Bhutan–Brazil relations

Bhutan–Brazil relations

Bhutan
Brazil

Bhutan–Brazil relations refers to interstate relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Federative Republic of Brazil. The diplomatic relationship was formally initiated on 21 September 2009. Brazil was the first country in South America with which Bhutan has established diplomatic relations.[1][2]

The agreement that established diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Brazil was signed in New York City by the Foreign Minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering and the then-Minister of External Relations of Brazil Celso Amorim in English, Portuguese and Dzongkha. The statement expressed wish on behalf of both parties for cooperation on socioeconomical issues and a deepening of their relationship at multilateral fora like the United Nations.[1]

In 2012, diplomat Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte was designated Brazil's ambassador to Bhutan.[3] Until 2010, Bhutan had no ambassador to Brazil.[4]

Cooperation

As part of Brazil's interest in adopting Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH) index model,[1][5] the Centre for Bhutan Studies, along with the Brazilian NGO Future Vision Institute held the 5th International Conference on Gross National Happiness in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, from 20 to 24 November 2009.[6][7]

In 2012, Bhutan's prime minister Jigme Thinley also further promoted the concept of Gross National Happiness while in Brazil for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro.[8]

Common memberships

Bhutan and Brazil are both members of a number of international organizations, including G-77, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Development Association, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Monetary Fund, Interpol, International Olympic Committee, International Organization for Migration, International Organization for Standardization, International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the United Nations (and the following agencies: FAO, ICAO, ITU, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO and WMO), World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization.[9]

Tourism

Prior to the establishment of formal relations between the two countries, access to Bhutan by Brazilian citizens could only be done with possession of a Laissez-Passer document, issued by the Federal Police of Brazil.[10] There are no direct flights from Brazil to Bhutan, requiring tourists to make connections from neighbouring countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh or Thailand.[11]

Trade

Trade between the two countries is minimal and in some years even non-existent. It is centered mostly around plastic (80%) and iron-related products (15%). In 2011, Bhutan ranked 236th among Brazil's trade partners, having a 0% participation in Brazilian foreign trade. Between 2007 and 2011, the trade balance favoured the Bhutanese. The only recorded export from Brazil to Bhutan was of vegetable gum in 2007.[12]

Evolution of trade patterns (in US$ millions)[4][12]
Description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2011 (jan-jul) 2012 (jan-jul)
Brazilian exports to Bhutan 46.8 0.7 35.9 28.3 18.9 — — — — — 81.7
Bhutanese exports to Brazil — 124.5 — — 58.4 58.0 — — 0.16 0.16 0.35
Total trade 48.8 125.3 35.9 28.3 77.3 58.0 — — 0.16 0.16 82.05

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bhutan establishes diplomatic relations with Brazil". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2012-01-23.
  2. ↑ "Comunicado Conjunto sobre o estabelecimento de relações diplomáticas entre o Brasil e o Butão - Nova York, 21 de setembro de 2009". Ministry of External Relations of Brazil (in Portuguese). 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2012-01-23.
  3. ↑ "Ambassadors present credentials to His Majesty". BBS. April 3, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Butão" (in Portuguese). Ministry of External Relations of Brazil. April 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Brazil to 'import' happiness from Bhutan". The Times of India. 2008-11-30. Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  6. ↑ "Putting the Science of Happiness Into Practice". Yes! Magazine. 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  7. ↑ "Gross National Happiness in Practice". Felicidade Interna Bruta (FIB) na Prática. Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  8. ↑ "Bhutan PM promotes link between happiness and sustainability at Rio +20". United Nations Radio. 2012-06-21. Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  9. ↑ "The World Factbook - International organization participation". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  10. ↑ "Laissez-Passer" (in Portuguese). Departamento de Polícia Federal. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  11. ↑ "Butão - Como chegar" (in Portuguese). UOL. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  12. 1 2 "Dados básicos e principais indicadores econômico-comerciais – Butão" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Ministry of External Relations of Brazil/BrasilGlobalNet. August 2012. Retrieved 2013-09-14.

External links

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