Rio, 4/6/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Brazil's ambassador in France, Sérgio Amaral, made a speech at the Rio de Janeiro Industrial Federation on Monday on bilateral economic relations.

According to Amaral, relations are excellent, converging in a number of areas, such as politics, the commitment to multilateralism and shared visions of crises areas such as Iraq and Haiti. As for economic relations, the situation is characterized by great opportunities, increased trade and, above all, chances for business partnerships, declared the Ambassadoe.

Amaral said that the country needs to support Brazilian businesses in France. He pointed out that there are chambers of commerce in Rio and São Paulo, but none in France. Pointing out that 2005 is a Brazil cultural year in France, he called for something to be done about business representation in that country.

Amaral explained that the Brazilian embassy in Paris has stimulated the establishment of a Brazil/ France Association with the idea of it eventually becoming a chamber of commerce. (Translator: Allen Bennett)