A GOOD BYE LETTER BY Ambassador Fernando de Mello Barreto
After 45 months as Ambassador of Brazil to Australia, sadly it is time to say goodbye to the members of the ABCC.
Ever since my arrival, I have been leading the Embassy in promoting bilateral trade, investment, divulging Brazilian culture and attempting to establish a cooperation in science and technology between the two countries.
During this period, a number of important economic developments occurred: the Australian airline Virgin Blue has acquired 20 Embraer aircraft, and the Brazilian companies Vale and JBS made investments in Australia. This was followed by the increase in visitors between the two countries which led Qantas to establish direct flights to South America, certainly having in mind the Brazilian market.
The Brazilian Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, made an official visit to Australia in August 2008, and proposed the preparation of a Action Plan for an enhanced partnership between the two countries. Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, returned the visit one year later and continued the dialogue for that purpose.
In 2008 and 2009 the relationship strengthened continuously between businesses, individuals and various entities. The number of Brazilian students in Australia and Australians to Brazil continued to grow rapidly. In 2010, the Trade Minister, Simon Crean, visited Brazil, when he signed the amendment to the Air Services Agreement to further facilitate such interchange.
I hope I have contributed to the intensification of trade, mutual investment and tourist and cultural exchanges with the many lectures that I gave in several Australian cities. In more than 40 of such presentations, I was able to maintain frequent contact with the business community and academics from Australia, as well as the Brazilian community, especially in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Several of such presentations were made under the auspices of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce, thanks to the good work and dedication of its President, Cristina Talacko.
Another initiative that I believe has contributed to increase the bilateral relationship was the establishment of honorary consulates in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. Given the geographic distances between Australian cities and the dispersal of the Brazilian community as well as the strong decentralization that characterizes the Australian federation, the support of honorary consulates proved essential to the work of the Embassy.
The completion of the exhibition in Canberra entitled "Connections Australia, Brazil” provided an opportunity for cultural dissemination and also opened up prospects for cooperation in science and technology. Another positive development was achieved when the Embassy and the University of Queensland agreed on the creation of the first and only Portuguese lectorate in this country.
I continue to believe that there is potential for increased exchanges, economic, cultural and scientific and technological cooperation between both countries. Thanks to better communications and transport, there is potential to strengthen a bilateral partnership in many areas of mutual interest. The role of ABCC for that purpose is crucial.
Fernando Mello Barreto, Ambassador
