Jobs boosts from Brazil trade deals - graduate jobs

Graduates may experience a boost in job prospects following an announcement from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg that business deals with Brazil totalling £2.5 billion have been made.

Mr Clegg, who is on a visit to Brazil, said UK jobs and growth would benefit from trade-links with the Latin American country, which is experiencing a fast-growing economy.

One of the deals that has been announced is a £130 million contract with BT, which will provide data transmission services to the Brazilian post office.

The UK Government is also underwriting a £185 million credit line to steel company Gerdau, resulting in Brazil receiving more than £270 million in exports from 79 companies in the UK.

The trade delegation of ministers and business leaders is being headed by the Liberal Democrat leader, who also announced enhanced co-operation on science and higher education, including a contract signed by Trimega Labs to test hair samples for the Brazilian police in Manchester.

Speaking in Brasilia, Mr Clegg said: "Trade equals jobs, and that is what the people of the UK want, and the people of Brazil too.

"I'm delighted that, over these two days, we are sealing business links worth over £2.5 billion that will be a significant boost to the UK economy."

He opened an Olympic conference to help Brazil learn from London's experience of preparing for the 2012 Games.

He also announced schemes by UK Research Councils to boost joint research in the areas of food security, bioenergy and industrial biotechnology.

Copyright Press Association 2011