A delegation of Jacksonville business leaders, including Mayor Alvin Brown and JAXUSA Partnership President Jerry Mallot, will join Gov. Rick Scott in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a five-day economic development mission to promote Northeast Florida and help attract new business.

The mission, organized by Enterprise Florida, provides an opportunity to interact and build relationships with international companies and industry leaders who may consider expanding or relocating to the region.

Departing Sunday, the delegation will participate in one-on-one meetings with Brazilian businesses, a Florida trade expo and networking breakfasts. Business leaders are focusing on aviation and transportation during the trip.

The local delegation will also meet with Embraer executives, an aerospace company headquartered in Brazil that established operations in Florida more than 30 years ago. Embraer currently employs 800 people across the United States and named Jacksonville as the location to build a facility to construct its A-29 Super Tucano planes. Construction of the facility will begin upon approval of a government contract.

While in Brazil, Mayor Brown will visit the mayor of Curitiba, Brazil, one of Jacksonville’s Sister Cities, to further strengthen and develop existing ties between the two cities.

With the efforts of the Jacksonville International Business Coalition, JAXUSA Partnership, the City of Jacksonville, the mayor and City Council members, Jacksonville has strong public/private partnerships that play a critical role in the city and region’s ability to attract international business.