The trajectory of infrastructure across the world and energy transition phases in Brazil and the UK were among the topics discussed by Siemens Brasil CEO Andre Clark at an AMBS guest lecture last week.
The CEO addressed academics and students in the Executive Education Centre with an introduction by Nuno Gil, Professor of New Infrastructure Development.
Mr Clark is a member of the UK-Brazil Infrastructure and Capital Markets Task Force which looks at improving both countries’ economies through financial services, green finance and tax as well as trade opportunities.
The CEO explained how Brazil will become the world’s fifth largest oil distributor by 2025 as well as discussing energy consumption; “Brazil is going through an energy transition phase at present and the way consumers use energy across the globe is ever-changing, however the opportunities for infrastructure development are exciting, especially in urban areas.”
Mr Clark also offered an insight into how Siemens, the world’s second biggest spender in research and development, is contributing to Brazil’s infrastructure opportunities, saying “the world is becoming digitalised and infra 4.0 is creating a revolution for us all. Siemens is working with Brazil on how it stores its energy both on-shore and off-shore. Ultimately our focus is to make a difference for society.”
Professor Gil commented on the importance of infrastructure in business education: “As the backbone of modern society, infrastructure holds vast opportunities for businesses to work together with governments to jointly create broad value for society, whilst maximizing value for shareholders. But inefficient markets, politics, and ill-defined property rights can make it hard to realize these opportunities. Still, Siemens, the only foreign company to have a seat on the advisory board of China´s Belt and Road Initiative, has succeeded. For sure, exciting opportunities lay ahead of business students who learn the ropes of operating in the infrastructure sector.”
