Guamá Science and Technology Park hosts panel of the 'Americas Competitiveness Exchange'
An initiative of the Government of Pará, in partnership with UFPA and Ufra, the Guamá PCT received leaders from the Americas to discuss the development of technology parks
The Guamá Science and Technology Park (PCT), in Belém, received on Thursday (28) the delegation of the 21st edition of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), an event held in the capital of Pará from August 25 to 29. Promoted by the Organization of American States (OAS), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), the ACE brings together leaders from the Americas to strengthen international cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and economic development.
During the event, the PCT Guamá received a certificate of recognition granted by the organizing committee. The honor recognizes the leadership of PCT Guamá in promoting strategic partnerships aimed at economic growth, job creation, innovation, and sustainable development.
During the program, a panel on the development of technology parks was held, moderated by Adriana Faria, president of the National Association of Promoting Entities of Innovative Enterprises (Anprotec). Participants included Eduardo Vieira, CEO of Sapiens Park (SC); Jorge Audy, Superintendent of Innovation and Development at the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC-RS), and Sheila Pires, Director of the Department of Support for Innovation Ecosystems at the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI).
Commitment - João Weyl, CEO of the Guamá Foundation, the science and technology institution managing the PCT, emphasized the strategic importance of the complex for the Amazon. “This is a space that integrates universities, government, and the productive sector to drive innovation. We operate in various areas, supporting resident and associated laboratories and companies, strengthening patent generation and new businesses, with a positive impact on the state ecosystem and surrounding communities. Our commitment is to encourage progress aligned with sustainable development and centered on people,” highlighted the manager.
Keynes Silva, Deputy Secretary of the State Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Higher, Professional, and Technological Education (Sectet), highlighted that PCT Guamá is a reference in innovation. “Here, more than 17 laboratories, both resident and associated, develop sustainable solutions, such as technologies for the full utilization of açaí, strengthening productive chains and generating new opportunities. We are ready to welcome researchers, investors, and companies willing to transform the potential of the Amazon into sustainable development. PCT Guamá represents a promising path to achieve the progress we strive for while preserving the forest,” he informed.
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange is recognized as one of the main international initiatives aimed at competitiveness. Each edition promotes technical visits to innovation ecosystems in different countries, encouraging partnerships, investments, and cooperation among governments, universities, companies, and multilateral organizations.
Technology and development - Technology parks are considered strategic instruments for national development, strengthening the innovation ecosystem through interaction between government, academia, and the market. These environments function as planned hubs for business growth, stimulating innovative culture, competitiveness, and professional training.
According to the most recent survey by MCTI, released in February 2025 by the InovaData platform, Brazil has 64 technology parks in operation, in addition to 42 under construction and seven in the planning phase. In July of this year, the Ministry announced an investment of R$ 656 million in 57 technology parks, through FNDCT/Finep (National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development/Financier of Studies and Projects), under the National Program for Support to Innovation Environments (PNI).
The last complete survey before this update was published in 2021, when Brazil recorded 55 parks in operation, eight under construction, and eight in planning, gathering 1,993 resident companies, with an annual revenue of R$ 3.7 billion and about 43,000 jobs generated.
For Eduardo Vieira, integration among institutions focused on the ecosystem is essential. “We have been working for over 20 years integrating companies, universities, and laboratories, creating a sustainable environment that also welcomes the community. Our goal is to attract talent, train professionals, and bring young people closer to science and innovation, strengthening sectors such as biotechnology, energy, and Information Technology,” he added.
Integration - Jorge Audy warned of the challenge of expanding the reach of innovation in the country, emphasizing that “Brazil has centers of excellence comparable to the best in the world, but still operates in ‘islands’ that reach only 20% of the population. Without addressing the educational base, we will not transform innovation into a development engine. We need integrated and articulated public policies to align science, industry, and agriculture.”
For Sheila Pires, Brazil has built one of the most robust innovation ecosystems in the world, but there are strategic challenges to face. According to her, “we need to expand socio-environmental impact, strengthen internationalization, and align ourselves with federal and state public policies. These environments should be platforms for economic, social, and sustainable development.”
The relationship between education and innovation was highlighted by Adriana Faria, who believes that “the challenges of Brazilian education directly impact the capacity to develop science and technology. Nevertheless, technology parks generate significant social impact. Each qualified job created can generate three more. It is essential to integrate community, education, and opportunities for young people.”
Innovation in the Amazon - The PCT Guamá is an initiative of the Government of Pará, through Sectet, in partnership with the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and the Federal Rural University of the Amazon (Ufra), and managed by the Guamá Foundation.
It is the first technology park in the Northern region of Brazil and aims to stimulate applied research and innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship to improve the quality of life of the population.
Located on the banks of the Guamá River, which gives its name to the complex, the PCT is situated between the campuses of the two universities and has an ecosystem rich in biodiversity, extending over 72 hectares, designated for buildings and the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Metropolitan Region of Belém.
The complex has more than 30 resident companies (physically installed in the Park), more than 40 associates (linked to the Park but not physically installed), 12 research and development laboratories for processes and products, and a technical school.
The PCT Guamá is part of Anprotec and the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (Iasp), and is part of the largest innovation ecosystem in the world.
