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Technology
Santa Catarina is prominent in the software development industry in business management and telecommunication solutions.
Driven by increased demand from local companies for innovation and competitiveness, the industry is prominent in the State’s economy and its brands are players in international Information Technology (IT) markets. Joinville, Florianópolis, Blumenau, Chapecó and Criciúma are the main regional development poles in this sector. They are completely integrated to the industrial activities undertaken in the regions of influence of these pole-cities.
The production of hardware and components is more concentrated in the capital, while the software companies are distributed throughout the State. Santa Catarina has some of the largest systems developing companies in Brazil, as well Industry as other local companies that participate in offshore projects with large companies in the sector, such as IBM, HP and Microsoft. The State also has several small and medium size companies with potential for development and innovation. Most of them were created from a network of business incubators that host entrepreneurs from universities and the private sector, providing physical infrastructure and shared services for the development of innovative IT projects.
The main products exported by Santa Catarina’s IT industry include management software for industrial applications and technology solutions for the textile sector. The main clients are in Latin American countries such as Argentina, Chile and Mexico. The United States and the European Union also have important buyers, who invest in local partnerships involving know-how and technology transfer, as well as direct investments. Some of the largest companies in the sector, including HP, Siemens, IBM and Microsoft have well-structured local partners. New markets are rising in Peru, Colombia and sub-Saharan African countries. The Santa Catarina technology sector stands out in the country, registering average growth rates above 20% per year.
Telecommunication pole:
Santa Catarina is a technology development pole for telecommunications and is home to some of the most important companies in Brazil. The Greater Florianópolis region produces 60% of the telephone exchanges sold in the country, as well as telephones, mobile phones, routers, notebooks and network solutions, call centers and IP telephone equipment. Convergence of the telephony, security and computer fields attracts foreign partnerships. Several companies operate internationally in the telecommunications market by means of strategic alliances with large global brands.
Opportunity:
The increased purchasing power of Brazil’s lower and middle classes in recent years and the consequent expansion of the communications and entertainment markets are creating strong opportunities for expansion of companies in this field. In Santa Catarina, they are mostly micro and small companies that require investments in new research and development of innovation in electronic commerce, mobile telephony and games, among other segments. For this reason, the companies are seeking partners by means of joint- ventures and capital from private equity operations.
Contacts:
• Sindicato das Indústrias de Informática do Estado de Santa Catarina - Siesc
Rua Lauro Linhares, 589, Trindade, 88036-001. Florianópolis/SC - Brasil
Phone: + 55 (48) 3333-0585 Fax: + 55 (48) 3333-3745
Email: siesc@siesc.org.br Website: www.siesc.org.br