Prime Minister Freundel Stuart says Barbados wants to deepen its relationship with Brazil.

He made the comments recently when Brazil???s Ambassador, Luiz Seixas De Andrade, paid him a courtesy call at Parliament.

Mr. Stuart told the new envoy: ???The relationship has deepened since GOL Airlines has been plying the Barbados/Brazil route, and we look forward to exploring the ways and means by which we can deepen it further.???

The Prime Minister acknowledged, however, that there were still some matters between the two countries which must be discussed and he highlighted the conclusion of a Double Taxation Agreement as one of them.

Mr. De Andrade added that it would be good to conclude such an agreement, noting that Brazilian companies would be interested in working in the Caribbean.

The Ambassador said he would like trade and investment opportunities encouraged between the two countries and indicated that among his goals was the organisation of a trade mission from Brazil to Barbados. ???I think we need to bring businessmen from Brazil here ??? since there is no better way to do business than bringing people together,??? he stated.

During the meeting, the world recession and its effect on both countries were discussed. Prime Minister Stuart pointed out that Barbados had put a 19-month fiscal consolidation programme in place to see it through this difficult period, and expressed the conviction that light would be seen at the end of it.

Ambassador De Andrade added that Brazil, too, had been experiencing some economic difficulties.??The Prime Minister also wished Brazil well in its hosting of the Football World Cup.

sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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