Thursday, February 2, 2012

Brazilian lobbyist said meeting with Lorenzino 'was very positive'

Economy Minister Hernán Lorenzino will meet today with the head of the Sao Paulo Industrial Federation, Paulo Skaf in order to discuss the government’s new import restrictions that went into effect since yesterday.

Before meeting Lorenzino, Skaf had scheduled a meeting at the Brazilian embassy with businessmen of the neighboring country. Thus, representatives of some of the most important companies investing in Argentina such as Petrobrás, Vale, Gerdau, Itaú, Banco do Brasil, GM, Ode-brecht, Andrade Gutiérrez, Camargo Correa, and JBS were present to express Skaf their concerns over the new legislation.

In conversations with Brazilian reporters, Skaf first intended to soften the relationship with Argentina by saying “It [Argentina] is a very important trade partner, and we wish to find some friendly solutions to these matters as both nations have lots of common interests.”  

“Anyway, no one can accept these kind of restrictions as they harm both countries. We should avoid by all means Mercosur bloc members to take unilateral decisions that affect us all,” he added. However, after meeting with Lorenzino, Skaf considered the two-hour meeting was "positive."

According to Brazilian official sources, Secretary of International Trade Tatiana Prazeres is scheduled to travel to Argentina next Monday to discuss with local representatives the new import restrictions.