OREANDA-NEWS. A newly formed partnership between Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Brazilian state of Pernambuco opens the way to transfer technology and enhance training in welding and other critical materials-joining skills needed for local companies to build ships and oil rigs for Brazil's petroleum, oil and gas industries.

Pernambuco Gov. Eduardo Campos and Donna Hrinak, president of Boeing Brazil, today in Recife signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will lead to collaborations with Brazilian technical institutions and universities.

"This program supports Pernambuco's economic development strategy by expanding education and opportunities for the long-term growth of our people and our economy," Campos said. "We look forward to a productive collaboration with Boeing in this important endeavor."

The agreement supports local industries and educational institutions as part of Boeing's Super Hornet bid in Brazil's F-X2 fighter competition.

"Boeing has an unmatched reputation for forging new relationships to address local demands and delivering world-class industrial partnership programs," said Hrinak. "This partnership with the state of Pernambuco is a good example of how we can bring the technology and expertise of aerospace to other industries."

TWI Ltd. from the United Kingdom, a global leader in technology engineering, will work with Boeing and local Brazilian technical institutions and universities to share the latest advances in materials-joining technology and techniques and to develop training programs.

 Thus far, participating educational institutions include the National Institute of Materials Joining and Coating Technologies, the Federal University of Pernambuco and the National Service for Industrial Training.