Brazil's Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said on Wednesday (13.11.2019) that Brazil needs to seek greater integration with the world and pointed out possible ways for new action on the world stage, such as negotiations on a free trade area with China, one of the country's main trading partners. The remarks were made during the opening of the seminar NDB and Brazil: Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development in Brasilia. NBD is the Development Bank of Brics, a group composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
«We are talking to China about the possibility of 'free trade' "as we talk about joining the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]," said the minister. Guedes has avoided detailed discussions with the Chinese government.But trade flow with China was about $2 billion or so at the turn of the century. Today we're trading $100 billion. our most important trading partner "said Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, who said Brazil needs to seek greater integration with the world and pointed to possible ways for a new role on the world stage, such as negotiations on a free trade zone with China, one of the country's main trading partners.
The minister also cited relations with India, considered "a giant of the global economy», which still reveals a small flow of trade with Brazil.With China we are very close in this dimension of trade. In India, we are very far away. Our flow is $3 or $4 billion,” said.
For Guedes, Brazil should follow the integration examples of countries in Europe and Asia that have raised the "standard of living" of the populations. “The Chinese, Indians, Malaysians, Filipinos, everyone is raising their standard of living. Meanwhile, here, particularly Latin America, Mercosur, has done the opposite: ostrich-headed, we stick our heads to the ground. We remain closed. Our standard of living is getting worse,” said.
During the seminar on the NDB, Guedes argued that Brazil's change of attitude is taking place in the area of commercial development, investments and technology in the digital world.
“NDB (New Development Bank) is a key player in this game. We don’t just want the money [borrowed from the bank], we want the experience in producing efficient infrastructure like China has done. China has done extraordinary infrastructure work.” “Guedes said.
According to the minister, Brazil has been isolated for 40 years and now the government intends to accelerate the opening of the economy. «We will have 40 out of 4"He said. Guedes assured that the country has no interest in wars or trade tensions.We want to be friends with everyone. We are open for business. "He added.
Source: Brazil Agency
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