(Brazilian President Michel Temer)
BRASILIA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Michel Temer has said that during a visit to China this week, he will announce a series of new investment opportunities.
Accompanied by a large delegation of senior officials and businessmen, Temer will embark on a state visit to China on Thursday, in which he will also attend the 9th BRICS Summit scheduled for September 3-5 in southeast China's coastal city of Xiamen.
In an interview with Xinhua prior to the visit, Temer said that the Brazilian government has recently launched a series of private sector investment partnership projects, which offer new opportunities to companies around the world, including China.
"Today, we have in Brazil a structured program based on rational and predictable regulatory frameworks, which contemplates projects for concessions and privatization in various areas linked to infrastructure," the president explained.
"In the energy sector, we expect participation by Chinese capital in the development of hydroelectric, wind and solar power sources, as well as transmission lines. We also want to modernize and expand our rail network, an area in which Chinese companies have renowned competence," he added.
According to the president, investing in Brazil today is investing in a solid economy.
"Brazil has been a reliable supplier of food and other goods to China, and China knows that it can rely on Brazil as a partner in its food security. At the same time, we are committed to diversifying our exports to China, with greater participation of our industrial products," he said.
Another central aspect of bilateral economic relations is investment, which may gain new impetus with implementation of privatization programs launched by the Brazilian government.
"We are also committed to expanding the presence of Chinese companies in Brazil. In this moment when we are getting back to the track of growth, where opportunities are multiplying, we want to benefit from China's excellence in fields such as roads, airports, ports, energy, oil and gas," the president said.
According to Temer, the Brazilian government will organize a business seminar in Beijing on September 2.
"In the business seminar, I will be able to speak to important Chinese business leaders about the renewed Brazilian perspectives," he said.
In the interview, Temer praised the promising results of the two countries' partnership, highlighting the strong trade exchanges and increasing Chinese investment in Brazil over recent years.
He pointed out that the relationship between Brazil and China has greatly contributed to promoting the development of mutual benefits.
Temer noted that since the two countries upgraded bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012, they have been addressing both bilateral issues and main issues on the international agenda.
"It is essential that Brazil and China continue to maintain fluid and ample dialogue at the highest level," he added.
China is Brazil's largest trading partner. According to statistics from China Customs, bilateral trade reached 50 billion U.S. dollars in the first seven months of 2017, which evidences the dynamism of the bilateral relationship.
"China has been a first-rate partner," said Temer, adding that there is still room for more investment from China.
The president said the two economies are strongly interconnected, with Brazil being a safe source of inputs to China, which in turn is a significant source of investment for Brazil's development.
"This virtuous relationship is also seen in scientific and technological cooperation," said Temer, citing the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite project as the most visible manifestation.
"The prospects are very promising. It is in an environment of confidence and optimism that I will arrive in China for my visit," he said.
Regarding the role that China can play in the recovery of the Brazilian economy, Temer explained that his government has put into practice an ambitious agenda of structural reforms, with the objective of regaining confidence that translates into investment, growth and employment.
The Brazilian government recently announced its largest privatization package since the 1990s to bolster investment in order to revive the economy.
"Now we must continue on the path we have already made, a path that necessarily involves attracting more foreign investment," said Temer, "In this context of resumption, we want to continue to count on association with China."
A single purchase
