Brazil to boost agricultural cooperation with China: minister

The Brazilian government hopes to boost economic and trade cooperation with China, Agriculture Minister Antonio Andrade said Thursday.

Brazil wants to enhance agricultural cooperation with China, increase exports to China and attract Chinese investment, Andrade, who took office on March 16, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview before he leaves on Saturday for a visit to the Asian country.

He said choosing China as the destination of his first official trip abroad as minister is an acknowledgement of China's status as Brazil's biggest trade partner in agriculture.

During his stay in the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai, the Brazilian minister will meet his Chinese counterpart among other officials and visit the Brazil Pavilion in the SIAL China International Food, Beverage & Hospitality Exhibition.

Andrade said he would ask the Chinese government to lift a ban on Brazilian meat, imposed last year after reports of a case of mad cow disease in Brazil, and import more pork, chicken and corn from Brazil. He expressed the hope that the two countries could reach an agreement on corn export.

Brazil is also interested in attracting Chinese investments to fulfill the needs of port and transportation infrastructure to boost agricultural production, Andrade said.

With the Chinese investment, "we could increase our production and reduce export costs," he said.

Andrade added that the Brazilian Congress is expected to vote on a bill facilitating China's participation in land purchasing in Brazil.