Pa. Governor Corbett: Joint Declaration Signed with Rio de Janeiro to Create New Opportunities

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced the signing of a joint declaration with Governor Sergio de Oliveira Cabral Santos of the State of Rio de Janeiro to strengthen trade ties and develop new economic opportunities for job creation in both states.  

"I am honored to join Governor Cabral in signing this declaration and believe this agreement will be mutually beneficial and strengthen Pennsylvania's position as a partner of Rio de Janeiro," Corbett said.   

The joint declaration focuses on enhancing cooperation related to energy and mining, particularly oil and natural gas. Collaboration is also encouraged among the states' respective institutions, organizations, universities, research centers, companies and citizens to exchange ideas and information in key engineering and technology-based industries. 

"There are a number of industries that are growing in Brazil that are also very strong in Pennsylvania," Corbett said. "Creating a partnership with the state of Rio de Janeiro will enhance joint trade and promote mutual investment that will lead to new economic growth and job creation in both states."

Corbett signed the declaration during a meeting with Gov. Cabral and high-level executives from the state of Rio de Janeiro. Corbett discussed Pennsylvania's economic climate and the state's background and history in the mining and oil and gas industries.

Corbett's announcement continued the Governor's Jobs 1st Mission to Brazil and Chile. The mission is focused on growing the Pennsylvania economy and creating jobs through export promotion, investment attraction, building relationships to increase port traffic, international student recruitment and promoting Pennsylvania as a world-class destination for tourism.

The three-city, two-country mission, privately funded by Team Pennsylvania Foundation, is scheduled for April 6-16 and will include stops in the Brazilian cities of Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, along with Santiago, Chile.

On Monday, Governor Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett announced that a Brazilian music ensemble led by composer and performer Paulo Padilha will participate in a week-long educational and performance residency in Pennsylvania in the fall of 2014.

On Tuesday, Gov. Corbett announced during a roundtable discussion in Brazil that Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (Wipro), a hydraulic cylinder manufacturer, will establish a new U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Franklin County and create 74 new jobs. 

For more information on the Governor's 2013 Business Trade Mission to Brazil and Chile, visit www.paglobal.org.

Media contacts:
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Steven Kratz, DCED; 717-783-1132

Editor's note: The text of the Joint Declaration is included below:

WHEREAS, there exists an excellent relationship between the State of Rio de Janeiro and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which was clearly expressed during the recent joint meeting held by Governor Sergio Cabral Filho and Governor Tom Corbett in the Guanabara Palace, Rio de Janeiro on April 10^th, 2013; and

WHEREAS, there exists enormous potential for collaboration between public and private institutions, universities, research centers, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and citizens, which will nurture the friendship that exists between the State of Rio de Janeiro and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, enhancing scientific and technological development; and

WHEREAS, there exists a desire to reinforce cooperation between the State of Rio de Janeiro and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the fields of energy, particularly related to oil and natural gas, and to strengthen the economic, scientific, regulatory, and technological advancements in these and other matters.

Both signatories agree that they shall coordinate efforts and promote collaboration through cooperative actions and initiatives focused particularly, but not exclusively, in the fields of energy, particularly related to oil and natural gas and to its scientific and economic-related activities, having its actions in accordance with sustainable development and environmental protection, and any other area agreed upon between them.

The State of Rio de Janeiro and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania decided to open collaboration between their institutions, organizations, universities, research centers, companies and citizens, and to nurture the friendship that exists between them. This initiative seeks to encourage both states to exchange ideas and information with educational and business centers of excellence in the key engineering and technology-based industries in the fields of energy, particularly related to oil and natural gas located in their respective jurisdictions and to enhance bilateral trade and promote mutual investments in this and all other fields.

For this purpose, the signatories will encourage each of their corresponding agencies to participate actively in the above-mentioned areas, as well as encourage the participation of universities, enterprises, and institutions in the private sector and NGOs from the State of Rio de Janeiro and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that might contribute to the successful implementation of this Declaration.

Signed in Rio de Janeiro on April 10^th, 2013, in two equally authentic original copies, one in the Portuguese language and the other in the English language.

State of Rio de Janeiro                  
Sergio Cabral Filho
Governor

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania             
Tom Corbett
Governor  

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor