Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

Brazil's Ambassador to Jamaica Alexandre Ruben Gueriros. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Newly appointed Brazilian ambassador to Jamaica, Alexandre Gueriros, while still trying to settle into his new role, will continue to promote trade between the two countries.

On a recent visit to The Gleaner headquarters on North Street, Kingston, Gueriros, who arrived in the island just over a month ago, was optimistic about his new appointment.

"I intend to promote trade relations as well as cultural relations between our countries in terms of technical cooperations that Jamaica may give to Brazil and Brazil may give to Jamaica".

Gueriros said Brazil has contributed to Jamaica's agriculture, energy and tourism industries through technical cooperation, most significantly in the area of ethanol processing.

New economic opportunities

While the links between Brazil and Jamaica dates back to pre-independence, recent explorations of ethanol processing here has brought new life to the relationship. Ambassador Gueriros is urging Jamaica to seriously look at ethanol as an alternative to fuel as this has worked in his home country and does not have a negative impact on agriculture.

While ethanol is derived from sugar cane, one hectare of land under sugar cane can produce a significant amount of the biofuel.

Gueriros explained that ethanol, widely used in Brazil, significantly reduces the country's energy bill.

"Most cars in Brazil are equipped with a flexfuel engine, whereby ethanol or oil can be used, should oil prices go up, the engine can adapt to the ethanol." the ambassador said. Gueriros said he would encourage Jamaicans to consider using the flexfuel system during this period of rising oil prices and energy conservation.

Bilateral agreement

New economic opportunities have also been developed as a bilateral agreement was signed in December 2007, by the former Brazilian ambassador to Jamaica Cezar Augusto De Souza Lima Amaral and Mike Henry, Minister of Transport and Works. This agreement permitted direct air services between the two countries allowing for better business associations.

"Our contacts at the governmental level are becoming more intense and more frequent and areas of cooperation have been developed recently and the interest in Jamaica in Brazil and Brazil in Jamaica have increased greatly." the ambassador said.

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com