Brazil announces multiple-entry visa for businessmen

Offers help in producing ethanol fuel, developing agriculture.

FAISALABAD:

Brazil has announced that it will give five-year multiple-entry visas to Pakistani businessmen in order to expand bilateral trade.

Ambassador of Brazil Alfredo Leoni announced this in a meeting with business community at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Thursday.

The meeting was aimed at promoting commercial ties and giving a message that the Brazilian embassy would extend all possible support and cooperation to the business community.

Brazil, which is the sixth largest economy and eighth biggest consumer market of the world, wanted to boost bilateral trade and help Pakistan produce ethanol fuel and develop health and agricultural sectors, he said.

Brazil, which donated $1.2 million for flood victims in 2010, believes that Pakistan has a huge economic potential, which needs to be explored.

Speaking on the occasion, FCCI President Muzammil Sultan expressed hope that Brazil would start joint ventures with Pakistan in power generation and water conservation projects.

He pointed out that though Brazil was an important trading partner, bilateral trade was much below potential. In fiscal year 2010, bilateral trade stood at $439.38 million, which was in favour of Brazil.

Separately speaking to board of directors of the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company, the Brazilian ambassador said Pakistan could learn from the experience of Brazil for overcoming the energy crisis.

Brazil has transformed itself from an energy-starved to an energy-surplus country within a few years, he said.

Brazil meets 73% of its energy needs from hydropower and constructs one dam every year to meet the growing demand.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2012.