Gilberto Ramos Presents Brazil at SPIEF 2026 as a Gateway to Latin America
Held from June 17 to 20 in St. Petersburg, the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was attended by Gilberto Ramos, Representative of the Financial and Business Association of Euro-Asian Cooperation in Brazil, and President of the Brazilian-Russian Chamber of Trade, Industry, and Tourism. The Forum featured the "Russia–Brazil" panel, which brought together the Ambassador of Brazil to Russia, Sergio Rodrigues dos Santos; the former Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil, Bento Albuquerque; the head of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (ABIEC), Roberto Perosa; and representatives of Russian ministries and the business community. The session focused on the current state and prospects of bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and new avenues for cooperation. Sergio Rodrigues dos Santos noted that bilateral trade turnover reached 63 billion reais in 2024, reaffirming Russia's status as one of Brazil's most vital partners.
Beyond the panel discussions, the Chamber's delegation held a series of bilateral meetings. A dialogue with Alexander Karelin, Member of the Federation Council of Russia and three-time Olympic Champion, focused on the prospects for sports cooperation. Discussions with Nikolai Valuev, State Duma Deputy and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, centered on the development of business tourism and the organization of business missions. A meeting with Vitaly Mutko, Chairman of DOM.RF and former Minister of Sport, was dedicated to infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships.
Special attention was given to negotiations with Igor Shuvalov, Chairman of VEB.RF, where the parties discussed mechanisms for financing joint projects in infrastructure, logistics, agribusiness, and innovation. Additionally, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Ryazan Region, supported by the National Committee for Economic Cooperation with Latin American Countries (CN CEPLA). The document outlines the organization of business missions, business rounds, and the exchange of technological solutions. Furthermore, negotiations were held with the leadership of the Roscongress Foundation to expand the participation of Brazilian delegations in future forums.
Gilberto Ramos served as the sole foreign speaker at the "Russian Jurisdiction: Advantages for Foreign Investors" panel, where he presented Brazil as a strategic gateway to Latin American markets. During the Forum, he also gave an interview to the TASS news agency, addressing the expansion of fertilizer supplies, digital assets, and the convergence of integration blocs—MERCOSUR, BRICS, and the Eurasian Economic Union. The Chamber's participation was covered by Channel One, and Brazilian journalist Pepe Escobar highlighted the mission in his program, Pepe Café.
The FBA EAC, represented in Brazil by Gilberto Ramos, views his participation in SPIEF as a crucial component of its systematic efforts to foster business ties between Eurasian and Latin American countries. "This is a tangible opportunity to build relationships, open doors for new business, and strengthen Brazil's presence in one of the most vital hubs of international economic dialogue," stated Gilberto Ramos. According to him, the outcomes of the Chamber's work at the Forum have yielded highly positive prospects for expanding cooperation between Brazilian and Russian companies and institutions.