Bulgarian and Brazilian businessmen gathered together in Sofia Wednesday to discuss opportunities for extending partnership between their companies.

The large business forum is organized on the occasion of the visit of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who is in Sofia as part of her European tour.

Rousseff is accompanied by a sizable business delegation, including representatives of top Brazilian companies from the energy, aircraft engineering, and agriculture sectors.

The Brazilian Head of State addressed the forum's participants, saying the two countries must work on reversing the trend of decreasing trade. She also pointed out that Bulgaria is an important manufacturer of fertilizers and could become a preferred partner of Brazil in its effort to increase farming productivity.

Another sector of partnership, pinpointed by Rousseff, was the use of nuclear energy.

"I am certain that Brazilian businessmen now have a much clearer vision about the opportunities offered by the Bulgarian market. I congratulate Bulgaria for its effort to improve its ratings. If we manage to use the good will, which this event presents to us, to move ahead with integration processes, partnership, and contribute to good business practices, I will leave Bulgaria with a deep sense of satisfaction," the Brazilian President said.

Her Bulgarian counterpart, Georgi Parvanov, who also attended the forum, stated to increase trade between Bulgaria and Brazil several times to reach USD 1 B a year was an achievable goal. The current trade is estimated at USD 100 M.

Parvanov pointed out that in order to achieve this goal, the business must research opportunities in the energy sector, nuclear energy, renewable energy resources, agriculture, joint production of food products, adding he hopes Brazilian people will also discover the quality Bulgarian wines, despite the global competition.

There have been several reports about interest on the part of Brazilian companies in aircraft engineering, and a possible partnership with Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer.

This is the first visit ever of a Brazilian head of state to Bulgaria, also marking the 50th year since Bulgaria and Brazil restored their diplomatic relations. Rousseff is in Bulgaria less than a year after she became the first female President of Brazil.

Dilma Rousseff, the daughter of Bulgarian immigrant Petar Rusev (Pedro Rousseff), has been eagerly expected in Bulgaria, all the more so because she has made clear her good feelings towards the home country of her father.

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