Gilberto Ramos,
President of the Brazilian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gave an interview to “Eurasian Dialogue”
President of the Brazilian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gave an interview to “Eurasian Dialogue”
– Mr. Ramos, as President of the Brazilian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, how would you define its goals and objectives? What plans are in place to develop bilateral economic ties?
– To start with, our organisation was founded in 1982, back in the days it was called the Brazilian-Soviet Chamber. We have inherited the legacy left behind by previous remarkably visionary boards. Today, with the support of our Supreme Council and Board of Directors, as well as the Foreign Ministries of Brazil and Russia, our Board has once again secured a four- year mandate for 2025–2028.
We are a non-profit organisation established to foster bilateral cooperation between our countries in key areas, including trade, economy, investment, and culture. For this end, we are interacting with the governments and sectoral structures of both countries, in the interests of our members, leadership, and partners. What’s more, last November, at the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro we got acquainted with our dear friend and partner Dmitry Stasyulis, President of the International Organisation for Eurasian Cooperation (IOEC), and signed a partnership agreement with the Organisation.
We have already started drafting plans for business events in the first half of 2025—under Brazil’s rotating Presidency in BRICS—to develop bilateral trade, economic ties, and in-vestments. The main events will once again take place in Rio de Janeiro: on July 6 and 7, the Gustavo Capanema Palace will host BRICS leaders’ summit, and in late June, we’ll have the BRICS Business Council and Forum meetings. The business events will also include a bilateral Russian-Brazilian forum, perhaps attended by Eurasian companies, aimed at advancing investment partnerships.
While Russia-Brazil bilateral trade expanded to a record USD 12.4 billion last year, we believe that bilateral investment is still inadequate, given that both countries still primarily trade in commodities. Brazil, for instance, im-ports diesel fuel and fertilizers, and Russia imports agricultural products, particularly consumer goods. So, banks and investment funds in both countries should take a more proactive role in expanding the presence of Russian and Brazilian companies in their respective markets.
– To start with, our organisation was founded in 1982, back in the days it was called the Brazilian-Soviet Chamber. We have inherited the legacy left behind by previous remarkably visionary boards. Today, with the support of our Supreme Council and Board of Directors, as well as the Foreign Ministries of Brazil and Russia, our Board has once again secured a four- year mandate for 2025–2028.
We are a non-profit organisation established to foster bilateral cooperation between our countries in key areas, including trade, economy, investment, and culture. For this end, we are interacting with the governments and sectoral structures of both countries, in the interests of our members, leadership, and partners. What’s more, last November, at the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro we got acquainted with our dear friend and partner Dmitry Stasyulis, President of the International Organisation for Eurasian Cooperation (IOEC), and signed a partnership agreement with the Organisation.
We have already started drafting plans for business events in the first half of 2025—under Brazil’s rotating Presidency in BRICS—to develop bilateral trade, economic ties, and in-vestments. The main events will once again take place in Rio de Janeiro: on July 6 and 7, the Gustavo Capanema Palace will host BRICS leaders’ summit, and in late June, we’ll have the BRICS Business Council and Forum meetings. The business events will also include a bilateral Russian-Brazilian forum, perhaps attended by Eurasian companies, aimed at advancing investment partnerships.
While Russia-Brazil bilateral trade expanded to a record USD 12.4 billion last year, we believe that bilateral investment is still inadequate, given that both countries still primarily trade in commodities. Brazil, for instance, im-ports diesel fuel and fertilizers, and Russia imports agricultural products, particularly consumer goods. So, banks and investment funds in both countries should take a more proactive role in expanding the presence of Russian and Brazilian companies in their respective markets.
– What about Brazil’s trade, economic, and investment opportunities? What makes the country attractive to foreign enterprises and investors? What can Brazilian partners offer Russian businesses?
– From the very beginning of my trade activities with Russia, when I visited St. Petersburg—then Leningrad—in 1988, I realized how complementary our economies are, and it’s still the case today. In the 1990s, I was involved in supporting the functional cooperation framework, ensuring the supply of a wide range of agricultural products and by-products to Brazil, such as coffee, chocolate, footwear and fertilizers. I recall a Lada dealership center in Brazil, selling cars, spare parts, and providing repair ser-vices. Unfortunately, it closed down in the late 1990s. It is worth noting that in the industrial sector, Brazil does not compete with Russia.
On the contrary, we see vast opportunities for cooperation emerging in numerous areas—railway transport and infrastructure (producing wagons, rails, locomotives, and spare parts in Brazil, and signing concession agreements for railway trans-port facilities); aviation (the Brazilian government has put two airports up for auction); shipbuilding; the fishing industry; civil construction; the pharmaceutical industry; innovative technologies and the IoT; the production of lighting equipment and security and protection systems; the mining industry (including REEs); the entertainment sector (tourism is rapidly developing); all segments of the real estate market; the oil and gas industry and refining; renewable energy.
