Southeast Asian Ambassadors Visit Belém to Strengthen Bilateral Relations with the State
The meeting aims to strengthen bilateral relations and explore future opportunities through a Technical Cooperation Agreement in the areas of sustainable development, green economy, tourism, and trade exchange.
A delegation of diplomatic representatives from Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, East Timor, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — is on an official visit to the city of Belém. The goal is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore opportunities through a Technical Cooperation Agreement in the areas of sustainable development, green economy, tourism, and trade exchange.
The Asian bloc delegation was received by the Secretary of Economic Development, Mining and Energy of Pará (Sedeme), Paulo Bengtson, who was accompanied by the ambassador, Unaldo Vieira de Souza, coordinator of International Relations of Pará in Brasília (DF).
The Asian delegation was also welcomed by the president of the Thematic Council of Infrastructure (Coinfra/Fiepa) and the Center of Industries of Pará (CIP), José Maria Mendonça; as well as representatives from private entities, associations, and other authorities. The meeting took place on the afternoon of last Wednesday (8), at the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of the State of Pará (Fiepa).
The agenda was led by Secretary Paulo Bengtson. He emphasized the strategic importance of Pará in the international scenario, highlighting the relevance of the State for sustainable economic development, energy transition, bioeconomy, and especially the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.
“The Government of Pará, through Sedeme, is interested in strengthening trade relations, aiming to attract new investments in various areas. As the Secretary of Economic Development, Mining and Energy, we are open to exchanging experiences and consolidating concrete partnerships, always focusing on the sustainable economic development of our state,” said Bengtson.
On the occasion, Bengtson presented the state’s economic potential. Pará is the second largest mineral producing state in Brazil, with a production of 302.9 million tons in 2024. “Mineral products represent 70.5% of Pará's exports. The main productive chains include aluminum, copper, iron and steel, manganese, nickel, gold, and tin,” he detailed.
He also emphasized that the State has 210 incentivized companies, distributed across more than 50 municipalities, covering the 12 Integration Regions (RI), with a projection of generating 4,765 direct jobs, US$ 388 million in fixed investments, US$ 122 million in payroll, and revenues exceeding US$ 19.4 billion, according to data from the Operational Secretariat of Tax Incentives (Secop).
Regarding Pará's economic potential, the secretary explained that to ensure income generation in an environmentally sustainable manner, the Government of Pará has adopted measures to strengthen the productive chains of extractive products from sociobiodiversity. The tax incentive policy has begun to prioritize chains of greater economic relevance and with a diversity of industrial uses. Regions like Marajó, for example, rich in biodiversity, receive specific incentives aimed at reducing inequalities.
Paulo Bengtson also reinforced that the current moment is strategic for building international partnerships based on sustainability, innovation, and inclusion. “We firmly believe that collaboration between our nations can yield significant results in various economic areas,” he stated.
Businesspeople from the productive sector of the State participated in the meeting, establishing direct contact with the ambassadors. On this occasion, a new meeting was agreed upon in the federal capital, Brasília (DF), with the participation of delegations to negotiate products and services from Pará.
The ambassador, Unaldo Vieira de Souza, highlighted that although Itamaraty is the main channel of contact, this does not prevent direct cooperation between ASEAN countries and Pará. He informed that the Amazon Development Chamber (CASEAN) acts as a bridge to facilitate these partnerships, especially in the post-COP context. He also reinforced the Brazilian government's interest in strengthening relations with ASEAN, one of the current foreign policy priorities.
“We are open to proposals, including economic missions. ASEAN has a well-organized structure, with each country responsible for specific thematic areas, which facilitates the construction of partnerships aligned with the interests and demands of both parties,” said the ambassador.
During his speech, José Maria Mendonça emphasized the importance of international cooperation with Asian countries: “We are fully aware that global trade is increasingly focused on Asia. It is with great satisfaction that we see this approach. We, as the Amazon Brazil, are open-armed to receive and negotiate in various areas of the Pará productive sector.”
Mendonça also spoke about the COP+ Journey, an initiative led by Fiepa that brings together initiatives aimed at creating sustainable and innovative solutions to support the bioeconomy, reduce carbon emissions, and combat illegal deforestation, focusing on sustainable economic development. He concluded: “We will do much more if we are together.”
Participating were ambassadors and heads of mission who are part of the delegation from Vietnam in Brazil, Bui Van Nghi; from East Timor in Brazil, Maria Ângela Carrascalão; from Cambodia in Brazil, Prak Nguon Hong; from Thailand in Brazil, Khundhinee Aksornwong; and chargé d'affaires: from Singapore in Brazil, Desmond Ng; and from Malaysia in Brazil, Muhamad Muhaimin Azmi.
Also present were the president of the Union of Meat and Derivatives Industries (Sindicarne), Daniel Freire; the president of the Union of Fishing, Aquaculture, and Shipbuilding and Production Industries (SINPESCA Pará), Apoliano Oliveira do Nascimento; the president of the Union of Bakery and Confectionery Industry of Pará, Elias Pedrosa; Francisco Victer, president of the Thematic Council of Legislative Affairs of Fiepa and representative of the National Union of Meat Industry and Companies (UNIEC); and the director of Investment Attraction and Business of the Economic Development Company of Pará (Codec), Manoel Ibiapina.
About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has become an increasingly important partnership for Brazil. Located in a strategic region, the member countries of ASEAN have approximately 670 million inhabitants and have shown an average growth of 5.7% over the last 20 years, making the bloc the 5th largest economy in the world. According to IMF projections, ASEAN countries will account for 10% of global GDP growth in 2023.
