Israeli firm to create aerospace research hub in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, May 1 (IANS/EFE) Israeli defence giant Elbit Systems Ltd. plans to create a hub of aerospace research in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, company officials said.

The hub is to be the first of its kind in Latin America "and will permit Brazil to achieve self-sufficiency in the sector", an executive with Elbit Brazilian subsidiary AEL Sistemas told EFE.

The creation of the tech center is part of a memorandum of understanding signed this week in the Israeli city of Haifa by Rio Grande do Sul Gov. Tarso Genro and AEL executives.

The project will involve universities, government research institutes and private companies in the state.

Rio Grande do Sul's government will boost investment in its Ceitec and Cientec institutes to provide skilled workers and infrastructure support for the initiative.

The hub's first major project will be the design and construction of a small satellite, AEL said.

Gov. Genro is leading representatives of business and academia on an economic development mission to Israel and Palestine.

--IANS/EFE

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