Free trade between China and Brazil will be on the agenda when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits the South American country next week, said Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

“The issue of free trade between the two nations is very important,” Ms Rousseff told Chinese newspaper China Business News in an interview. “Brazil and China are both very interested in establishing free trade relations.”

Ms Rousseff added: “We will further discuss this issue when the Chinese Premier visits Brazil.”

The Brazilian President also said her Government would look to China for major investments in its infrastructure.

“At this stage, Brazil really needs the knowledge and expertise of China on infrastructure development so that Brazil can apply these to the construction of highways, railways, ports and airports,” she said.

“We can also generate more business opportunities, for example in food processing and aviation co-operation, as well as in information technology, an area in which China has achieved a lot,” Ms Rousseff added.

Mr Li will pay official visits to four Latin American countries including Brazil from May 18 to 26.