Apex: visit to Japan aims at increasing business opportunities

President of the Republic Michel Temer landed in Japan on Monday 17 October for an official visit that aims at increasing business and investment opportunities between Brazil and its most traditional trade partner in Asia. According to the president of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), Roberto Jaguaribe, the Asian powerhouse is present in Brazil in a number of different areas and enterprises.

Jaguaribe points out that Japan also has a number of other important ties with Brazil. 'Japan is a key partner in all different dimensions, such as politics, culture, understanding, and last but not least, trade and investment', he said.

Promotion

This is the first official visit by a Brazilian Head of State to Japan in 11 years, and it has two main objectives. The Brazilian government intends to share information on business opportunities with Brazilian companies, as well as promote investment opportunities in Brazil. With that in mind, one of Temer's official engagements is a meeting with Japanese entrepreneurs.

For the president of Apex, there is potential for Japanese businesses to increase their investments in Brazil. '[Japan] has the potential to participate more actively, considering the vigour of the Japanese economy, its relevance and traditional ties with Brazil', he added.

Following along the same line, Jaguaribe believes that Temer's official visit to Japan will increase Brazil's visibility, 'which in turn generates wider interest in and a greater focus on our country'.

Friendly nation

Jaguaribe highlighted the fact that the 'very intense relationship' between the two countries results mainly from the 'immense wealth' brought to Brazil by Japanese immigrants. According to the chairman of Apex, Japanese investments are present in the areas of steel, banking and agriculture, and they have helped drive the agricultural revolution in the cerrado region.

At the same time, a reverse migration movement started in the 80s, when Japanese descendants and other Brazilians went to Japan looking for support and job opportunities. The Brazilian community in Japan is still very significant.