Brasília - Vice president José Alencar leaves for Moscow today at the head of a mission of 58 business leaders to participate in the II High-Level Brazil-Russia Commission. The objective of the commission is to expand bilateral trade relations.

"There is a lot of Brazil-Russian synergy and we must take advantage of it," said Alencar.

The vice president also said the embargo on Brazilian meat will be discussed during the visit. "Brazil is a huge country. It does not make sense to prohibit the importation of beef when there is a problem in one area. This is disinformation. We are capable of being the world's biggest beef exporter. We have the technology and the natural resources to do that," said Alencar.

After Moscow, Alencar heads to Romenia and Portugal where more Brazilian businessmen will join him. The vice president returns to Brazil on October 20.

Agência Brasil
Reporter:Ana Paula Marra
Translator: Allen Bennett
10/7/2004