Envoys from SADC countries accredited to Brazil have hailed Tanzania’s decision to re-establish diplomatic ties with this South American Federative Republic, saying that the move was both a step towards the right direction and timely.
They have also committed themselves to assist Tanzania in opening up her embassy here as soon as the necessary arrangements were in place.
“The Brazilian are in the process of expanding relations with Africa and are looking forward to do more for the continent”, Mr Patrick Nandago, the Dean of African Diplomats here who is also the Namibian Ambassador to Brazil, said yesterday
Speaking at a dinner hosted last night by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Mr Nandago said that Brazil was one country that Africa needed to look up as far as international politics were concerned.
Mr Nandago said that it was a blessing to have Tanzania as a diplomatic ally in Brazil, adding that this would further solidify SADC’s common objectives towards the region’s economic and cultural cooperation initiatives.
He said that more African countries have shown interest in forging diplomatic ties with Brazil, explaining that so far six of them were expected to open their embassies in this South American Federative Republic before the end of the year.
His Zimbabwean counterpart, Mr Thomas Bvuma, seconded him and offered whatever assistance Tanzania might need when the process of setting up an embassy here starts.
“The embassy of Zimbabwe opens its doors and extends a warm welcome to Tanzanian officials who will be here to set in motion the opening Tanzania’s embassy here”, said Mr Bvuma.
Their solidarity and that of other African envoys accredited to Brazil was obvious since the arrival of Dr Migiro, as most ambassadors of the 21 countries that have offices here were at the Brasilia International Airport to receive her.
African envoys here appreciate that despite the profile of Brazil in terms of its economic, political and social attributes is as a Third World Country, but its economy, which is highly industrialized when compared to other Third World Countries, qualifies it to be a member of the Developed Nations.
This soccer-crazy Federative Republic is composed of 26 states and one Federal District where Brasilia, the capital of the country, is situated.
Brazil is among the largest economy in the third world. Characterized by large and well-developed agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services, its economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in the world markets.
According to statistics, from 2001-2003 Brazil’s economy grew on average only 2.2% per year, as the country absorbed a series of domestic and international economic shocks.
That Brazil absorbed these shocks without financial collapse is a tribute to the resiliency of the Brazilian economy and the economic program put in place by former President Cardoso and strengthened by the current President Lula Da Silva.
The statistics also show that in 2004 Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded increases in employment and real wages.
The three pillars of the economic program are the floating exchange rates, an inflation-targeting regime, and tight fiscal policy, all reinforced by a series of IMF programs.
However, the currency depreciated sharply in 2001 and 2002, which contributed to a dramatic current account adjustment; in 2003 to 2005.
The country ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains, particularly in agriculture, also contributed to the surge in exports and in 2005.
Brazil surpasses the previous year’s record export level