MFA Press Statement: Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam to the Federative Republic of Brazil: Meetings in Brasilia, 5 April 2013

[Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Minister Shanmugam met with the host of his visit Brazilian Minister of External Relations Antonio Patriota in Brasilia on 5 April 2013.  Both Ministers reaffirmed the warm friendship and growing relations between Brazil and Singapore, and welcomed the establishment of Singapore's Embassy in Brasilia.  They jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs to strengthen bilateral cooperation and dialogue.  Minister Patriota later hosted Minister Shanmugam to lunch, where they had a fruitful exchange of views on developments in Latin America and Asia.  Minister Shanmugam concluded their substantive and convivial meeting by reiterating his standing invitation for Minister Patriota to visit Singapore. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam also met Minister of Development, Industry and Trade Fernando Pimentel.  Both Ministers noted the robust partnership between Singapore and Brazil, and the potential for both countries to leverage complementarities in their respective economies to elevate cooperation to the next level.  The establishment of Singapore’s Embassy in Brasilia, the first in Latin America, is a crucial step in this process.  They noted the importance of Brazil’s eventual removal of Singapore from its list of low-tax jurisdictions in facilitating unhindered investment by companies from both countries.  Minister Shanmugam also encouraged Minister Pimentel to look to Singapore as a prime hub from which Brazil could explore opportunities in the promising Asia-Pacific market.  Minister Shanmugam invited Minister Pimentel to visit Singapore, which could be tied to the 10th Latin Asia Business Forum in Singapore in October 2013.

In the afternoon, Minister Shanmugam met with Head of the Civil Cabinet Minister Gleisi Hoffman.  Both sides reaffirmed the positive state of bilateral relations.  Minister Shanmugam emphasised the vast opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in the area of infrastructural and urban development, where Singapore could share its experiences and expertise ahead of Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.  Minister Shanmugam also met President of the Federal Supreme Court Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa, with whom he exchanged experiences in their respective judicial systems, and raised the possibility of Chief Justice Barbosa visiting Singapore at the invitation of Singapore’s Chief Justice.

In the evening, Minister Shanmugam officially opened Singapore's Embassy in Brasilia.  The Opening Ceremony was attended by officials from the Brazilian government, including Governor of the Federal District of Brasilia Agnelo Queiroz; top business leaders, as well as key opinion shapers in Brazil, including members of the media and academic institutions. 

Minister Shanmugam will depart Brazil tomorrow.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

6 APRIL 2013