Economic relations between Germany and Brazil will now be strengthened by the newly established honorary consulate in Düsseldorf (http://www.brasil-honorarkonsulat.de/). We therefore welcome Max Krieger, the new consul, in our office building!

Amongst Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brazil as one of the biggest emerging markets is an important strategic partner for Germany. Still, Brazilian economy struggles with the prejudice of corruption and has to improve its image to attract German business to “go Brazil” – where German technology and knowledge is very welcomed.

The absence of effective bilateral agreements complicates the economic relationships. The double taxation treaty of Germany and Brazil (as of 1975) was cancelled in 2005 because the German Federal Ministry of Finance did not see sufficient interest and cooperation from the Brazilian side as to renegotiate the treaty.

German export to Brazil easily exceeds the sum of German exports to Greece, Ireland and Portugal. Still, but politics rather spend energy on recovery of last-mentioned than to build up new bridges and to negotiate free trade agreements and double taxation treaties with the upcoming markets in Brazil.

Hopefully, the new consulate in Düsseldorf, state capital and important business location of North Rhine-Westphalia, will help to improve the situation!