LAHORE: Brazilian Ambassador Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins said on Wednesday that Brazil was meeting more than 42 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources and was ready to cooperate and share knowledge with Pakistan about renewable energy.
At a meeting with business leaders at the regional office of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), he said, “Brazil has improved per hector yield through modern technology and double cropping, and is also one of the largest exporters of poultry meat. Pakistani businessmen can benefit from Brazilian expertise in these sectors.”
About trade volume between Brazil and Pakistan, the ambassador said that despite good diplomatic relations mutual trade volume in 2015 was hardly $ 369 million and that did not match the potential of the two countries. “Brazil is looking for new trade partners in Asia and Pakistani products are the best and can easily make their way to the Brazilian market,” he said. He invited Pakistan businessmen to work on joint ventures with their Brazilian counterparts and bring their reservations about tariff to the Brazilian Embassy in Pakistan.
FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President Mian Rehman Aziz said that Brazil-Pakistan relations were friendly and the balance of trade had been in favour of Brazil. He asserted, “The private sector of Pakistan can definitely take advantage of export of consumer goods like readymade garments, fabric, knitwear, towels, leather and leather products, pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments to Brazil. Brazil offers a huge potential for high quality footballs. Everyone knows that the game of football is very close to the hearts of Brazilian people. We can also supply agro products, including rice, pulses, fruits and vegetables. For this, we need to work closely with the Brazilian Embassy to find right partners,” he said.
He said poultry sector was one of the associated sectors of Pakistan and Brazil. “We should start joint ventures to promote this sector. Brazil is exporting poultry products worth billions of dollars to China, Middle East and India. Its trade with China is $ 83 billion and with India $ 18 billion. We can cooperate in terms of technology transfer and research data and hold skill development programmes in both countries.”
On this occasion, SAARC Chamber Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik called for business-to-business meetings between businessmen of the two countries.
FPCCI Vice President Syed Muhammad Aasim talked about trade and economic relations. “Pakistan’s geographical location is very important and can be beneficial for the Brazilian investors,” he said.