Triple relations between Brazil and African countries

In eight years, Brazil and Africa grew closer. Were intensified political, economic, trade and humanitarian aid, in addition to cooperation in agriculture, health and education. Bilateral trade jumped from $ 6 billion in 2002 to U.S. $ 19 billion in 2009. The same occurred with the number of African embassies in Brazil, in the same period increased from 18 to 30.

Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Piragibe Terrage told the Agency that the affinities between Brazil and African Brazilians facilitate the exchange. "We have a cultural identity that is obvious through the food, music and arts in general," he said. "Allied to this, the opening that there was going to feel for the Africans that the door is and will remain open."

The demonstration that relations will be expanded is that this year, the first prospects indicate that the trade balance between Brazil and African countries will surpass the 2009 data. The trend is that the numbers are close to 2008 - the apex of the trade: U.S. $ 26 billion.

In parallel, there are wider partnerships in specific areas. In agriculture, Brazil provides technology and expertise to transform subsistence farming into income, and encourage family farming and crops for export.

In Mozambique, the development project includes research on the Serengeti. In Chad, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso runs a program to stimulate the production of cotton for export.

In health, the focus is on preventing and combating AIDS. The HIV infection is spread primarily by South Africa - Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Gabon and Congo. The treatment and drugs run the program in Brazil are exported to these countries.

In Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Nigeria supported by the Ministry of Health is to treat sickle cell anemia. It mostly affects a particular ethnic group living in these regions. Anemia is caused by malformation of white blood cells reducing life expectancy.

In education, the main partnerships are focused on the Portuguese-speaking countries, such as the Open University and the Vocational Training Centre in Mozambique. There is a constant flow of African students studying in Brazil and the Rio Branco Institute, the Foreign Ministry that school prepares future diplomats. (Source: Agência Brazil)

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