Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce – BCCC Launches New Chapter in Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough, ON – June 25, 2025 – The Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce – BCCC is proud to announce the successful launch of its newest regional chapter in Peterborough, Ontario, on June 25, 2025. This important milestone reflects the Chamber’s continued commitment to expanding its national footprint and fostering bilateral engagement beyond major urban centres.
The Peterborough Chapter will be led by Marcelo Sarkis, President of Prima IP and a prominent advocate for innovation, intellectual property, and international business development in Ontario. With deep roots in the local business community and strong ties to Brazil, Marcelo is well-positioned to guide this chapter’s strategic growth.
The chapter aims to serve as a hub for businesses, startups, and institutions across Peterborough and the Kawarthas seeking international partnerships, trade support, and investment channels between Brazil and Canada. Key focus areas include cleantech, Agri-innovation, advanced manufacturing, and academic collaboration.
“Peterborough represents a new frontier for bilateral engagement,” said Peter Hawkins, Co-Chair of the BCCC. “With its strong innovation ecosystem and export potential, this chapter will play a vital role in diversifying and strengthening the Canada-Brazil relationship.”
The launch event, held on June 25, brought together local business leaders, academia, and public sector stakeholders, marking the beginning of a new platform for dialogue, connection, and cross-border growth. The chapter’s upcoming agenda includes a Fall 2025 business roundtable and trade delegation initiatives.
Marcelo Sarkis Appointed as Chapter Chair
Marcelo König Sarkis is a bilingual (English/Portuguese) professional chemical engineer and seasoned intellectual property expert with over 36 years of experience advising multinationals, SMEs, start‑ups, and entrepreneurs across Canada and the U.S. He is the Principal and Senior Patent Agent at Prima IP, where he specializes in drafting and prosecuting patents and industrial designs in pharmaceuticals, chemical, oil & gas, medical devices, mining, amusement devices and electric vehicles. Marcelo is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario, a Fellow of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and a Class 1 Patent Agent with the College of Patent and Trademark Agents and advises clients on acquiring, managing, and leveraging their IP assets strategically.
Deeply committed to promoting Canada‑Brazil innovation ties, Marcelo has served as a BCCC board member, Executive Director, President and currently co-chairs the Innovation, Science & Technology Committee.
An engaged community leader, Marcelo leads various IP themed workshops at Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ, the Science Discovery Zone, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Innovation Cluster.
Marcelo is a past board member of the Peterborough Agricultural Society, and a past board member of the New Canadians Centre. He also co‑founded the not-for-profit Blue Wave Taekwondo Canada in Peterborough, Ontario, where he leads the Blue Wave Leadership Team in engaging both youth and adults in improving their lives through physical and mental well being.
Marcelo’s career bridges legal, technical, cultural, and entrepreneurial domains, making him a formidable advocate for deepening the innovation and business relationship between Brazil and Canada.
For more information or to get involved with the BCCC Peterborough Chapter, please contact:
info@brazcanchamber.org
About the BCCC
Established in 1973, the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the commercial relationship between Brazil and Canada. We are delighted to have these excellent additions to our board.