WASHINGTON: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce-affiliated Brazil-U.S. Business Council, along with U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant, this week led a three-day business delegation to Brasilia, Brazil, the organization’s first trip to the country during Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s new administration. Brazil Council Executive Director Cassia Carvalho and Caterpillar Brazil President Odair Renosto headed the delegation to present BUSBC’s policy agenda to administration officials and advocate on behalf of the U.S. private sector in Brazil.
“As we look to the future of the U.S.-Brazil relationship, it’s clear that together, we can achieve much more in terms of trade and investment and reach our full potential as partners,” Brilliant said. “Our role in the private sector is to forge a trade policy agenda that leverages the mutual benefits of this relationship to the greatest effect.”
While in Brazil, business executives representing U.S. companies from the health care, IT, consumer goods, agriculture, and energy sectors, among others, met with Brazilian government leaders to discuss the Council’s key priorities, including the initiation of formal negotiations towards a potential U.S.-Brazil trade agreement and a bilateral tax treaty (BTT) and the elimination of visa requirements for tourists and business travelers.
“The U.S. business community is committed to strengthening the U.S.-Brazil relationship and contributing to a positive agenda that benefits both countries,” Brilliant added. “We are optimistic about this relationship and hope to work together to achieve its full potential.”
The Brazil-U.S. Business Council, founded in 1976, is the oldest and largest U.S.-Brazil bilateral trade sector group. The U.S. section of the council represents more than 115 of the largest U.S. investors in Brazil and operates under the administrative aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
International trade and investment are key components of the Chamber’s 2015 American Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity Agenda, an ambitious plan to help revitalize the American economy, create jobs, spur growth, and lift incomes.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.
