ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Brazil have liberalized visa regime to promote business and trade for businessmen community of both countries.
Brazilian Ambassador Alfredo Leoni announced in Islamabad on Wednesdy that from now on‚ both the countries will grant five years’ multiple visa to their businessmen desiring to visit each other’s countries for business and to enhance the bilateral ties in business and trading.
Expressing his reservations‚ the Ambassador said both the countries have old and cordial relations‚ but balance of trade between Pakistan and Brazil does not reflect the nature of ties. He said Brazil wants to increase the balance of trade with Pakistan up to one billion US dollars from three hundred million dollars. He said volume of Brazilian trade with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is triple than Pakistan.
Alfredo said trade between Pakistan and Brazil through the third party is even higher than our direct trade. He stressed the need to bring all trades under official umbrella.
He urged both countries’ businessmen community to exchange frequent visits and explore the areas where they can cooperate. Elaborating the objectives of liberalizing business visa regime‚ Leoni said Brazil believes without concrete visa policy it is impossible to enhance business. He said traveling to Brazil is no more an issue since direct flights go to Brazil from Middle-East and Turkey.
Talking about tariff reduction‚ the Ambassador said it is a bit complicated thing‚ however‚ both the countries are working on it. He said Brazil cannot sign free or preferential trade agreements with Pakistan as it is part of Southern Common Market union‚ Mercosur.
Talking about cooperation in energy sector‚ Alfredo said Brazil wants to share its expertise with Pakistan about ethanol fuel. He said ethanol has contributed to a significantly in developing Brazilian economy. He said private sector deals with Brazilian hydropower projects.
