Brazil plans to launch a national export plan by the end of this month. The Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Armando Monteiro, gave the news on Tuesday.

Speaking to legislators, Mr Monteiro explained that, in a time of what he referred to as crisis and adjustments, it was “crucial” for the country to focus on foreign trade.

The plan, which is still being discussed by the Government, is expected to include measures to ease customs procedures. The idea, the Minister said – as quoted by Brazilian news outlet Agência Brasil – is to reduce the time it takes to process an export.

Ideas include putting online some customs procedures for imports and exports; to minimise bureaucracy.

Mr Monteiro hopes the new national export plan will mobilise the private sector.

“Currently, our foreign trade represents 20 per cent of our gross domestic product, but the average of developed countries is almost double [that]”, the Minister said.

According to another report from Agência Brasil, Brazil’s total exports up to mid-June have surpassed its total imports in the period: the first time such a trend has occurred. Official data revealed on Monday by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade showed that the country’s trade balance so far this year registers a surplus of US$2.65 billion.