BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Brazil, both city and the country have a rich tradition with one another. That includes the city’s namesake and certain architecture. Now, officials are looking to advance that partnership.
On Friday, March 25, the US Ambassador to Brazil, Nestor Forster J.R., visited Brazil, Indiana at City Hall.
He was later given a key to the city.
“We have a great relationship with the city of Brazil. They have the name of our country,” He added.
After speaking, Forster was taken on a tour of the city via police escort to see some of the Brazilian artifacts proudly in the city. That includes a statue and a water fountain near Forest Park.
The water fountain was donated by the country in the 1950s as a gift and weighs over 2 tons.
According to officials, the meeting symbolizes further advancements in the partnership.
“One from the economic point of view and opportunities, we are looking at ways to expand our trade and investment between the state of Indiana and the city of Brazil,” He stated.
Those advancements could include agriculture, ag-tech or manufacturing.
Both parties are also discussing the possibility of creating a trade mission with locals to look at potential Brazilian investors.
“It’s a big win for Brazil. Nothing is official, we’re just planting seeds right now and hoping they grow,” Steve Bell, a city official, said.
If the plans come to fruition, the goal is to grow the country’s footprint in the Hoosier state.
“We’re celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations, which are unbroken. Brazil only has that with the United States, we don’t have that with any other country,” Forster said.
At the end of the meeting, the Ambassador gave a blessing to all of those in attendance and prayed for the continue economic development of Brazil.
