German-Brazilian dialogues

Brazil is Germany’s most important trade partner in South America and a strategic partner in the Common Market of the South (Mercado Común del Sur - MERCOSUR). In turn, Germany is Brazil’s most important trade partner in Europe. However, the business environment and regulatory framework in Brazil pose challenges that potentially create barriers to competitiveness and restrict trade.

According to the World Bank, Brazil ranks 124th out of 190 economies on the ease of doing business index. Often referred to as the custo Brasil (the ‘Brazil cost’), such structural burdens include challenges relating to taxation, customs bureaucracy and quality infrastructure.

Within GPQI, Brazil and Germany have engaged in technical and political dialogue on quality infrastructure since 2017. In close dialogue they reduce technical barriers to trade and enhance product safety. The Brazilian Ministry of Economy (Ministério da Economia - ME) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz - BMWK) have set up the Brazilian-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure. The group involves the relevant ministries, regulators, public agencies, accreditation and standards bodies, industry associations and companies.