P.M. strengthens ties with Brazil

Prime Minister Said Musa returned home today after attending a summit of Central American leaders and the President of Brazil. The meeting, held in San Jose, Costa Rica, sought to improve relations between the South American giant and the Central American sub-region, including Belize, Panama and the Dominican Republic. In a declaration signed at meeting’s end, the leaders agreed to promote trade and investment between Central America and the Mercosur group of South American nations. Musa also took the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso and it was agreed that Brazil would organize a trade and investment mission to Belize. The Brazilian president also pledged assistance to Belize in the areas of agricultural diversification, tourism, oil exploration and diplomatic training. It is worth noting that Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of citrus products and citrus is rapidly on its way to becoming Belize’s most important agricultural commodity.