Boeing and Embraer attempt a joint venture

BOEING AND the Brazilian jet maker Embraer will attempt to form a joint venture that would push the United States aerospace giant more aggressively into the regional aircraft market.

The new company, which has faced heavy scrutiny from lawmakers in Brazil, is being valued at about US$4.7 billion.

The companies said Thursday that Boeing Company will own 80 per cent of the joint venture, and Embraer SA the remaining 20 per cent.

Brazilian lawmakers have been hesitant to allow any deal, fearing the loss of control of a major industrial and defence asset.

Embraer is one of Brazil’s industrial giants and the government sees the company, which is involved in defence manufacturing, as strategically important. President Michel Temer had previously rejected selling control of the jet maker to Boeing.

The government has veto power over any change in the company’s controlling interest, an indication of how highly prized it is and how sensitive any deal with foreign investors is.

Any partnership between Boeing, based in Chicago, and Embraer would counter strengthening ties between Europe’s Airbus and Canada’s Bombardier, which have threatened Boeing.

Embraer’s line-up of E-jets would help Boeing counter Airbus’ new majority stake in Bombardier’s C Series planes that have 100 to 150 seats and help it compete with small airliners from China.

AP Miniature models of planes by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer sit on display at the Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition of 2013.