Rousseff advocates opening Brazil's economy to other countries
Presidents Dilma Rousseff and Juan Manuel Santos 
President Dilma Rousseff advocated opening Brazil's economies to other countries during her official visit to Bogotá, Colombia, on Friday (Oct. 9). Speaking to an audience of business leaders from both countries at the closing session of the Brazil-Colombia Business Seminar, she said that the two economies have common challenges including regaining fiscal control.
Rousseff made a state visit to the neighboring country, where she talked about Brazil's infrastructure and energy projects under concession agreements with private contractors. She said the meeting marked the “beginning of a new path” in bilateral trade relations. Earlier, as she signed bilateral deals, the president had admitted that the relations between the two countries were still too short of fulfilling its potential.
“Brazil will encourage, and has great interested in, having Brazilian companies come to Colombia. Doing all we can to support that is very important. We are even considering industrial synergies with keen interest. Brazil's economy is still rather closed. We're now trying to find ways to open our economy to the rest of the world,” she said.
According to the president, the global crisis, China's economic slowdown, and the end of the commodity super cycle are all “very painful” and Brazil should draw from the current downturn the drive to pursue “more robust, resilient, and long-run-focused growth.”
Commenting on a speech by Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos, Rousseff referred to his remark about the “need for fiscal stability, low inflation and social inclusion by reducing inequality and increasing opportunities for the people of our countries” as “inspiring”.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Rousseff advocates opening Brazil's economy to other countries
