UZBEKISTAN: AT HOME ON THE FAZENDA?

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000976 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, WHA/BSC, AND EB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD EINV BR UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: AT HOME ON THE FAZENDA? ¶1. (U) Uzbek media has widely reported the visit by Brazil's Ambassador to Russia Carlos Antonio da Rocha Paranhos. Appointed on February 13 as Brazil's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Uzbekistan based in the Russian Federation, Paranhos was expected to deliver his credentials to President Karimov on August 20. ¶2. (U) According to press reports, Paranhos met on August 19 with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. During this visit, he announced that a delegation of Brazilian businessmen led by Vice Minister of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade Ivan Ramalho will visit Uzbekistan by the end of the year. ¶3. (SBU) Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Brazil amounted to USD 64.7 million in 2007, consisting of USD 2.1 million in exports to Brazil and USD 62.6 million in imports from Brazil. (COMMENT: By comparison, in 2007 Uzbekistan exported USD 88.8 million to the U.S. and imported USD 164.5 million from the U.S. End Comment) At present Uzbekistan's primary imports from Brazil are sugar (91.5 percent), tobacco, and meat and poultry products, and its main exports are fertilizers and tourism services. Ambassador Paranhos noted that Brazil could expand its exports to include aircraft, vehicles and spare parts, animal produce, and poultry. Both sides believe that the current trade turnover could be greatly increased. ¶4. (U) The Foreign Affairs Ministries of Uzbekistan and Brazil had their first consultations in Brasilia in September 2007, after which Brazilian Special Advisor on Asian Affairs Markes Porto visited Uzbekistan twice, holding meetings in the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade (MFERIT) in addition to the MFA, and extending an invitation from Brazilian President Lula for President Karimov to visit Brazil. (COMMENT: The fact that this is mentioned in press accounts indicates it is likely President Karimov will accept the invitation. End Comment) MFERIT Minister Elyor Ganiev subsequently led an Uzbek delegation to Brazil in May 2008. BUTCHER