OREANDA-NEWS. The goal to “progress, lead and inspire together" announced by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set the tone for the Brazil-Japan Economic Forum, held on August 2 in São Paulo. Concerned with improving relations between the two countries, Abe emphasized the efforts being made by the Japanese government to invest in changes to its financial and fiscal policies over the last decade. “I want you to have confidence in this new Japan as a partner," stated the prime minister to an audience of 300 Brazilian and Japanese business owners.

After the opening of the meeting, leaders from the Brazil's public and private sectors and directors of Japanese multinationals took part in three panel discussions. The theme of the first was “Expansion of Brazil-Japan Business", and Vale CEO Murilo Ferreira highlighted the importance of Japan as a big consumer of Brazil's iron ore since the 1950s.

“We are expanding our cooperation with a focus on new mineral exploration technology. We have more than just an office and a nickel refinery in Japan. We could even say that Vale is a little bit Japanese," said Ferreira, adding that a new ore distribution centre will be inaugurated in Malaysia by the end of the year to meet the demand of the Asian economy.