Brasília - President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's third trip to Africa was a chance for the world to see him as a leader of developing countries in the effort to increase commerce with that continent. According to the director of the Africa Department at the Foreign Ministry, Pedro Mota Coelho, the trip showed Lula as someone who defends African countries and developing nations in general.

Mota Coelho points out that Brazil-Africa trade has increased strongly, rising over 20% to US$6.5 billion just in the last two years. The main trade partners are Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Algeria.

Brazil has also become a source of assistance in helping African nations fight diseases, such as malaria and AIDS. "We have cooperation agreements in healthcare with many nations there," says Mota Coelho.

In education, Brazil is offering scholarships for poor students from Africa."We have over a thousand students from Cabo Verde in Brazilian universities," reports Mota Coelho.

Finally, in the area of agriculture, with similar types of soil and climate, Brazil is able to offer African nations technology that fits their needs.

"Within the context of South-South cooperation, Brazil offers solidarity to our brothers in Africa. President Lula considers this cooperation part of the government's social agenda. That agenda is the same at home and abroad - reduce hunger and misery, wherever it exists," concluded Mota Coelho.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Nelson Motta
Translator: Allen Bennett
08/03/2004