A delegation of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), led by Secretary-General Ji Xianzheng, visited Brazil from June 18 to 20. During its stay in Brazil, the delegation visited the Chinese Ambassador to Brazil, Mr Zhu Qingqiao, the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Rio de Janeiro, Ms Tian Min, the Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services (MDIC), Ms Márcio Elias Rosa, and the Secretary of Asia and the Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr Eduardo Saboia. During these meetings, the parties involved exchanged views on the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation agreed upon in the Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao, and the preparation of the Sixth Ministerial Conference. In addition, the delegation also visited the National Library of Brazil, the School of Communication, Media and Information of the Getulio Vargas Foundation, and the Genesis Institute of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.

During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the MDIC, Ms Márcio Elias Rosa, recognized Forum Macao’s function and expressed the Brazilian’s willingness to utilize Forum Macao and the Macao platform to further promote cooperation and investment between China and Brazil in the areas of technological innovation, digital economy, youth entrepreneurship, development of SMEs, etc. The Secretary of Foreign Trade of the MDIC, Ms Tatiana Prazeres, pointed out that Brazil considers China a highly relevant trade partner and reiterated the importance of the Chinese market. It is envisaged that by encouraging the diversification of Brazilian product exports to China, the presence of high value-added products will increase even further.

The Secretary of Asia and the Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr Eduardo Saboia, emphasized that Brazil has been concerned about and supportive of Forum Macao and the development of Macao’s role as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs), affirming to continue participating in Forum Macao’s future activities. The Secretary also outlined the Brazilian government’s policies on new energy development and agricultural machinery production in an effort to strengthen exchange and cooperation with China in these fields.

During the meeting with the famous Brazilian think tank, the School of Communication, Media and Information of the Getulio Vargas Foundation, the two sides exchanged views on strengthening institutional exchange, utilizing Forum Macao and the Macao platform for exchange and cooperation in seminars, colloquiums, exhibitions, and promoting cooperation in the fields of digital economy and cultural trade between China and Brazil.

The parties involved discussed a number of topics of common interest during the meeting with the Genesis Institute of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and a few startup representatives. Topics include enhancing business exchanges by utilizing Macao’s Sino-Portuguese platform, establishing contacts, and carrying out cooperation between Brazilian startups and companies from Mainland China and Macao. The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao also extended an invitation to Brazilian startup entrepreneurs and students from higher education institutions to participate in the 929 Challenge, a competition that brings together startups and university students from China and PSCs.

In addition, the delegation also exchanged views with the National Library of Brazil on fostering cultural collaboration projects between the two countries, particularly at the level of the exchange of literary works. 

The meeting was attended by: Deputy Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Paulo Jorge Rodrigues do Espírito Santo; Deputy Secretary-General, Mr Casimiro de Jesus Pinto; Coordinator of the Support Office, Ms Teresa Mok; Portuguese Liaison of Forum Macao, Mr Rodrigo Mendes Araújo; and Advisor of the Executive Office, Ms Li Jiabei.