RST – Brasil

The RTD International Cooperation Project – “Technology Services Network for the Development of the Wood and Furniture Industry” started in 2008 in collaboration with SEBRAE (Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Business) and BID (Inter-American Development Bank) to diagnose technological needs and to provide innovative solutions to increase the competitiveness of small wood-based businesses.

The approach to identifying and disseminating more value-added technological solutions has been achieved through the construction of a network of technology services, which boasts 23 international partners who cooperate in the realization of a sustainable and competitive development project.

Partners include technology centers, industry representatives, as well as institutions dedicated to innovation, education and the promotion of applied research.

The partnership has created favorable conditions for the competitiveness and development of the sustainable business of the Amazonian Amazon’s and Pará’s wood and furniture manufacturing chain.

At present, the success in the northern region of the country has made the RST approach replicated in five other states in Brazil:

MG – Belo Horizonte: Wood and furniture;
PB – Campina Grande: Leather and Footwear;
PR – Arapongas: Wood and furniture;
RS – Vale do Rio dos Sinos and Paranhana: skins and footwear;
SC – Vale do Rio Tijucas: skins and footwear.

Following the results achieved through the RTD project found until January 2015:

Application Mapping within 803 Small Businesses through Agents (ALI);
Individual devolution from international consultants (COSMOB, University of Camerino) to 403 entrepreneurs, recording a 99% satisfaction level;
Mapping of service offerings in 32 technological subjects;
Organization of technology services based on new demand driven by companies;
Development of Strategic Planning for the Technology Network for the Retail Industry with the participation of representatives of micro and small enterprises and scientific and technological institutes (ICTs);
International technical mission for ICT training in the methodological approach of the network and the provision of qualified services;
About 430 companies received assistance via Sebraetec.