Nuzman highlighted the fact that British firm AECOM last month won the international competition to design the masterplan for the Rio 2016 Olympic Park and he believes that other British businesses will follow their lead.

"British businesses can provide invaluable expertise and direction that we do not have in Brazil," said Nuzman here at the Rio Business Forum Event.

"The fact that the British firm AECOM will design the masterplan for the Rio 2016 Olympic Park is just one example of this.

"There were 60 entries from firms in 18 countries to design the master plan for our Olympic Park but their experience was crucial for us.

"AECOM designed the master plan for the Olympic Park for London 2012 which gives us reassurance and the experience of the people and businesses who worked on London will also be very important for us as well.

"Now is the time when we are really stepping up our preparations and awarding our major contracts so we will be looking to Britain as their businesses will be crucial for us in organising our event and I believe that they can set up successfully in Brazil."


Nuzman also pointed to the example of Mike Lee (pictured right with Nuzman), the founder and chairman of international sport business consultancy Vero Communications.

The London-based organisation launched their first overseas office in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year under the company name MLA True Communications to capitalise on sports industry opportunities in Brazil ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It comes shortly after Vero spearheaded the successful Rio 2016 Bid campaign back in 2009 under the direction of Lee, the former director of communications and public affairs during London's successful 2012 Olympic bid.

"Mike Lee, who helped us a lot during our bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics, has already shown that British companies can set up successfully in Rio and in Brazil," Nuzman said.

"His company is providing leading communications in Rio by drawing on the experience of their London-based company Vero.

"I am sure that many other British companies can follow this example and move successfully to Brazil as there are so many opportunities there.

"We are the world's seventh largest economy we are continuing to grow all the time despite the worldwide economic problems so it is a very attractive place for businesses to be right now."

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