On February 18, 2022, the Department of Commerce published a Federal Register notice seeking applications to join the U.S. Section of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum for the 2022-2025 term. The application period will be open until April 1, 2022, and will seek to fill up to twelve (12) positions.

Launched in 2007, the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum consists of up to 24 CEOs from the United States and Brazil, who provide joint recommendations to the two governments to strengthen the U.S.-Brazil economic and trade relationship. The forum has successfully opened discussions between the United States and Brazilian governments on several important issues, including visa and tax reform, customs procedures, education, energy, defense trade, and infrastructure.

“As the United States’ ninth largest export market, Brazil offers American companies tremendous opportunities,” Secretary Gina M. Raimondo said. “The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum brings together business leaders to make recommendations directly to the United States and Brazilian governments that will support efforts to improve the business climate and commercial relationship between our countries.”

In 2020, U.S.-Brazil bilateral trade in goods reached nearly $58.5 billion with $35 billion in U.S. exports to Brazil and $23.3 billion in Brazilian goods imported by the United States. The two countries also have robust trade in services. According to the latest available data (2019), the United States exported $24.6 billion in services to Brazil, while importing services worth $6.8 billion. As of 2019, Brazil was the fifth fastest growing source of foreign direct investment in the United States.

The Department seeks to appoint U.S. Section members who represent a diversity of business sectors and geographic locations, consist of a range of small, medium, and large firms, and are reflective of the diversity of the U.S. population. The forum provides business leaders with the opportunity to impact the U.S.-Brazil trade relationship and improve conditions for doing business in Brazil. To qualify, a candidate must be a CEO or president (or have a comparable level of responsibility) of a U.S.-owned or -controlled company that is incorporated or otherwise organized in and has its main headquarters in the United States and that is currently doing business in both Brazil and the United States.

For additional information and to apply, please visit https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/18/2022-03519/request-for-applicants-for-appointment-to-the-united-states-brazil-ceo-forum