Brazil could serve as the Philippines’ strategic gateway to Latin America as both countries seek to deepen trade and economic cooperation, according to Brazil Ambassador to the Philippines, Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura.

On the bilateral sphere alone, De Moura said commerce between the Philippines and Brazil — a major player in regional trade and the largest economy in South America — has already “grown immensely” in the last few years.

In 2024, trade between the two states reached approximately USD2.4 billion, a 31-percent increase compared to 2023.

With this growing trade ties, De Moura said there is an “immense potential” in the more than seven-decade-old relations that the two countries could further explore.

“Slowly, we are becoming very close to the Philippines and we do believe that Brazil can be a bridge to Latin America to the Philippines. We are Iberian — we have in a certain way, the same history,” he said at the recent ThePhilBizNews Embassy Night at Hotel Okura in Pasay City.

Recently, the Brazilian Embassy in Manila assigned its newest agriculture attaché, who is tasked to help promote agriculture trade and assist Philippine buyers to source Brazilian food products.

On top of trade, De Moura said Manila and Brazil could also expand cooperation on renewable energy, particularly ethanol and biofuels, science, technology and innovation, outer space, education, among others.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier urged Filipino exporters to explore opportunities in Latin American countries, a market of over 600 million consumers for processed food, personal care products, and other fast-moving consumer items. (PNA)