Relations between Malta and Brazil Foreign Defence Minister Cleso Luiz Nunes Amorim.

Mr Amorim arrived in Malta this morning for talks with Dr Borg and the Armed Forces.

Mr Amorim was greeted at Malta International Airport by David Agius, parliamentary assistant at the Foreign Ministry.

With Dr Borg, Mr Amorin discussed the strengthening of the political, economic and cultural relations.

Both sides discussed the avoidance of double taxation agreement and the visa waiver issue. The two ministers referred to the latest developments in the Mediterranean region with particular emphasis on North Africa.

Brazil’s growing role in the region has led it to become a regional power in Latin America with the result that it was now a clear leader among developing countries on both the political and economical fronts. 

Minister Amorim thanked Malta for providing support to and collaborating with the Brazilian government at the height of the Libya crisis in March last year, evacuating 3,200 Brazilian company employees from Tripoli.

Last year, Malta imported more than 14 million euro worth of goods from Brazil, while it exported over 7 million euro. Imports are mainly sugar and exports include a considerable amount of electrical machinery.

There are 23 companies with a Brazilian shareholding registered with the Malta Financial Services Authority.