There exists plenty of room for further enhancement of economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Brazil

HE Alfredo Leoni is a career diplomat. Since October 2009, he has been Ambassador of Brazil to Pakistan, concurrently to Afghanistan and Tajikistan. He has served in the Embassies of Brazil in Mexico (1984-86), Berlin (1987-89), Beijing (1996-98), Rome (2001-03) and Tokyo (2004-06). He was also posted to the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the United Nations, in New York (1993-1996), where he served as Delegate of Brazil to the UN Security Council. Immediately before coming to Islamabad, he was Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission in the Embassy of Brazil in Washington (2007-09).

Jahangir’s World Times: How do define the state of bilateral relationship between Brazil and Pakistan?

Alfredo Leoni: We are having very good time as two friends and partners. Our bilateral trade is improving significantly. It has enhanced from being $240m to over $400m in a short span of time. It reflects improvement in our trade relations. Brazil is putting attention towards Pakistan in many fields; e.g. trade, economic cooperation, culture and  humanitarian issues. We have not left our Pakistani friends alone at the time of  natural disasters. Last year, we provided $1.2 m in cash in the aftermath of 2010 floods. Very soon, I will make an announcement for new contribution in cash and food items. We are working on it and it will be made public very soon. We will provide large quantity of food to ameliorate the situation of our Pakistani friends. We are also emphasizing upon cultural relations. In this regard we held exhibition of photographs and other things last year. This year, we have decided to take gallery owners, event promoters, blogger, football coaches and journalists from Pakistan to Brazil for training. On our national day celebrations here, we invited Brazilian singer, music band and a Brazilian Chef to cook here.

JWT: Excellency, what are your contributions as Ambassador of Brazil in further promoting bilateral relations?

AL: There has been lot of efforts from our side in this regard. We have been endeavouring to enhance our presence here. We have made 100 per cent increase in our Embassy. We have worked more to improve relations by making consular section more active. Consular section had only one employee but now we have persons in the section. The number of visas for Pakistani visitors is doubled comparing the previous number. As ambassador, I have been trying to promote the image of my country in Pakistan and the opportunities for Pakistanis in Brazil. For that matter, we have created Pak-Brazil Friendship Council.

JWT: There is overwhelming goodwill among Pakistanis for Brazil. But the relationship is not so warm in terms of business.

AL: You are right. There exists plenty of room for further enhancement of economic and trade relations. Brazil is the largest partner of Pakistan in Latin America with $400 million trade partnership. Our objective is to enhance this volume of trade to $1billion in next two or three years. We are 8th largest economy and 8th largest consumer market in the world. Our imports are $180 billion. Business community of Pakistan should actively explore Brazilian market as they (Pakistanis) know little about Brazil and the Brazilian market. Our largest commercial partner is China with trade volume of $56 billion. It means distance is not a problem. Why not Pakistan becomes a major trading partner with us? I assure Pakistani businessmen that visa is not an issue and one can reach Brazil in a day. We will become 5th largest economy by the end of this year. We have good trade relations with India of around $7 billion. Why not Pakistan and Brazil can enhance mutual trade to such a level?  Brazil can be a combined trading partner with China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is the vision we are following.

JWT: Brazil is in the league of BRICS-Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. What are prospects for future growth?

AL: Brazil is playing very active role in the international community. We have extended our foreign service and opened 37 new embassies in the last eight years and have created 220 new posts abroad. We have 1400 career diplomats and as many as 6000 career employees. The idea is to have much room for bigger and active embassies.

JWT: Brazil has been vying to have permanent seat at the UN Security Council. What are the chances?

AL: I think the UN must change. The UN system remains the same as it was at the time of its creation. When the UN was created, the situation was different. We had Soviet Union and the Cold War. International relations were different at that time. Brazil thinks the Security Council has to change and be representative in line with the international situation today. Significance of Brazil cannot be ignored today.

JWT: The United States is putting pressure on Pakistan. How do you view the security situation today viz-a-viz terrorism?

AL: Brazil has very clear and strong position on terrorism issue. We are against terrorist activities and terrorist organizations. We believe that all issues should be resolved by peaceful means and not by military actions. Brazil highly values contribution of Pakistan in the war against terror. Pakistan has given sacrifices in human terms and suffered huge losses.

JWT: The United States has its physical presence in Afghanistan in the neighbourhood of Pakistan. What has been experience of Brazil as a neighbouring country of the United States in South America?

AL: We always have friendly relations with the United States. But this does not mean that Brazil stands for the same position on all issues as is the stance of the United States. Brazil’s position on Iran was quite different than that of the United States on the issue of imposing sanctions against Iran.

JWT: How can Brazil cooperate with Pakistan in agriculture sector?

AL: There is a plenty of room for cooperation in the agriculture sector. A high level delegation will visit Pakistan in second week of October to hold talks on cooperation in the field of sugar and ethanol. This visit will begin a new era of cooperation between the two sides.