OREANDA-NEWS. July 18, 2011. Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, met Michel Temer, Vice President of Brazil, and proposed him to open Brazil’s embassy in Riga. The Latvian Prime Minister also expressed readiness to open Latvia’s embassy in Brazil. After the meeting the officials were introduced to a product of the new Brazil-based plant of SAF Tehnika – wireless data transmission radio (CFIP Lumina); its production has been launched in Brazilian city Curitiba.

During their meeting Valdis Dombrovskis urged the Brazilian Vice President to open an embassy in Riga, and submitted to the Brazilian side the agreement on avoidance of double taxation. The Head of Latvia`s government emphasized: „Latvia sees potential for closer economic and political cooperation with Brazil. This is also proved by interest of companies shown during the Latvian-Brazilian Business Forum. Considerable support would be provided by opening of the embassy, agreement on avoidance of double taxation and establishment of a visa-free regime”. Michel Temer agreed that this is a suitable moment for the opening of the embassy and said that the Brazilian side would consider this proposal. He informed that the visa-free regime needs to be ratified by the Brazilian Parliament and that on this matter a positive vote can be expected.

Normunds Bergs, Board Direct of Latvia`s company SAF Tehnika, presented to Vice President of Brazil and Prime Minister of Latvia the product of company’s new plant which ensures a broadband Internet connection speed of up to 400mbps. This is a unique product in all Latin America, and it will be used both for broadband Internet connections and for data transmission services during the Summer Olympic Games. The Latvian Prime Minister said: „This is an excellent example of cooperation between Latvian and Brazilian companies fostering transfer of high technologies and proving international competitiveness of Latvia`s IT sector.”

In Brasilia Valdis Dombrovskis also met a number of other Brazilian officials. One of the most important meetings was held with Fernando Pimentel, Foreign Trade Minister of Brazil. During this meeting the Minister stressed that Brazil is interested in supporting high-tech transfer projects similar to that of SAF Tehnika. He proposed to organise a seminar for Brazilian entrepreneurs in Riga. During the meeting with Leonidas Cristiano, Minister for Ports of Brazil, the sides discussed advantages of the Latvian free ports and opportunities for their engagement in exporting Brazilian goods to the markets of Russia and CIS countries.