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The acting president and Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC), Geraldo Alckmin, said this Wednesday that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be able to bring “significant advances” to the negotiations of the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur on his next trip to Europe, after his current visit to China.
At the opening of the Abdib forum, Alckmin recalled that Lula's next destination after the president returns from the Asian country will be Europe, where Lula will visit Portugal and Spain between April 21st and 26th.
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“The president's (Lula's) next trip should be to Europe, where the issue of the Mercosur and European Union agreement is being worked on, and could also bring significant advances,” said the acting president.
At the event, Alckmin said that, in addition to focusing on trade with large economies, it is necessary to strengthen ties with neighboring countries, since trade is “tremendously intra-regional”. According to him, “we have to start with the neighbors, make a big commercial effort here in the region”.
Alckmin will continue as acting president until Lula returns from China at the weekend. After China, Lula will also visit Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
At the Abdib event, Alckmin stated that there are “many possibilities for partnerships and investments” for Brazil resulting from Lula's official visit to China.
He mentioned “very positive expectations for purchases of aircraft manufactured in Brazil”, but did not provide further details.
Alckmin also said that Brazil “will have strong and sustainable growth” that will be made possible by measures sought by the government, such as tax reform and the new fiscal framework, yet to be presented to Congress.
According to the acting president, the effort to “fiscal anchor” Brazil will open space for a reduction in interest rates by the Central Bank, repeating previous comments. The Selic rate is currently at 13.75%, a level that has been a recurring target of criticism from Lula and other members of the government.
Source: Luana Maria Benedito | Notícias Agrícolas
