In a context of geopolitical fragmentation and the reconfiguration of global trade flows, diplomacy returns to the center of Brazil's development strategy.
Contemporary economic diplomacy goes far beyond embassies and treaties. It acts as a strategic platform connecting businesses, governments, and foreign investors, promoting the country as a reliable hub for innovation, technology, and urban solutions. With a sovereign and pragmatic foreign policy, Brazil reinforces its leadership position in the Global South.
By adopting an approach that values its internal potential, Brazil positions itself not only as a supplier of commodities, but as a strategically important player for countries and blocs seeking secure business.
Breathing new life into business competitiveness
Brazilian companies face a series of structural obstacles to their international expansion, such as high logistics costs, legal uncertainty, and tariff barriers. An active foreign policy, aligned with the demands of the productive sector, has proven essential to reverse this situation.
World Bank studies indicate that countries with a diplomatic strategy focused on business internationalization see an average increase of 16% in exports from small and medium-sized enterprises. In the case of Brazil, initiatives such as trade facilitation agreements signed with partners in Latin America and Asia help simplify processes, increase predictability, and reduce transaction costs.
Furthermore, the recent rapprochement with blocs such as the European Union, BRICS, and Gulf countries is driving the opening of technical channels for cooperation in key sectors such as energy, precision agriculture, and clean technology, all of which have a high density of national companies in operation or development.
States and municipalities as actors
Brazilian federalism has given way to a decentralized foreign policy, in which states and large municipalities play an active role in seeking investment, cooperation agreements, and integration into global networks. This subnational action strengthens Brazil's protagonism without compromising its sovereignty; on the contrary, it strengthens its institutional capacity.
Bahia, for example, with a trade surplus of US$1.5 billion in 2023 (ComexVis data), diversified its export portfolio and strengthened ties with markets such as China, Canada, and the United States. This was achieved through state diplomatic initiatives, including the promotion of events, participation in technical missions, and the development of commercial and academic partnerships.
Cases such as Minas Gerais, which in 2024 launched a digital investment attraction platform with simultaneous translation in five languages, and Pernambuco, which created a dedicated secretariat for international relations, demonstrate how decentralized diplomacy has been adopted as state policy by Brazilian states.
Investment and PPPs
Economic diplomacy also plays an essential role in structuring public-private partnerships (PPPs) and concessions in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, mobility, sanitation, and the energy transition. Despite fiscal constraints, Brazil maintained its leadership in Latin America in FDI inflows in 2023, with over US$1.4 trillion, according to UNCTAD.
The renewable energy sector is exemplary. With 93% of electricity generated from clean sources (EPE data), the country has attracted international investment in wind, solar, and green hydrogen projects. Several of these projects involve international consortia and local governments, with institutional coordination facilitated through diplomatic channels.
This logic extends to port concessions, urban mobility, and basic sanitation. Municipalities such as São Paulo, Salvador, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre have been structuring auctions with the support of multilateral organizations and technical consultants, increasing their attractiveness to international investors and ensuring compensation for social and environmental development.
BRING: connecting Brazilian interests to the world
With offices in Brazil, England, and Portugal, BRING facilitates the internationalization of companies and governments, as well as the attraction of foreign direct investment. The consultancy develops tailored strategies for each territory or organization, based on geopolitical intelligence, opportunity mapping, and institutional coordination.
Its work is focused on promoting solutions that respect and value Brazilian sovereignty, connecting states, municipalities, and national companies to global financing, innovation, and trade platforms, always prioritizing local interests.
Business without borders, sovereignty as a principle
Economic diplomacy is not an end in itself, but a tool for Brazil to protect its interests, open markets, and lead with purpose. Whether through international agreements, decentralized cooperation, or structured investment projects, the country can—and should—position itself as a respected global player that negotiates firmly and cooperates intelligently.
In this scenario, "business without borders" is more than a motto. It reflects a modern, pragmatic foreign policy aligned with the aspirations of local businesses and governments. It is the embodiment of an ambition: to transform Brazil's internal strength into global influence, without relinquishing its autonomy.
