Herald: What is the current status of business ties between India and Brazil?
ROSIMAR SUZANO: We have Brazilian companies working in India and they are most successful. There was a partnership between Marco Polo and Tata Group, which is successful. Most Indian IT companies have offices in Brazil.
Herald: What does Brazil have to offer to India in the business sector?
SUZANO: Indian investments in Brazil are much higher than Brazilian investments in India. Brazil has much to offer. There are three major sectors – pharmaceuticals, chemicals and IT. When we see our bilateral trade there is much higher Indian exports to Brazil than vice versa, and we would like to balance this. This is a positive moment and India is becoming business friendly, in the long term we are going to see more Brazilian investments in India.
Herald: What kind of imports can India look to get from Brazil?
SUZANO: Some essences that can be used in alternative medicine and also shoes, for which there is a huge market. The great change in the mindset of Brazilian businessmen is that when they come here they are not just looking to sell goods; they are open to any kind of business deal.
Herald: Was there any direct investment opportunity that arose from the BRICS summit in Goa?
SUZANO: Much was discussed. We are talking of different countries, different laws. Last time they spoke of harmonising the laws for the member countries. There is a lot of focus now on intra-BRICS trade. Ever since it started, Brazil’s bilateral trade with each of the BRICS countries increased. But, during the BRICS summit there was a Brazilian IT company that was inaugurated. It is to start bank automatic machines. Talks had been going on for a long time and the plant was to be in Chennai, but they later shifted it to Jaipur.
Herald: Specific to Goa, is there any Goan investment in Brazil, especially in the mining sector?
SUZANO: Not that I know, but the mining sector is of much interest to Indian investors and I know that mining is strong. There was a time when Vale de Rio Doce (Brazilian mining company) was most interested in investing here. There are requests from Indian businessmen on the Brazilian mining industry. The good news is that this sector in Brazil is opening up for foreign investments. Mining, oil is opening up and Indian companies have in the past bought oil fields in Brazil. Indian groups are doing well in the transmission lines (power) sector.
Herald: How strong are the cultural ties between India and Brazil?
SUZANO: Goa is the closest India can get to Brazil. India is very big so, it’s two different countries. It is unique and it becomes a challenge when it comes to business, and so I am so keen on visits. I feel it is important to have meetings between business chambers , to have a base here, to have a local representative.
Herald: With the opening of the Brazil Cultural Centre, there is base in Goa. Is that helping?
SUZANO: I am hoping it will. It was started last March, so we have to be patient. In the cultural field there is a huge scope. There are a lot on young Indian researchers who go to Brazil on scholarships. I came here in 2015 and the year before that, according to our records there were 24 Indian researchers in Brazilian universities. It is not insignificant, it is considerable.
Herald: In what field are these researchers?
SUZANO: Most in science, but recently the Baramati Agricultural Trust in Maharashtra has signed a MoU with the federal university of Minas Gerais and they are now discussing an academic programme at the PhD level in plant genetics. The Indian side is also keen on cattle genetics.
Herald: How big is the Brazilian community in India?
SUZANO: We have just updated out database and in the three States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa we have 212 or 215 Brazilians. But in all of India, it is estimated that there are 500 Brazilians.
Herald: So almost half are in these three States.
SUZANO: Yes, in Karnataka it is business related, and many are women who have married Indian citizens.
