MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK Chief Secretary in Brazil to build relationships and promote investments

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Elizabeth Truss said: “This year we have seen record investment in the UK and rising exports to destinations around the globe” (Pic Twitter)

UK Chief Secretary Elizabeth Truss is this week visiting Brasilia and Sao Paulo for bilateral meetings with authorities and will follow-up on the second UK-Brazil Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), particularly on infrastructure. Latest figures show that bilateral trade between UK and Brazil is worth £5.4 billion a year.

 Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Elizabeth Truss said: “This year we have seen record investment in the UK and rising exports to destinations around the globe. Latin America is a massive growth market. Countries like Brazil are reforming their economies and want to grow and trade.”

“I am visiting this week to strengthen our links, meet businesses and investors and promote the free enterprise message. And as we leave the European Union and establish an independent trade policy we will be able to negotiate new trade agreements with major trading partners, like Brazil.”

The Chief Secretary will visit the GSK-Butantan Centre of Excellence. One of the largest biomedical research centers in the world, responsible for 51% of Brazil’s vaccine production. UK-based pharmaceutical giant GSK and the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP) partnered to fund the Centre of Excellence together in 2013.

Ms Truss will also visit the University of Sao Paulo to visit the Shell Lab where the UK has collaborated with the University on a number of projects. Additionally, she will give a speech to the Instituto Millenium, one of Brazil’s biggest think-tanks, on the importance of free enterprise.

The Chief Secretary will discuss the next steps of the EFD, including British support for Brazil joining the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is a fundamental part of the EFD, and working towards agreeing a UK-Brazil Double Taxation Agreement, a top ask from British businesses.