BOOSTING TRADE: Indian President Pratibha Patil (right) with Sao Paulo Industries Federation President Paulo Skaf (left) at a meeting of businessmen from both countries in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday.Pratibha underpins bilateral trade with Brazil
Gargi Parsai
A 14-member trade team is accompanying the President
Gargi Parsai
A 14-member trade team is accompanying the President
RIO DE JANEIRO: Tata’s tie-up with Marcopolo for 600 green buses in Delhi, leading aircraft manufacturer Embraer’s talks with Indian firms for joint ventures in production, ONGC Videsh’s holding in Brazilian Petrobras oil company, expansion of Bajaj scooters in Brazil are just some of the bilateral business projects that are in the process of being tied-up between India and Brazil during the two week-long state visit of President Pratibha Patil.
There is a huge demand for Tata’s newest wonder, the small Nano car, although there is nothing concrete in that direction yet. After Jaguar and Landrover, Tata’s might just be getting into Embraer, sources indicated.
A 14-member business and trade delegation is accompanying Ms. Patil. For the first time such a major initiative has been taken to tie-up a state visit with business talks. “These are just some of the examples of breaking new ground in economic cooperation,” said Ms. Patil in her address to business representatives from India and Brazil.
In his ‘restricted’ meeting with Ms. Patil, President of the Federation of Industry of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP) Paulo Skaf admitted feeling ‘embarassed’ about just $3.2 billion business with India, which offers a huge potential. The State of Sao Paulo represents 42 per cent of Brazil’s GDP and is considered a commercial hub of Latin America.
Official sources said in the one-on-one meeting, Ms. Patil focussed on synergised trade relations. She emphasised on the agriculture sector, particularly in post-harvest technology and agri-businesses and livestock. Eighty-five per cent of Brazilian cattle are of Indian origin because it was felt that tropical cows were more suitable to the country than European ones. Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry Nalin Surie said the country had a lot to learn from Brazil in agriculture and agri-business. “The discussions are a good beginning. The President has taken the initiative for underpinning economic cooperation,” he said.
Ms. Patil emphasised that both sides had the acumen, the desire, the will and the skills to take the bilateral business and trade opportunities forward.
India and Brazil will sign four bilateral agreements, including an extradition treaty, to give an impetus to bilateral relations.
Mr. Skaf identified areas of bilateral interests as IT, science and technology, automobile, including fuel, and food and energy security. “It is the suggestion of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that President Patil should meet the FIESP delegation during her trip to Brazil,” said Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri. The Indian side was impressed with the FIESP running a comprehensive educational programme. Of the 15,000 employees under FIESP, 10,000 are professional teachers and educational professionals who teach 1.2 million students. There were hints of the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India following the example.
Now on a three-day visit to Brazil, Ms. Patil will address the Senate on Wednesday before leaving for Mexico on the second leg of her three-nation tour.
There is a huge demand for Tata’s newest wonder, the small Nano car, although there is nothing concrete in that direction yet. After Jaguar and Landrover, Tata’s might just be getting into Embraer, sources indicated.
A 14-member business and trade delegation is accompanying Ms. Patil. For the first time such a major initiative has been taken to tie-up a state visit with business talks. “These are just some of the examples of breaking new ground in economic cooperation,” said Ms. Patil in her address to business representatives from India and Brazil.
In his ‘restricted’ meeting with Ms. Patil, President of the Federation of Industry of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP) Paulo Skaf admitted feeling ‘embarassed’ about just $3.2 billion business with India, which offers a huge potential. The State of Sao Paulo represents 42 per cent of Brazil’s GDP and is considered a commercial hub of Latin America.
Official sources said in the one-on-one meeting, Ms. Patil focussed on synergised trade relations. She emphasised on the agriculture sector, particularly in post-harvest technology and agri-businesses and livestock. Eighty-five per cent of Brazilian cattle are of Indian origin because it was felt that tropical cows were more suitable to the country than European ones. Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry Nalin Surie said the country had a lot to learn from Brazil in agriculture and agri-business. “The discussions are a good beginning. The President has taken the initiative for underpinning economic cooperation,” he said.
Ms. Patil emphasised that both sides had the acumen, the desire, the will and the skills to take the bilateral business and trade opportunities forward.
India and Brazil will sign four bilateral agreements, including an extradition treaty, to give an impetus to bilateral relations.
Mr. Skaf identified areas of bilateral interests as IT, science and technology, automobile, including fuel, and food and energy security. “It is the suggestion of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that President Patil should meet the FIESP delegation during her trip to Brazil,” said Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri. The Indian side was impressed with the FIESP running a comprehensive educational programme. Of the 15,000 employees under FIESP, 10,000 are professional teachers and educational professionals who teach 1.2 million students. There were hints of the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India following the example.
Now on a three-day visit to Brazil, Ms. Patil will address the Senate on Wednesday before leaving for Mexico on the second leg of her three-nation tour.
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