Brazil and Egypt Strengthen Ties with Signing of Key Agreements

During an official visit to Cairo on Thursday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva witnessed the signing of two significant agreements with the Egyptian government, in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The first agreement is a protocol aimed at simplifying the export process for Brazilian beef, poultry, and pork to Egypt. This protocol not only ensures food safety and maintains rigorous quality standards but also streamlines bureaucratic procedures, promising to enhance trade and mutual benefits for both nations.

The second agreement, a memorandum of understanding, focuses on fostering collaboration in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. It seeks to strengthen partnerships between companies, universities, and research institutes, aiming to drive progress and development in these strategic areas.

President Lula and President El-Sisi, during the signing ceremony, expressed optimism about the potential of these agreements to contribute to the advancement of key sectors. President Lula highlighted the importance of these agreements, stating, “We have signed important agreements in the areas of science, technology, and agriculture during this visit, which will contribute to the development of strategic areas.”

Furthermore, both leaders emphasised their intention to enhance relations across various sectors, including agriculture, science, culture, economy, and politics.

The protocol for meat exports establishes an equivalence of meat inspection systems, commonly known as “pre-listing.” Roberto Perosa, Secretary of Trade and International Relations in Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, underscored the significance of this agreement, noting that it reflects the confidence in Brazilian sanitary control and facilitates smoother trade processes.

Previously, renewing export qualifications for Brazilian establishments involved cumbersome and time-consuming in-person audits by Egyptian authorities, which posed challenges for many Brazilian companies. However, under the new agreement, Brazilian certifications will be automatically recognised by Egypt, streamlining the export process while ensuring occasional compliance audits by Egyptian authorities.

The MoU on science, technology, and innovation aims to promote collaboration between various entities, fostering joint research projects, innovation initiatives, and personnel exchanges. This agreement is poised to create opportunities for researchers, students, and university staff from both nations.

President Lula’s visit to Egypt is part of his broader engagement with African countries, signalling a departure from previous foreign policies that showed little interest in the continent. In August 2023, President Lula visited Angola, signing several memorandums of understanding across various sectors.

The visit also aligns with Brazil’s efforts to deepen its relations with African countries, especially as Egypt and Ethiopia’s accession to BRICS is finalised this year. As Brazil currently holds the G20 presidency, there are expectations of closer engagement between Brazil and African countries, with a focus on addressing shared challenges and advancing a pro-Global South agenda.

In the medium to long term, closer cooperation between Brazil and Africa is anticipated, driven by mutual interests in addressing issues such as inequality, hunger, climate change, and reforming international institutions. President Lula’s participation in the AU summit in Ethiopia underscores Brazil’s commitment to strengthening ties with African nations and advancing a shared agenda for progress and development.