Page 11 - brazil19 for web

IN CONVERSATION

HE Eugenia Barthelmess: There is More
to Brazil than Meets the Eye By Nomita Dhar

The new Ambassador of Brazil to Singapore speaks to Editor-in-Chief Ms Nomita
Dhar about building on the base established by her predecessors as well as greater
emphasis on promoting Brazilian innovation and culture

Which part of Brazil do leged standpoint to ob-
you hail from? serve what happens in the
I was born in Curi- region and, I would think, in

tiba, the capital of the state all of the Asia-Pacific.

of Paraná, in the south of

the country. Paraná is among Brazil is far in distance,

Brazil’s main agriculture and but close to the hearts

livestock producers and ex- of Singaporeans. As the

porters. It is well-known for two countries celebrate

its massive waterfalls, Iguaçu 52 years of bilateral ties,

Falls, right on the border with what are your wishes for

Argentina. We are also home, the near future?

with neighbouring Paraguay, I am very privileged to

to the Itaipu power plant, the be able to follow in the

world’s largest in hydroelec- footsteps of Ambassador

tric generation. Ecotourism Flávio Damico, an enthusi-

is very popular in the state ast of the rich potential of

parks, which are filled with Fewer people know about the Brazil-Singapore relations,
abundant vegetation, large very high quality of Brazilian science. as well as of other very tal-
rivers and wild fauna. Paraná’s I believe we can work to further expand ented predecessors, who
landscapes are uniquely beau- on joint ventures in the agricultural have worked hard to bring
tiful and should be on every- our two countries closer
one’s plan when visiting Brazil. and industrial fields, as well as together. It is my wish to be
able to build further on that

Could you brief our readers develop initiatives to boost solid base in all areas: trade,
about the highlights of your research and development business, political consulta-
diplomatic career and about tions, but also innovation

your previous postings? and culture. Our countries

In a career that spans over three de- What was your first reaction when you have a lot to offer to each other. I intend

cades, I have worked for the Brazilian were asked to serve in Singapore? to work towards an ever stronger pres-

diplomatic service in many different I was truly honored to be assigned as ence of Singapore in Brazil and of Brazil

capacities. I have been posted to sev- the new Brazilian Ambassador to Sin- in Singapore.

eral offices abroad, among them the gapore. Singapore is a particularly excit-

Brazilian Mission to the Organization ing place for any Ambassador’s assign- What will be the focus of your work and

of American States in Washington, DC; ment abroad. Personally, I’m fascinated activities during your term here?

the Brazilian Embassy in Ecuador; and by its mix of cultures, the diversity of Brazil, as many of you know, is an agri-

the Brazilian Mission to the European its people, its rich history, its beautiful cultural powerhouse. It is also an impor-

Union in Brussels. Over the past six architecture, and also the fact that it is tant industrial country. Fewer people

years, I have been in charge of bilateral heir to both the Western and the East- know about the very high quality of Bra-

relations with Brazil’s South American ern cultural traditions. It is an inspiration zilian science. I believe we can work to

neighbors. As Director for South Amer- to us all that such a young country has further expand on joint ventures in the

ica in the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, I accomplished so much in terms of both agricultural and industrial fields, as well

have been at the head of a 15-strong social and economic development. I be- as develop initiatives to boost research

team of diplomats tasked with accom- lieve there is a lot to learn from Singa- and development. Our countries have a

panying Brazil’s everyday political con- pore’s uniquely successful experience. lot more in common than initially meets

tacts with eleven countries and three As an added advantage, Singapore’s the eye. I am convinced that both Sin-

regional organisms. It is a challenging location at the very core of Southeast gapore and Brazil have much to benefit

but rewarding job. Asia’s economic boom gives us a privi- from a strong bilateral partnership, in-

It’s Time for Brazil in Singapore 2019 9