Twenty government officials, businessmen and investors connected to the private sector from the state of San Paulo, Brazil, toured Fairfax County Wednesday, making stops at the Fairfax Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) in Tysons Corner and the Microsoft Technology Center in Reston.
“This kind of delegation is very important to us. We’re very grateful that you’re here and very anxious to do business,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, who welcomed, among others, Mayor Gustavo Hemic Costa of Guarulhos (population 1.3 million) and Mayor Marcus Melo of Mogi das Cruzes (population 425,000).
“We are here today to understand how important technology and innovation is to the growth of Fairfax County,” said Costa, noting similarities between his city – home to the largest airport in South America – and Fairfax County with its proximity to Dulles International Airport. “To start a relationship with Fairfax County and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority will definitely help us in the future.”
Costa proposed further collaboration between his city and Fairfax County, as well as a similar agreement between the state of Sao Paulo and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
During the session in Tysons Corner, the Brazilian delegation heard from Juhi Naithani, business development manager at the FCEDA, and Curtis Hoffman, director of real estate services for the FCEDA, about benefits of a county business location and site possibilities.
The delegation also heard from Nelson Wang, vice president, head of sales, North America for international tech firm Amdocs, which has global locations in Reston and San Paulo. Wang emphasized the importance of “people, process and technology” in corporate site selection and answered questions in English and Portuguese.
Mat Catagallo, manager of business investment for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, presented an overview of economic assistance programs available to businesses through the state government. “We want you to know that we’re open for business,” Catagallo said. “There’s a home for you here in Virginia.”
Time magazine called Fairfax County “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Fairfax County offers businesses state-of-the-art infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport and a highly skilled, well-educated workforce.
The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA onFacebook, Twitter,LinkedIn.
