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By Okorie Uguru
The Federation of Industries (FIRJAN), Brazil, an association of Brazilian businessmen and women based in Rio de Janeiro has called for greater cultural ties between Brazil and Nigeria. The call was made during a presentation at the International Business and EXPO 2024 in Lagos organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), by the Director Mr. Mauro Varejão during the discussion segment focused on Brazil. M Varejao said strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria through FIRJAN will help in advancing business relationships between the two countries which have been growing over the last five years, particularly in the oil sector, agribusiness, and import/export activities, and also in the area of tourism and culture. He also discussed the potential for collaboration in the construction industry and stressed the importance of a Nigeria-Brazil partnership to develop more industries in Nigeria with Brazil’s support.
In a remark, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, President of LCCI, said the deepening of the economic relationship between Brazil and Nigeria was long overdue, adding that the chamber had been in communication with the Brazilian government through the embassy to facilitate contacts with Brazilian industries. This means the visit of FIRJAN is timely.
Mr. Ajoyemi Osunleye of African Pride Company, Brazil, who also spoke at the event, said that for the upcoming G20 summit in November, the African Pride Company, Brazil, plans to partner with FIRJAN to host a side event to welcome Nigeria’s President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, LCCI representatives, and other industrialists and entrepreneurs from Nigeria. He emphasized that the cultural similarities between Nigeria and Brazil will play a crucial role in fostering a new era of economic growth.
During the discussion, it was also highlighted that while a full cargo ship from Brazil to Nigeria takes 15 days, a ship from China to Nigeria takes 32 days, meaning a cargo ship from Brazil could make a round trip to Nigeria before one from China even arrives, underscoring the potential benefits of enhancing the Nigeria-Brazil trade relationship.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Consul General of Brazil in Lagos, Ambassador Miguel Franco, representatives from various foreign embassies in Nigeria, and captains of industry were among the participants at the event.
