Rio de Janeiro, Brazil UAE: 26 September 2023 – A senior leadership delegation from EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, paid an official visit to the Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro. The meeting took place at the impressive Palácio Guanabara, the official headquarters of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro.

The meeting, which reinforces the strategic importance of the Brazilian market to the Group, was part of an ongoing EDGE leadership visit to key local government offices, defence industry partners, and prospective customers. Governor Castro welcomed His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, EDGE Group Chairman; Mansour AlMulla, EDGE Group Managing Director & CEO, and other senior representatives from EDGE including Hamad Al Marar, President Missiles and Weapons; Rodrigo Torres, President and Group CFO; and Omar Al Zaabi, President Trading and Mission Support. The delegation also met with key personnel from the State Government, and local defence players.

Cláudio Castro, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, said: “We are at a time of full economic recovery and this is a favourable time to invest in the state of Rio de Janeiro. We are responsible for 85% of the country’s oil extraction, we produce 72% of the country’s natural gas, as well as being leaders in clean energy, crude steel and tourism, and we are second in Brazil’s economic ranking. I’m honoured to welcome representatives from the EDGE Group and I stress that Rio de Janeiro’s doors are open to new partnerships.”

Governor Castro pledged to support EDGE in its efforts to expand its footprint in Brazil and to make available the necessary resources needed to help the group establish potential innovation and manufacturing hubs in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Chairman of EDGE Group, said: “EDGE is committed to Brazil in the long-term and we thank Governor Castro for welcoming us warmly to Rio de Janeiro. As we expand our interests in the region, we continue to focus on forging valuable relationships in Brazil for the sharing of knowledge and to showcase EDGE’s advanced capabilities to key defence and technology players here. Together with the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, we will explore ways in which we can plug into the commercial and industrial ecosystems for greater success in the future.”