RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today joined Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Trade Luiz Furlan to officially launch the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue. The goal of this Dialogue is to develop strategies that will stimulate bilateral trade and investment, with a focus on improving the competitiveness of each country.
The Commercial Dialogue is a direct result of meetings last November between U.S. President Bush and Brazilian President Lula, when the two leaders met and made a commitment to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries through a new government-to-government dialogue on improving the commercial relationship.
"The establishment of this commercial dialogue with Brazil is a priority for the Bush Administration, and I am proud to lead this effort with Minister Furlan," said Gutierrez. "We are working hard with our Brazilian counterparts to ensure that this Commercial Dialogue delivers concrete steps to make both of our nations more competitive in the global economy. By making it easier to conduct trade and investment between our two countries we can create a win-win situation for both Brazil and the United States." The Commercial Dialogue will be a government-to-government initiative working closely with the private sectors of both countries. Both governments intend to meet at least once a year at the ministerial level to carry the agenda forward. The Commercial Dialogue should address topics such as business facilitation, trade and investment promotion, and other commercial issues of mutual benefit.
"The partnership we enjoy with Brazil is strong, but we are always looking for ways to make it even better," continued Gutierrez. "By working together to facilitate business and support entrepreneurship and innovation, the United States and Brazil can increase our commercial ties and build a competitive platform for the Americas." U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue Fact Sheet
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