Several months ago, amidst the growth in trade operations involving agricultural products, diesel fuel, and fertilizers, the company “EuroChem,” which owns two leading enterprises in Brazil, inaugurated a major plant. The opening ceremony was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. If strategic planning for the industries in the trade balance is carried out by experts from our countries well in advance, these industries will expand as well.
– And what expertise have you gained in implementing the most successful projects? What achievements are you particularly proud of?
– Over the past years, we’ve conducted more than a hundred business missions. We’ve also helped our governments in organising events with-in the visits of high-ranking officials, particularly President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Vice President Marco Maciel (our representatives were part of the business delegation accompanying him to the first meeting of the High-Level Russian-Brazilian Commission in Moscow), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President Dilma Rousseff, and Vice President Michel Temer. We also helped arrange meetings between President Vladimir Putin and former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and local entrepreneurs.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we organised several meetings of the Russian-Brazilian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and a number of visits by ministers and officials from both countries. We have conducted numerous multisector business missions at various events, including the SPIEF, and have assisted the government and Russian businesses in concluding offset deals in sensitive economic sectors and within the framework of defense exhibitions, such as LAAD. In fact, it would take ages to list all the events that we’ve organized or in which Russian and Brazilian companies have taken part thanks to our support.
If I were to select the achievements “we’re particularly proud of,” I’d most likely name the first string of projects between Vnesheconombank and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development of Brazil (NBESD). At that time, we were instructed by the Brazilian bank, then led by Carlos Lessa and Darko Costa (2004–2005), to develop the first string of 23 projects across different areas, five of which were subsequently developed and generated significant revenues for the businesses in-volved.
– What, to your mind, is lacking for the development of Russian-Brazilian business cooperation at a faster pace? What should be done to take this cooperation to the next level?
– Earlier, I’ve already pointed out several areas, but I could also advise Russian and Eurasian businesses rep-resenting various industries to establish representation offices in Brazil with their own legal framework. This is particularly relevant for some major Russian banks and a number of enterprises that are still suffocating under European and American sanctions. I believe that no drastic changes are to be expected in the near future, but it’s worth noting that Brazil has always been and is a friendly country towards Russia, we’ve never imposed any sanctions, and our trade turnover has been breaking records in recent years.
At our disposal, we have top-tier specialists—financial experts, broad-profile lawyers (including experts in expatriate issues), and communication and marketing companies that focus on Russia-Eurasia relations and the structural organisation of companies in Brazil. To keep it simple, in the rapidly evolving global landscape, it’s crucial to get recommendations on structuring market research programmes, while closely interacting with Russian, Brazilian, Eurasian organisations, banks, development funds, and BRICS institutions. We must be prepared— and we are!
– From the very beginning of my trade activities with Russia, when I visited St. Petersburg—then Leningrad—in 1988, I realized how complementary our economies are, and it’s still the case today. In the 1990s, I was involved in supporting the functional cooperation framework, ensuring the supply of a wide range of agricultural products and by-products to Brazil, such as coffee, chocolate, footwear and fertilizers. I recall a Lada dealership center in Brazil, selling cars, spare parts, and providing repair ser-vices. Unfortunately, it closed down in the late 1990s. It is worth noting that in the industrial sector, Brazil does not compete with Russia.
On the contrary, we see vast opportunities for cooperation emerging in numerous areas—railway transport and infrastructure (producing wagons, rails, locomotives, and spare parts in Brazil, and signing concession agreements for railway trans-port facilities); aviation (the Brazilian government has put two airports up for auction); shipbuilding; the fishing industry; civil construction; the pharmaceutical industry; innovative technologies and the IoT; the production of lighting equipment and security and protection systems; the mining industry (including REEs); the entertainment sector (tourism is rapidly developing); all segments of the real estate market; the oil and gas industry and refining; renewable energy.
Several months ago, amidst the growth in trade operations involving agricultural products, diesel fuel, and fertilizers, the company “EuroChem,” which owns two leading enterprises in Brazil, inaugurated a major plant. The opening ceremony was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. If strategic planning for the industries in the trade balance is carried out by experts from our countries well in advance, these industries will expand as well.
– And what expertise have you gained in implementing the most successful projects? What achievements are you particularly proud of?
– Over the past years, we’ve conducted more than a hundred business missions. We’ve also helped our governments in organising events with-in the visits of high-ranking officials, particularly President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Vice President Marco Maciel (our representatives were part of the business delegation accompanying him to the first meeting of the High-Level Russian-Brazilian Commission in Moscow), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President Dilma Rousseff, and Vice President Michel Temer. We also helped arrange meetings between President Vladimir Putin and former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and local entrepreneurs.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we organised several meetings of the Russian-Brazilian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and a number of visits by ministers and officials from both countries. We have conducted numerous multisector business missions at various events, including the SPIEF, and have assisted the government and Russian businesses in concluding offset deals in sensitive economic sectors and within the framework of defense exhibitions, such as LAAD. In fact, it would take ages to list all the events that we’ve organized or in which Russian and Brazilian companies have taken part thanks to our support.
