Republic of Kiribati

The Republic of Kiritabi is an archipelago located in the Pacific, near the Equator. It is a presidential republic with a population of around 115,000 people.

It became a  British protectorate in 1982 and gained its Independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.

The country’s economy is based on agricultura and fishery. Main products include coconut, banana, taro and tropical fruit. Remittances from nationals working abroad are an important source of income for the country.

The country is a member of the 1982 Nauru Agreement, which aims to promote the coordination and harmonization of tuna fishery management in the eight member countries. The issue is of great relevance to Pacific island countries, which depend to a greater or lesser extent on revenues from fishing licenses for foreign vessels to fund the government. In the case of Kiribati, 66 percent of government revenues in 2016 came from such licenses.

Brazil established diplomatic relations with the Kiribati in 2010. Bilateral rapprochement efforts were initiated in 2005, when Ambassador Arnaldo Carrilho made an official visit to the country. The Brazilian Embassy in South Tarawa is cumulative with the Brazilian Embassy in Wellington. Bilateral agreements have not yet been signed.

Trade exchange between Brazil and Kiribati is modest. In 2020, it reached a record high of $36.3 million, due to Brazilian exports of aircrafts. In 2021, it amounted to only $213 thousand, composed almost entirely of Brazilian exports of animal proteins.

Chronology of bilateral realtions

2010 – Diplomatic relations are established

2005 – Brazilian official mission to Kiribati