PHL Embassy participates in visit of ASEAN Ambassadors to Goias, Brazil

Philippine Ambassador to Brazil, Eva G. Betita, joined the ASEAN Ambassadors/Heads of Mission (HOMs) of Brasilia from  Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore for a special visit to the State of Goias, Brazil on 16 May 2013 for the 68th Exposição Agropecuária (Agriculture and Livestock Expo) organized by the Sociedade Goiana de Pecuaria e Agricultura (SGPA).

High-level local officials who had business meeting with the ASEAN HOMs include SGPA President Ricardo Yano, Mr. Antônio Flávio Camilo de Lima, Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Goias, and Mr. Pedro Alves de Oliveira, President of the Federation of Industries of the State of Goias (FIEG).

The State of Goias is one of the fastest growing states in Brazil. In 2012, the state grew by 3.8%, higher than the country's GDP growth of 0.9%. The state is the 3rd largest producer of beef in Brazil and a leader in the country in crop raising. It is also home to car manufacturing companies such as Hyundai, Mitsubushi and Suzuki.

The visit provided the opportunity for the Philippine Embassy to explore business opportunities and possible areas of cooperation between the State of Goias and the Philippine public and private sectors, and Filipino cattle breeders interested in importing and/or breeding Brazilian cattle and buffaloes, under the ambit of the memoranda of understanding between the Philippines and Brazil in agricultural and technical cooperation that were concluded in 2009.

During the visit, Ambassador Betita was interviewed by TV SGP, a local digital program dedicated to agribusiness in Goias, about the Philippines and its relations with Brazil. END