- Brazil wants enhanced business and cultural ties with Pakistan
Brazilian Ambassador Alfredo Leoni in an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today said that Brazil is ready to extend all possible help to Pakistan to overcome the prevailing energy crisis, including other sectors as well.
“We want to help Pakistan in executing more power projects so that it could overcome existing energy crisis,” hesaid.
The ambassador said that Brazil faced the same energy crisis a few years back and was successful in overcoming it through Hydropower projects. ” Today, Pakistan is facing the same crisis and we are ready to send our engineers to help pull the country out of darkness,” he opined credited for bringing both the countries close in different sectors.
Leoni remarked that Pakistan is blessed with natural water resources and believed that the solution of power crisis lies in hydroelectric projects by building small dams. These small dams would not only increase power generation but could help get rid of flash floods.“We overcame Brazil’s energy crisis through hydroelectric power projects and by building numerous small dams. Pakistan should also build multiple small dams if it is not capable of building big dams,” he added.
Talking about trade ties between the two countries, the ambassador said that both the countries have capacity to enhance trade volume up to $1 billion. He observed that under the new agreement of allowing five-year multiple business visa both countries are hoping to increase economic and trade relations between them. Brazil, the 6th largest economy of the world, is the largest commercial partner of Pakistan in Latin America and the balance of commerce between the two countries reached almost $ 285 million in 2012.
Leoni highlighted that major Brazilian exports to Pakistan include cotton, fuel pumps, plastic, iron and steel, tobacco and pulp among others, while major Pakistani exports to Brazil include textile items, surgical items, soccer ball and manicure instruments including others. “Pakistan produces best quality footballs the world over which are very popular in Brazil being a soccer crazy nation.
To a query regarding further improvement in trade volume, the ambassador said that in the area of Biotechnology (from agriculture to pharmaceutical research), development of vaccines and in telecommunication and computer engineering bio-energy both countries could explore further opportunities.
He informed that various cultural activities have been organised between the two countries for promotion of each other’s culture through art exhibitions and conducting musical programmes. “We have invited Pakistani artists in the past to visit Brazil and experience its diverse culture,” he added.
Furthermore, he said that Brazil is also promoting Pakistan ’s education sector by offering undergraduate and graduate scholarships in various disciplines to Pakistani students. “I believe that this country has huge potential which needs to be explored,” he added. Moreover, he expressed his desire to enhance the military and political leadership between the two countries.
Yes, Pakistan should learn from Brazil's experience .. this ambassador is very active to enhance Bilateral relations! i hope if Pakistan will show intrest to take Brazil's support to overcome energy crisis the later will extend all kind of possible assitance.
It is indeed a great news for Pakistan. Brazil has faced serious energy crises in the past. It is the commitment and comprehensive plans of Brazil that the country not only has overcome its energy crises but it is extending its supports and expertise to other countries in managing their energy crises.
It is a matter of fact that Pakistan presently is in dire need of a support, like what Brazil offered, to mitigate energy crisis in Pakistan. I think the government of Pakistan will pay heed to the Brazil's offer.
It is worth noting that the Brazil’s Ambassador in Pakistan, Alfredo Leoni, has had an active role in establishing and strengthening Pak-Brazil ties. We are thankful to him for offering Pakistan a much-needed support.
feel pleasure
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