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Roberto de Lira
03/07/2024 09:08 am • Updated 31 minutes ago
Mercosur signs first agreement with Asia: Singapore is among the five countries that import Brazilian protein
FPA wants to accelerate the ratification of the agreement in Congress to open exports
Keeping an eye on the power of Brazilian agriculture, the Head of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires of the Singapore Embassy, Desmond NG participated, this Tuesday (5), in the lunch meeting of the Parliamentary Agricultural Front (FPA) to talk about the need to ensure agility in the analysis of the ratification of the Agreement between Mercosur and Singapore, signed on 12/08/2023, at the Mercosur Summit held in Rio de Janeiro.
The Asian country produces less than 10% of the food they consume and has little arable land. Desmond NG highlighted that it is Mercosur's first free trade agreement with an Asian country in more than 10 years. “This integration strengthens economic ties between Brazil, Mercosur and Asia, creating opportunities for greater diversification of exports and investments,” he said during the meeting.
Pedro Lupion (PP-PR), president of FPA, highlighted that entering the Singapore market is strategic for Brazil. “The bench is committed to accelerating the ratification of the agreement in the National Congress so that Brazilian agriculture is one of the first to open up opportunities in the Asian market.”
For the agreement to be valid, ratification can be approved bilaterally, that is, the parliaments of Brazil and Singapore can ratify, without depending on the other countries in the bloc. “I would like to strongly encourage the FPA to support ratification and ensure that the agreement can come into force later this year.”
The agreement must undergo a sworn translation at this time and should reach the Brazilian National Congress in the second half of this year.
Singapore, Brazil and Mercosur
The Mercosur and Singapore Agreement boosts economic development, reduces tariffs, encourages investment, promotes entrepreneurship and facilitates sustainable development.
Check out the five main points of the relationship between Singapore, Brazil and Mercosur:
- Increased trade: eliminate trade barriers, offer preferential rates and provide clarity for investors;
- Customs simplification: Import of 25% of products and guarantee of fair conditions for government contracts;
- Support for small and medium-sized companies: promoting an environment conducive to economic growth;
- Facilitation of digital trade: Strengthen the digital economy and online agreements, with an emphasis on e-commerce, electronic authentication and reducing the use of paper;
- Promoting the digital economy: exploring opportunities in the digital economy, ensuring clear market conditions.
Infrastructure
Former president of the FPA, deputy Alceu Moreira (MDB-RS) emphasized that Singapore represents a strategic gateway to the Asian market for Brazilian agribusiness. The parliamentarian recalled that the agreement allows Brazil to participate in important trade blocs with a focus on expanding markets and businesses.
“We need to make it possible for this opportunity to reach small producers as well. For this, we mainly need a strategy for storing production to redistribute it to other countries.”
The representative of the Singapore Embassy assured that the country has the necessary structure to assist Brazilian companies interested in exporting, highlighting the storage and distribution capacity, including shared. He also mentioned that the country has a shared storage plant the size of ten football fields.
Source: https://www.noticiasagricolas.com.br/noticias/agronegocio/371624-mercosul-assina- Primeiro-acordo-com-asia-singapura-esta-entre-os-cinco-paises-importadores-de-proteina- brazilian.html