Việt Nam Is Brazil’s Top Priority Partner in Asia: Brazilian VP Alckmin
Brasilia, The Gulf Observer: Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, affirmed Việt Nam’s status as Brazil’s priority partner in Asia during a working session with Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil, Bùi Văn Nghị, on June 19.
Vice President Alckmin expressed his admiration for Việt Nam’s impressive growth rate and its deep integration into the international economy, evidenced by its participation in 16 free trade agreements (FTAs). He highlighted Việt Nam as an attractive destination for economic, trade, and tourism activities, noting its role in connecting supply chains, semiconductor production, and logistics services.
To further strengthen ties, Alckmin proposed establishing a direct air route between Brazil and Việt Nam, which would enhance tourism and trade exchanges with Southeast Asia. He also emphasized Brazil’s interest in expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, high technology, particularly in the semiconductor industry, and clean, renewable energy.
Ambassador Nghị acknowledged the strong political and diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasizing the robust growth in economic and trade cooperation. Brazil stands as Việt Nam’s largest trading partner in Latin America and the second largest in the Americas, following the United States. Conversely, Việt Nam is Brazil’s leading trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade between Việt Nam and Brazil reached $7.11 billion, with Việt Nam’s imports valued at $4.7 billion. In the first five months of this year, Việt Nam’s export turnover to Brazil was $1.14 billion, marking a 1.48 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Key export items included phones and components, vehicles and spare parts, and computers and electronic products.
Ambassador Nghị also praised Brazil’s aviation technology, particularly Embraer’s narrow-body aircraft, which aligns with Việt Nam’s air transport and tourism development needs.
This meeting underscores the commitment of both nations to deepen their comprehensive partnership, leveraging each other’s strengths to foster mutual growth and development.
