SAO PAULO, Oct. 16, 2012 (ANTARA/PRNewswire) --The topic of the 17th Meeting International held on October 10 through 13 in Punta Mita, Mexico was "The Challenges of the Latin American Economy", which was discussed by Brazilian and Mexican government authorities and business leaders. Sponsored by LIDE [Grupo de Lideres Empresariais - Group of Business Leaders], chaired by Brazilian businessman Joao Doria Jr., the event pointed to the main hurdles and possibilities for growth in the trade relations between the two countries.
Marcos Raposo, the Brazilian ambassador to Mexico, stressed that "Brazil needs a greater share of the consumer market, and that Mexico should diversity its trade relations. This would enable the two nations to become partners and stimulate cooperation between the two economies."
The seminar held on October 12 enabled participants to get a better understanding of the business needs and opportunities of the two countries, as well as a broader vision of the challenges facing the Latin American economy. Presentations by Paulo Rabello de Castro, economist and President of LIDE ECONOMIA, and Paulo Skaf, the President of FIESP [Federacao das Industrias do Estado de Sao Paulo - The State of Sao Paulo Federation of Industries] further drove the debate between event participants.
Good reforms and a favorable business environment are essential for the development of both nations, which should combine forces in the current scenario. Brazil is linked to the Mercosur, and Mexico has a free trade agreement with the United States. According to Ildefonso Guajardo, the representative of the new Mexican Government, Brazil and Mexico are increasingly moving apart and because of this both countries end up losing. "One of President Enrique Pena Nieto's plans is to work together and expand the trade relations between the two countries."
Marco Maia, the Chairman of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, reminded participants that both governments play an important role in global leadership. "In this time when we are facing an economic crisis, business leaders can positively contribute to improve this scenario." Minas Gerais governor Antonio Anastasia believes the meeting was extremely useful as it revealed excellent opportunities for business, trade and institutional relations between two countries, which are experiencing very similar situations.
Wesley Batista, CEO of JBS, the world's largest beef exporter, with three processing facilities in Mexico, was one of the business leaders present at the Meeting. He explained that the relationships that emerge from the Meeting always yield important fruits in future. "We are always able to strengthen our commercial ties" he added. According to Marcelo Lyra, VP for Institutional Relations at Braskem, the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, and the world leader in the production of biopolymers, the event enables a close interaction between company CEOs. "we are physically close, we can look each other in the eye and feel the need for business, the outcome of this is certainly positive".
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