Jorge Viana, the president of the Brazilian Agency for Promotion of Exports and Investments (ApexBrasil), is set to be the guest on Roda Viva, one of Brazil's most esteemed interview programs, airing live on October 24. The broadcast will start at 10 PM Brasília time and at 8 PM Acre time. Viana has promised to tackle several key issues during the interview, including export strategies, attracting investments, the current global trade war, and the Apex's initiatives at the Universal Expo in Osaka, Japan.
During his social media announcements, Viana stated, "Let's talk about exports, attracting investments, the global trade war, and the Apex's project in Osaka, at the Universal Expo, and, of course, about politics, which has a full menu." He emphasized the interview as a platform to share expectations, respond to public inquiries, and present future plans.
The Roda Viva program is known for its serious journalistic approach, featuring journalists from various media outlets who question high-profile guests on nationally relevant topics. Viana's discussion will not only reflect on past administrations but also propose forward-looking strategies for Brazil's economic enhancement.
Alexa Salomão, one of the program's reporters, plans to probe Viana about the economic policies of the past and the current challenges the country faces. This includes analyzing adjustments made during Fernando Haddad's tenure at the Ministry of Finance. Reflecting on Lula's presidency, Viana articulated, "Haddad is there, with great sacrifice, implementing the policies Brazil needs. I believe we are planting and making good harvests, and president Lula will be remembered for improving the quality of life for our people, economic growth, and transforming the economy."
Viana views the recently passed tax reforms during Lula's administration as significant achievements, stating, "Doing the tax reform we did, exempting economic activity across the country, was a fantastic move. Working to improve people's lives, as we are doing now, is also part of our reality. The inclusion of over ten million people—who were pushed to the poverty line—over two years is one clear sign of our success."
Another theme set for exploration during the interview involves Brazil's energy policies. Viana vocalized the need for quicker action from environmental regulatory bodies, advocating for prompt approvals for Petrobras's oil exploration project on Brazil’s Equatorial Margin. He commented, "We are already exploring oil, including deep water drilling—which carries high risks but has not had any accidents. So, who else do we have exploring out there? The largest oil companies in the world. I think the research should have been approved by now.”
Highlighting the pivotal role of oil exports for Brazil, Viana mentioned, "Oil is the most important product of Brazil's exports, generating substantial revenue for the Treasury." The discussion on energy isn’t solely limited to fossil fuels; Viana will also address green hydrogen—sustainable energy sourced from renewables. He illustrated the historical challenges Brazil faced with raw material exports, stating, "Brazil began exporting brazilwood, gold, diamonds, iron ore, and never succeeded by exporting material without processing it here."
The conversation is poised to include Brazil's potential within renewable energy markets and how the country aims to position itself among global competitors. Viana critically noted, "We have incredible energy matrices: solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectricity. But with global shifts, should we just export energy? To me, that's incorrect." The interview will also highlight Brazil’s strategic advantages as new data centers are on the rise, emphasizing the country's capability to supply energy to these high-demand infrastructures.
Listeners can catch the broadcast live on TV Cultura, as well as on the program’s webpage and numerous social media platforms such as YouTube, Tik Tok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. The program promises a comprehensive and enlightening discussion on fundamental issues within Brazil, reinforcing Roda Viva's reputation for facilitating important national dialogues.