Press Release

Commerce Secretary to Travel to Brazil

Trip Will Follow Up On Commitment To Encourage Stronger U.S.-Brazilian Commercial Relations

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that he will travel to Brazil next week to help promote a stronger commercial relationship with Brazil. The four-day visit follows up on a commitment made by President Bush and Brazilian President Lula last November, when they agreed to strengthen their bilateral commercial relationship through a new government-to-government dialogue. Gutierrez will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Sao Paulo from June 5-8, 2006.

"I am proud to continue the commitment made by President Bush and President Lula last November to strengthen the commercial relationship between the United States and Brazil," said Gutierrez. "On this visit we will officially launch the Commercial Dialogue, where we can move forward and discuss a positive agenda for deepening trade and investment ties between our two nations."

Gutierrez will focus on several important economic issues in his meetings with Brazilian officials. Specifically he will concentrate on increasing trade and enhancing the competitiveness of both countries. Topics will also include business facilitation, trade and investment promotion, and other commercial issues of mutual benefit.

Gutierrez will begin his trip in Rio de Janeiro, where he will launch the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue with Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Trade Luiz Furlan. The Dialogue will focus on stimulating bilateral trade and investment, with the goal of improving the competitiveness of each country. He will also deliver the keynote address to the American Association of Chambers of Commerce of Latin America.

He will then continue on to Brasilia to meet with several government officials to discuss expanding the flow of trade and investment and improving overall economic relations between the United States and Brazil. Gutierrez will also visit a clinic that helps children with cancer and blood diseases, followed by a stop at the future site of a new affiliated hospital that is being built in partnership with McDonald’s.

Gutierrez will finish his trip with a stop in Sao Paulo, where he will meet with several Brazilian governors regarding intellectual property rights. He will also meet with Brazilian and American Chambers of Commerce, and visit a Microsoft Center of Innovation, which provides instruction in information technology to adult students to help them launch their careers.