Arizona State Representative David Cook (R-Globe) recently led a bipartisan team of lawmakers on a trade mission to Brazil to advance Arizona’s position in the global economy and is now sharing legislative goals following the trip.
“I was honored to be joined by such a great group of public servants in a bipartisan trade delegation to Brazil to expand our state’s trade opportunities,” said Cook. “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues and the great leaders we met to bolster Arizona’s economy.”
Lawmakers Tout Successful Bipartisan Trade Mission to Brazil and Announce Legislative Priorities to Advance Arizona’s Position in the Global Economy.
READ MORE➡️https://t.co/29vhX0eXLy#AZLeg pic.twitter.com/MZYIG8gLfl
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) December 27, 2022
Joining Cook on the trip were State Representative-Elect Matt Gress (R), State Senator-Elect Brian Fernandez (D-Yuma), and State Senator-Elect Catherine Miranda (D-Phoenix). Cook first announced this trip at the beginning of December. In 2021, Arizona’s trade relationship with Brazil grew by 45 percent, with imports totaling $707 million and Arizona exporting over $377 million in goods yearly. Arizona has been steadily increasing its relations with the country, and Brazil’s ambassador to the U.S., Nestor Forster, visited the state in February, saying he saw “potential” for more growth between the entities.
On the recent four-day expedition, the delegates had the opportunity to speak with business leaders and companies about expanding Arizona’s relationship with Brazil. This included meeting with Augusto Pestana, Business Director of Apex Brazil, a foreign trade and investments company.
Great meeting with Augusto Pestana, the Business Director of @ApexBrasil_en their mission is to promote exports, Brazilian companies, and enhance foreign direct investments. We will be focused on their first official trip to AZ soon. #AzBrazilTrade pic.twitter.com/1DcZNBYc0f
— David Cook (@RepDavidCook) December 7, 2022
The delegates also attended the MOSTRA BID; a Brazilian trade fair focused on national defense and security. Cook shared that some of the technologies seen “can be vital to Arizona and U.S. security, especially at the southern border.”
Thank you to the Ministry of Foreign Relations for inviting and hosting us at the 7th annual MOSTRA BID – Brazilian trade fair regarding national defense and security. These technological innovations can be vital to Arizona and U.S. security, especially at the southern border. pic.twitter.com/KXXtVwBx9R
— David Cook (@RepDavidCook) December 7, 2022
Now post-trip, the group of legislators have presented a list of priorities they plan on pushing in the coming session to build up Arizona’s relationship with Brazil, starting with establishing a trade office in Brazil on behalf of Arizona. Additionally, the delegates proposed a collaboration with Arizona higher education institutions in creating a program enabling Arizona students to study abroad at Brazil’s Sao José Campos Aerospace Technology Complex. Moreover, they mentioned creating a direct flight path between Brazil and Arizona to increase tourism and cooperating with the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) to welcome Brazilian companies interested in building production facilities in the state.
In response to this proposed cooperation, the ACA told The Arizona Sun Times it looks forward to working with the legislature.
“The Arizona Commerce Authority works closely with companies of all sizes across industries, helping Arizona companies expand as well as attracting expansion projects from out of state and internationally. The ACA also has a record of successfully working with international companies,” said the ACA in a statement emailed to The Sun Times. “We look forward to working with the Legislature and our partners across the state to build on this momentum in the year ahead.”
Furthermore, the delegates ultimately said they are optimistic about Arizona’s relationship with Brazil and the next legislative session.
“We’re excited to increase our economic and political relations with Brazil and are very optimistic about future business opportunities between our burgeoning economies,” the delegates said in a joint statement. “Moreover, we’re motivated and ready to serve the people of Arizona this upcoming legislative session.”
Gress also shared his enthusiasm following the trip, stating he is hopeful the endeavor will result in more jobs for Arizonans and make the state “an international business hub.”
The next legislative session is set to begin on January 9th, 2023, with State Representative Ben Toma (R-Peoria) taking the reigns as Speaker of the House.
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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Arizona State Representatives in Brazil” by David Cook.
