The visit of Foreign Minister to Brazil 16 - 18 August 2012

                   Between 16 - 18 August 2012, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul paid an official visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil. The visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and seeking further cooperation between two countries.

                   On 17 August 2012, Mr. Surapong met Mr. Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Minister of External Relations of Brazil, and had a discussion covering political and economical issues. Both agreed to develop the relations between Thailand and Brazil into a strategic partnership and to promote trade and investment as well as to explore  cooperation on renewable energy, sport, education, and trilateral technical cooperation in third countries. Foreign Minister Surapong highlighted the economic role of Thailand as gateway to ASEAN and East Asia, as well as exchanged views on regional situations. Meanwhile, Brazilian Foreign Minister Patriota encouraged Thai businesses to invest in Brazil as it will host the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. In addition, Both Ministers took this opportunity to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations and the Memorandum of Understanding on Trilateral Technical Cooperation.

                   While visiting Brazil, the Foreign Minister met with Thai and Brazilian entrepreneurs in Sao Paulo, the business and financial hub. The meeting was to exchange views on how to increase the trade volume which Brazil mainly imported auto and auto parts, auto tires, and seafood products. In addition, Foreign Minister Surapong had a meeting with Ms. Monika Bergamaschi, Secretary of Sao Paulo Agriculture, to learn the experiences of bio-ethanol development and to seek cooperation and technical exchange on renewable energy between Thailand and Sao Paulo.