Brazil and the United Kingdom this week signed a cooperation agreement with regard to the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.

The agreement, which is the first step in a commitment undertaken in November last year by President Lula and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was signed in Rio on 25 March by Brazilian sports minister Orlando Silva and UK Olympics minister Tessa Jowell.

Silva said the aim is to 'stimulate commercial partnerships between Brazilian and British companies' with a view to ensuring that the Rio Olympics are as successful as possible, and that Rio would learn from the good practices, positive experiences and innovations arising from London 2012.

Silva predicted that the agreement will provide a basis on which the Brazil-UK commercial relationship – particularly that between Rio and London – will intensify, resulting in business partnerships, investment, and significant job creation.

Source: Agência Brasil and Embassy of Brazil in London