By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s President, Jair Bolsonaro wants to take advantage of his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week, to attract foreign investment, especially in the agribusiness.
“We want to show the world that Brazil has taken steps to restore confidence… that we can be a good country for investments, and in particular for agribusiness, our most valued commodities,” Bolsonaro told journalists when he arrived in Switzerland on Monday.
“We want to expand this type of trade. We are here to show that Brazil has changed,” he added on his Twitter account.
The main leaders of Brazil’s agribusiness sector said they expected a ‘positive agenda’ during the Summit.
The Brazilian Association of Soybean Producers (Aprosoja Brasil) said that the Brazilian mission in Davos will demonstrate the country’s willingness to adopt measures necessary for economic growth.
“The businessmen (foreigner) will realize that their resource can come to Brazil because it will bring returns. It (Brazil) lacked credibility, so I believe that the (Bolsonaro’s) speech needs to convey trust,” said Aprosoja Brasil president, Bartolomeu Braz, in an interview to business daily DCI.
Ruralists are also hoping to reinforce the message of respect for the environment and legal security and the emphasis on investment opportunities in Brazil.
“We have an advanced environmental policy, a well-made production with a good environmental and social impact, and we can more than double the production of food in the area currently occupied,” says Marcelo Vieira president of the Brazilian Rural Society (SRB).
For Bolsonaro supporters, the President will put forth a picture of a strong, economically-sound country, with great opportunities for investors.
“President @jairbolsonaro demonstrates his commitment to the economic agenda and his willingness to engage Brazil in the great discussions that will determine the direction of the world in this 21st Century,” wrote Filipe Martins, President Bolsonaro’s special advisor for international affairs, in his social media account.