Oleh/By  	:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue	:	BRASILIA
Tarikh/Date	:	17/03/2003
Tajuk/Title 	:	THE STATE LUNCH IN HIS HONOUR 
			HOSTED BY H.E. PRESIDENT LUIZ 
			INACIO LULA DA SILVA, PRESIDENT 
			OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC 
			OF BRAZIL
Versi 		:	ENGLISH
Penyampai	:  	PM
	    

      Let me first of all, thank you, Mr President,  for
   your  warm  words  of welcome and the generous  tribute
   paid to the government and the people of Malaysia.   On
   behalf  of my wife and members of delegation,  I  would
   like  to  sincerely thank you for the warm  hospitality
   and the excellent arrangements made during this visit.
   
   2.   It  is  with great pleasure that I undertake  this
   visit,  and  I  recall the fond memories  of  my  first
   official  visit  to beautiful Brazil  in  1991  and  my
   second  visit  in  1992 to attend  the  Rio  Summit  on
   Environment and Development.
   
   3.   We had fruitful discussions this morning, and both
   sides  had  the opportunity to exchange  views  on  the
   state  of  our bilateral relations as well as  regional
   and  international  issues of  mutual  concern.   I  am
   pleased  to observe that generally we are in  agreement
   that  there  is indeed great potential to  further  the
   scope and depth of our relations.
   
   4.   Brazil continues to be Malaysia's largest  trading
   partner  in  South America.  Last year,  the  bilateral
   trade  between our two countries was registered at  US$
   639  million  as  against  US$  514  million  in  2001.
   However, such trade constitutes only a small percentage
   of our total world trade volume.  I wish to express the
   hope that my visit to Brazil will generate greater flow
   of  trade and investment between our two countries.   I
   believe  greater efforts should be made to increase the
   volume  of  our bilateral trade.  In this regard,  many
   Malaysian  business corporations have  participated  in
   the  various trade fairs in Brazil, particularly in Sao
   Paulo  and in Rio de Janeiro.  By participating in  the
   trade  fairs, Malaysian businessmen are made  aware  of
   the  various  economic  opportunities  in  Brazil.   As
   Malaysian  businessmen  are being  encouraged  to  seek
   business opportunities in Brazil, Brazilian businessmen
   are   welcome   to   do  likewise  in  Malaysia   where
   opportunities abound.  We should encourage the  private
   sector  of  both  countries to  explore  and  establish
   mutually profitable linkages.  In this connection, I am
   pleased  to  observe that the Malaysia-Brazil  Business
   Council  was established two years ago and the  members
   of this council include many big Brazilian corporations
   like Avibras and Embraer.
   
   5.   It  is  also a matter of satisfaction to  me  that
   there  are some Malaysian investments in Brazil, namely
   in  the  States  of Amazonia, Para, Sao  Paulo  and  in
   Parana, ranging from investments in timber complex,  to
   rubber gloves and in security seals. I hope that  there
   will  be more Malaysian investments in Brazil.  At  the
   same  time, I would also like to express the hope  that
   Brazilian   corporations  could  make  investments   in
   Malaysia.
   
   6.   Malaysia  and Brazil are emerging  economies  with
   almost   similar   level   of   economic   development.
   Therefore   there   are   tremendous   potentials   for
   cooperation,   taking  advantage  of   our   respective
   strength and experiences.  The new areas of cooperation
   could  be  in  information  technology,  biotechnology,
   space technology, aerospace, hydro power generators and
   agricultural research.  We believe that both  countries
   have   much   to   gain   from  closer   economic   and
   technological cooperation.
   
   7.   As regards exchange of visits, both countries need
   to sustain high level visits and promote more intensive
   contacts   and   interactions  between   our   peoples,
   especially between the government and business leaders,
   scientists, sportsmen and youth.
   
   8.   We  are  very  happy that in May  last  year,  the
   Brazilian  football team chose Malaysia to  acclimatise
   themselves  before  the World Cup Tournament  in  South
   Korea and Japan.
   
   9.   The  friendly  football match played  between  the
   Malaysian  and  the Brazilian teams  in  Kuala  Lumpur,
   contributed to the greater consciousness and  awareness
   of our two countries among our youth.
   
   10.  At the present moment, we are preoccupied with the
   situation  in  the  Middle East and  the  uncertainties
   relating  to the threat of a looming war in  Iraq.   We
   believe that there should be no unilateral approach  to
   international issues disrupting the international peace
   and security.  We strongly believe that problems should
   be  resolved peacefully under the aegis of  the  United
   Nations and countries should not resort to war.
   
   11.  Mr. President, may I commend you on the benevolent
   policies and projects that are being undertaken by your
   government  since your inauguration on 1 January  2003.
   The  Zero  Hunger  programme and  other  policies  will
   certainly  benefit the most vulnerable in the Brazilian
   society.   May I take this occasion to wish  you  every
   success in carrying out your responsibility.
   
   12. Once again, on behalf of my wife and delegation,  I
   would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to
   you  and  your government for the warm hospitality  and
   excellent arrangements made for our visits.

   Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri