The signing of 13 trade agreements between the presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Chile, Gabriel Boric, establishes a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between the two countries within the framework of the bioceanic corridor project, now known as Capricorn.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed key issues for regional integration , with a special focus on the now titled Capricorn Bioceanic Route (in reference to the tropic of the same name) , which will connect the ports of Brazil with those of Chile through Antofagasta .
President Lula expressed that this meeting marks the beginning of a new phase in the relationship between Brazil and Chile . "Our relationship will never be the same," he stated.
The Brazilian president mentioned the importance of breaking away from the model of isolation of the region's countries, which has perpetuated poverty . " That's why I'm a citizen obsessed with integration. I think the presidents of South American countries should realize that we are very weak when we are isolated ," Lula emphasized, adding that "we weren't born to live another 500 years as a poor country . "
The Capricorn Bioceanic Route will connect ports in the Brazilian states of São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina with Chilean ports such as Iquique, Mejillones, and Antofagasta.
These infrastructure works are expected to be completed by 2026 , during the current term of President Lula , and it is considered that they will facilitate the export of minerals from the Argentine provinces of Salta, Jujuy and Catamarca to Asian markets, such as China .
It is worth noting that Brazil accounts for the majority of Chilean foreign investment, while Brazilian companies are present in key sectors of the Chilean economy , from energy to mining.
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