Sao Paulo Nov. 12, 2009. Israeli President Shimon Peres began his visit to Brazil with the aim of increasing economic cooperation, debating the increased Iranian presence in the continent, and strengthening political and strategic ties with countries in the region. President Peres is the first visit by an Israeli president to Brazil in 40 years, and it comes at an important time, that is, a few weeks prior to the trips of both Iranian President Mahmoud Anmadinejad and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.President Peres brought a delegation of 40 business leaders in order to sign significant economic agreements with Brazil, which will foster increased cooperation between both nations, especially in the defense area. A handful but noisy pro-Arab demonstrators caught the attention of the passers-by on the sidewalk outside Fiesp, The Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo, while President Peres addressed Brazilian and Israeli industrialists and economists in the auditorium. During his address, he stressed that the city of Sao Paulo is not merely the industrial and business hub for the region, but is fast becoming an entrepreneurial magnet for the whole world. In his view, President Peres also mentioned that Brazil can benefit greatly from Israeli technology. He went on to say that five industrial sectors should provide positive outcomes for both Israel and Brazil: new energies, stem cell research, water use and purification, teacher training and defense. Questioned by an Israeli reporter why a giant such as Brazil should bother about establishing economic trade agreements with countries small as a pea, Paulo Skaf, president of Fiesp, was quick to emphasize that, although fifty times smaller than the state of Sao Paulo, Israel is a very important potential market for Brazilian commodities, furniture and textiles. President Skaf also reminded the audience about the support given by Fiesp to the Mercosur-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiation and political process; and that Brazil expected to receive Israeli investments in infrastructure in the near future. SAO PAULO, 21 November 2008 - Brazil recalled its ambassador from Ecuador, escalating a diplomatic dispute over that country's decision to suspend payments on a $320 million loan. "Whoever knows diplomatic practices knows exactly what this means," Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said right after the closing of the First International Conference on Biofuels in Sao Paulo."The Brazilian government has received with serious concern the news of the Ecuadorean government's decision to file suit ... to seek a suspension of payments on its debt with the BNDES," Minister Amorim said in a statement. He also stated that, "We have wide cooperation with Ecuador and we will examine this cooperation in light of these decisions."Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said Thursday that he "had taken legal measures" to suspend the payment of $460 million debt to Brazil, alleging the terms are unlawful.Ecuador's decision is "not in harmony with the spirit of dialogue, friendship and cooperation between our two countries," Amorim told the delegates at the International Conference on Biofuels. (more on the Conference on Biofuels can be found on: File "BIOCOMBUSTIVEIS - 1a Conferencia Internacional Sao Paulo", on www.flickr.com/photos/vascopress )