If I were to select the achievements “we’re particularly proud of,” I’d most likely name the first string of projects between Vnesheconombank and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development of Brazil (NBESD). At that time, we were instructed by the Brazilian bank, then led by Carlos Lessa and Darko Costa (2004–2005), to develop the first string of 23 projects across different areas, five of which were subsequently developed and generated significant revenues for the businesses in-volved.
– What, to your mind, is lacking for the development of Russian-Brazilian business cooperation at a faster pace? What should be done to take this cooperation to the next level?
– Earlier, I’ve already pointed out several areas, but I could also advise Russian and Eurasian businesses rep-resenting various industries to establish representation offices in Brazil with their own legal framework. This is particularly relevant for some major Russian banks and a number of enterprises that are still suffocating under European and American sanctions. I believe that no drastic changes are to be expected in the near future, but it’s worth noting that Brazil has always been and is a friendly country towards Russia, we’ve never imposed any sanctions, and our trade turnover has been breaking records in recent years.
At our disposal, we have top-tier specialists—financial experts, broad-profile lawyers (including experts in expatriate issues), and communication and marketing companies that focus on Russia-Eurasia relations and the structural organisation of companies in Brazil. To keep it simple, in the rapidly evolving global landscape, it’s crucial to get recommendations on structuring market research programmes, while closely interacting with Russian, Brazilian, Eurasian organisations, banks, development funds, and BRICS institutions. We must be prepared— and we are!
– At the upcoming general meeting of the participants of the World Forum “New Era—New Ways,” which will take place in Moscow on August 20–21, 2025, special attention will be given to the business dialogue be-tween Russia and Latin America. Do you plan to participate in the Forum?
– Definitely! It was a great honour to receive an invitation from Dmitry Stasyulis, and I gladly accepted it.
– In 2023, Russia and Brazil marked the 195th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which have become increasingly multifaceted in recent years. What, in your view, unites and brings our nations and peoples closer together? How does Brazilian society view the development of bilateral relations with Russia?
– There’s a saying which goes “Brazilians are tropical Russians, and Russians are Brazilians from the north.” These commonplace peoples are natural fighters, predominantly Christians (Orthodox and Catholics), yet they peacefully coexist with a multitude of religions and beliefs.
The people of Brazil and Russia are fond of music, art, sports, tasty food, and fine drinks. They are kind-hearted, hospitable, and smart. What I mean is, despite the geographical distance, Brazil and Russia share a “kinship of souls.” The only thing missing is for “Aeroflot” to finally resume flights to Brazil! Take, for instance, the famous fictional character Ostap Bender, whose “cherished dream of youth” was to visit Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro.
No doubt many Russians got inspired. Indeed, many now live in the diaspora, which has significantly grown over the past two years, particularly in Santa Catarina and Rio de Janeiro itself. The Brazilian people are really hospitable to Russians citizens and those from Eurasian countries, who come to this splendid region, rich in traditions, culture, history, and economic power. We’ll do all it takes to fulfill the dreams of those who, like Bender, yearn to visit Brazil.
And today we’re more ready than ever.
– Definitely! It was a great honour to receive an invitation from Dmitry Stasyulis, and I gladly accepted it.
– In 2023, Russia and Brazil marked the 195th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which have become increasingly multifaceted in recent years. What, in your view, unites and brings our nations and peoples closer together? How does Brazilian society view the development of bilateral relations with Russia?
– There’s a saying which goes “Brazilians are tropical Russians, and Russians are Brazilians from the north.” These commonplace peoples are natural fighters, predominantly Christians (Orthodox and Catholics), yet they peacefully coexist with a multitude of religions and beliefs.
The people of Brazil and Russia are fond of music, art, sports, tasty food, and fine drinks. They are kind-hearted, hospitable, and smart. What I mean is, despite the geographical distance, Brazil and Russia share a “kinship of souls.” The only thing missing is for “Aeroflot” to finally resume flights to Brazil! Take, for instance, the famous fictional character Ostap Bender, whose “cherished dream of youth” was to visit Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro.
No doubt many Russians got inspired. Indeed, many now live in the diaspora, which has significantly grown over the past two years, particularly in Santa Catarina and Rio de Janeiro itself. The Brazilian people are really hospitable to Russians citizens and those from Eurasian countries, who come to this splendid region, rich in traditions, culture, history, and economic power. We’ll do all it takes to fulfill the dreams of those who, like Bender, yearn to visit Brazil.
And today we’re more ready than ever.