SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois ranks as the fourth top exporter of goods to Brazil among the United States, and a coalition of government, business and educational officials said a six-day trip to the South American country last week will help improve the state’s exports there.

Gov. Pat Quinn led the 35-person coalition that included members of the Illinois Manufacturing Assoc. (IMA), the University of Illinois – the state’s top ag school – the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, ADM and Caterpillar, Inc.

“I am committed to ensuring that Illinois is a top competitor in today’s global marketplace,” Quinn said during one of the group’s stops in Recife. The group also visited businesses and leaders in São Paulo and Brasilia.

More than a dozen agreements were signed between groups from each country pledging to share research, to work together on various projects such as preserving and maintaining the Illinois and Capibaribe rivers and to participate in joint teaching projects.

The IMA and the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo, Brazil (FIESP), signed an agreement to promote trade and investment between Illinois and Brazilian manufacturing companies. Mark Denzler, IMA’s vice president and chief operating officer, said the pact will help Illinois companies gain easier access to FIESP member companies in the growing Brazilian market.

“Brazil, with the largest economy in Latin America, represents tremendous potential for Illinois manufacturing companies,” he said.

He cited an economic study by Delta Economics which concludes: “Brazilian trade growth will increase by 162 percent over the next 14 years, fueled in part by new infrastructure associated with hosting the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.”

Illinois companies exported about $2.55 billion in goods to Brazil last year, an increase of 23 percent over 2010.

That gain was still slightly less than the state’s overall export increase of 30 percent in 2011, and Quinn said the trip’s timing was important so that the state doesn’t lose ground to others in the Brazilian market.

Overall, Illinois exported goods worth about $64.8 billion in 2011. Caterpillar has the largest presence in Brazil, with nearly 10,700 employees based in the South American country.

Shortly after he returned last week, Quinn and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced the state will receive a $1.07 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program. The money will be awarded to small and mid-sized companies to help them meet product compliance certifications needed for exporting, to provide other technical assistance and to help cover costs for overseas trade missions.

“We want to help small and mid-sized businesses in Illinois gain access to the world’s fastest growing markets,” Quinn said. “As Illinois companies compete on a global stage, this program provides a stepping stone to increase their sales overseas and fuel job growth at home.”