Brazil will bring from France R $ 100 BI in investment commitments

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced on Saturday, 7, during a news conference in France, that Brazil obtained the commitment of the 15 largest French business groups to make investments in the country that total $ 100 billion over the next five years.

The statement came after its participation in the Brazil-France Economic Forum, held in Paris on Friday, 6, and is part of the official agenda of his visit to Europe.

The announcement reinforces the Brazilian government’s strategy to expand its presence in the international scenario and to strengthen economic ties with European countries. According to Lula, the negotiation with the French businessmen reflects Brazil’s return to protagonism in foreign relations.

“We are leading back to Brazil the commitment of France’s 15 largest groups to invest $ 100 billion in Brazil,” he said. “I don’t know how much the trip cost, but I know what we are taking back,” added the president.

The estimated new investments was confirmed by Jorge Viana, president of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apexbrasil), who accompanied the president on the international mission. According to him, the value represents an increase in relation to the initial projections.

“If before the mission the expectations were that this value would reach R $ 70 billion in the coming years, we have now been very pleased with the forecast of the French entrepreneurs themselves that financial investments in Brazil can be $ 100 billion in five years,” he said.

According to Central Bank data, France’s Foreign Foreign Investment (IED) stock in Brazil reached US $ 78.4 billion in 2023, representing a 41% growth compared to the previous year. The numbers reflect the continuous interest of French companies in expanding their presence in the Brazilian market.

During the statement, Lula stated that his visit to France had as its main focus the attraction of investments and the expansion of trade relations. “I came here to do business,” he said.

He said he proposed to French President Emmanuel Macron the increase in bilateral trade flow, which is currently $ 9 billion per year.

“I told Macron that our commercial flow between Brazil, which is the eighth economy of the world, and France, which is the fifth, is only $ 9 billion,” he said.

Lula also mentioned his intention to establish new strategic agreements with the French government, including industrial partnerships. “We are also interested in making a deal with France for the production of Helicopters of Helibrás to meet the needs of Brazil and Latin America,” he said.

During the press conference, the president criticized the posture of certain sectors of the national elite against European countries.

“Brazil sometimes behaves before European countries as if we were colonized, as if our relationship were subservient,” he said.

He argued that Brazilian representatives adopt a more assertive stance on the international scenario. “Brazil needs to stop being small. Our ambassadors need to think big. We are no less than anyone.”

Commenting on the new international role Brazil seeks to exercise, Lula said: “The moment is over when Brazil was not taken into account. Brazil today is complied with. We are from the global south and we owe nothing to anyone.”

The president also detailed commitments he will fulfill in the coming weeks. After the BRICS summit, scheduled for July 6 and 7, Lula will receive in Brasilia the leaders of three countries: Narendra Modi (India), Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Egypt) and Prabowo Subiananto (Indonesia).

In addition, the Brazilian president confirmed a presence at an international meeting in Monaco focused on the discussion about the oceans. “I return to Brazil after attending a meeting in Monaco about the future of the oceans. Do you think it’s just Galvão Bueno who goes to Monaco?” He said.

During the same statement, Lula defended the so -called blue economy and the preservation of the oceans as part of Brazil’s preparation to host COP30.

“We need to defend the Blue Economy, preserve the oceans and prepare Brazil to perform a large COP30. The rich world, which has been industrialized for many years, needs to pay an bill for the world to decharonize,” he said.

Lula also commented that he intends to maintain dialogue with international leaders, including former US President Donald Trump. “I will say, man, Brazil is important and we need to discuss the environmental issue.”

In concluding his speech, the president summarized his diplomatic approach. “The role of the president of Brazil is to make things happen.”

The visit to France and subsequent commitments reinforce the Federal Government’s international agenda, which seeks to reposition Brazil in multilateral debates and expand its economic and environmental cooperation network with other nations.