With live samba music and Brazilian food served, Brazil celebrated its National Day celebrations with room jam-packed with diplomats, officials, parliamentarians and socialites.
“So far, one of the best receptions that I have been to,” said a western diplomat as they all got together to celebrate Brazil’s national day on September 13.
A stage was lit-up with neon lights, and a troupe led by singer Veronica Bonfim sang and danced at one side. The concert by the famous singer was the highlight of the evening. Bonfim was invited by the Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad to perform at the event and also for the Sound & Delights of Brazil at the Marriott Hotel from September 14 to 16.
Bonfim, a florets engineer and a PHD in Forest Science, is visiting Pakistan for the very first time. For many years, Veronica combined her passion for music with her academic pursuits. Today, Veronica has been widely acclaimed in Brazil as one of the most successful singers of the new generation of Brazilian pop music and samba. She was accompanied by three other Brazilian musicians, José Ferreira, Tiago Magalhães and Dudu Viana.
The Brazilian chef had prepared a menu of Brazilian flavour. The menu included everyday dishes from the typical Brazilian’s diet, such as black beans, white rice, “farofa” (fried cassava flour) and “pao de queijo” (cheese bread). There were also some more complex dishes on offer, such as shrimp served in a pumpkin and chicken with melted blue cheese. Desserts were also typical of Brazil, such as quindim (coconut pudding), Brazilian guava tarts and docinhos (small sweets made of chocolate, coconut and peanuts).
On the business end, an official from the Embassy told The Express Tribune that Brazil is Pakistan’s biggest commercial partner in Latin America. He said there is plenty of room to improve the balance of trade between both countries and the mission here is working on the promotion of business opportunities in Brazil and Pakistan for businessmen from both countries.
Brazil is the world’s leading producer and exporter of iron, coffee, soybean, orange juice, corn, beef, chicken, sugar, tobacco, ethanol, and as many sports fans would agree, beautiful football.
In sugar, Brazil accounts for half of the world’s market. The first commercial partner of Brazil is China. The balance of trade between the two countries is US$56.4 billion. The official said that good performance of the Brazilian economy is the result of the “Real Plan”, an economy plan which has been followed by Brazilian governments since 1994.
As a developing country, Brazilian authorities are also struggling to improve organisation and create a more efficient administration, and programs and policies are in place to reach this objective, he said, noting that the plan aims at stabilising the economy, taming inflation and promoting growth, and that Brazil is ready to share this experience with Pakistan.
In addition to the National Day of Brazil, there is a three-day Brazilian Festival at Marriott Hotel, “Sounds and Delights of Brazil”, running from September 14 to 16, where visitors will get to enjoy Brazilian culinary delights prepared by Chef Henrique Teodoro, who is in Islamabad especially for this occasion. Following that, there will be a weekend of Brazilian “Churrasco”, at Majilis Restaurant, where savoury Brazilian-style steaks will be on offer.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th, 2011.
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