Consul General of Brazil in Shanghai Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura

Editor's Note:

The Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10 as scheduled. Despite the difficulties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, global traders plan to gather at the annual event online and offline to showcase their products and services in fields such as healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) and carbon neutrality, looking to boost their performance in the Chinese market.

The Global Times (GT) interviewed 15 foreign diplomats in Beijing and Shanghai about their engagement and expectations for this year's CIIE. Here is：

Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura
Consul General of Brazil in Shanghai

GT: How does Brazil plan to engage in the CIIE despite facing challenges from COVID-19? 

Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura: Despite the restraints caused by the current pandemic, I am sure that China is organizing a successful 4th CIIE. The exhibition area will comprise of 360,000 square meters, with 3,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries.

Brazil will participate in the upcoming fair with national companies already established in China or through Chinese distributors of Brazilian products. 

This year we have reserved a pavilion of 180 square meters in the food section of CIIE.  At this pavilion, 16 Brazilian companies will be presenting some of the best Brazilian products for the Chinese public, such as animal protein, Brazilian nuts, ciders, dairy products, honey and própolis, juices, organic and healthy food, wine and yerba mate. 

Beyond that, many Brazilian companies will have their own pavilions. Finally, visitors can find more about Brazil on the CIIE website or app. On the online CIIE expo National Exhibition, one can check more detailed information and photos about Brazil.

GT: What are your expectations for the upcoming event?

Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura: I have high expectations. The CIIE is one of the main events in China for the promotion of Brazilian products, especially food and beverages. 

Brazil and China have had a successful relationship over the past decades, especially in trade. China is our main trade partner. The numbers are impressive: in 2001, our flux of commerce was around $1 billion per year; today the flux is around $1 billion every 60 hours. 

In 2020, more than 30 percent of Brazilian exports had China as their destination. And our trade surplus was more than $33 billion, which is good for our balance of payments and helps promote more jobs and growth in Brazil. In 2021, our exports will perform even better, especially in the food sector. Brazil is of the largest food producers and exporters, and China is our main buyer.  

I am sure the CIIE has consolidated itself as one of the most important trade events in Asia. We hope that this year the exhibition will be a milestone for the growth of the world economy.