Kingdom of Belgium
Brazil and Belgium have historical ties of friendship and cooperation since the almost simultaneous independence of the two countries. Bilateral relations are anchored in shared values and dense trade and investment flows, which provide a solid basis for regular dialogue on opportunities for cooperation.
In 1920, the King of the Belgians, Albert I, made the first visit to Brazil by a foreign Head of State. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Belgian companies have played a prominent role in Brazilian industrialization, especially in the steel industry, which had the Belgian-Mineira Company (founded in 1921) as one of its pioneering ventures in the country.
Belgium was the 5th largest destination for Brazilian exports in Europe in 2019, ahead of traditional and major destinations such as France, the United Kingdom or Russia. The bilateral trade flow was estimated at $ 4.86 billion, with Brazilian exports of $ 3.203 billion and imports of $ 1.666 billion. The bilateral trade balance remained favorable to Brazil, reaching $ 1.536 billion. It was the 12th largest Brazilian surplus among all international partners.
Belgium has a regionalized organization, with three levels of government: federal, regional and linguistic community, which enables relationships with Brazil that are not limited to the federal level. For more than ten years, the Walloon regional government has maintained the office of its export and investment promotion agency (AWEX) in São Paulo. Recent Brazilian missions to Belgium have maintained direct contact with regional governments.
There are an estimated 48,000 Brazilians residing in Belgium, mainly in the cities of Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent. Brazilians residing in the country are assisted by the Consulate General in Brussels.
Chronology of bilateral relations
2019 – Army Commander, General Edson Pujol, visits Belgium
2019 – Bilateral Affairs Secretary of the Belgian Ministry visits Brazil
2018 – The Minister of Environment, Edson Duarte, visits Belgium. Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Fundação Pairi Daiza to bring 50 blue macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) to Brazil
2018 – The Minister of Agriculture, Blairo Maggi, visits Belgium
2017 – The Minister of Transport, Mauricio Quintella, visits Belgium
2015 – Visit of Minister Mauro Vieira to Brussels on the occasion of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting in preparation of the 2nd CELAC-EU Summit
2014 – Visit of President Dilma Rousseff to Brussels on the occasion of the 7th Brazil-European Union Summit
2013 – Visit of the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs, Didier Reynders, to Brazil
2011 – President Dilma Rousseff's visit to Belgium
2011 – Visit of Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota to Brussels
2010 – Prince Philippe's visit to Brazil, leading a Belgian business mission
2009 – Visit of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Belgium
1995 – President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's visit to Belgium
1965 – Visit of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola to Brazil
1958 – Participation of Brazil in the Brussels International Exhibition
1956 – President-elect Juscelino Kubitschek visits Belgium
1921 – Establishment of the Belgian-Mineira Mining and Metallurgical Company
1920 – Visit of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth to Brazil (first visit of a foreign Head of State to Brazil)
1911 – Establishment of the Banque de l'Union Belgo-Brésilienne
1886 – Establishment of Rio de Janeiro Gas Company (S.A. du Gaz de Rio de Janeiro)
1863 – Arbitration of King Leopold I in favor of Brazil in the "Christie question" (which opposed Brazil and the United Kingdom)
1834 – Trade and Navigation Treaty between the Empire of Brazil and the Kingdom of Belgium