £2.3m contract for G4S to supply video monitoring equipment to airports in Brazil, engineering agreements in the mining sector, other service agreements and a commitment by BA to double capacity on flights to Brazil to make it easier for business to travel to Latin America.

Mr Clegg said: “Trade equals jobs, and that is what the people of the UK want. That’s why I’m delighted we are signing contracts worth over $4bn (£2.5bn) to the UK economy.“

Trade Minister Lord Green, said: “I am delighted by the success already secured by British business on this visit. It demonstrates that the UK has a lot to offer Brazil across a range of sectors including, security, sports and oil and gas. These new deals mean more UK jobs and a boost to the profits of dynamic and innovative small and medium-sized businesses across the country.”