By Aliyu DANLADI
The Brazilian Envoy in Lagos said on Wednesday that its Embassy would issue more visas to Nigerians as commercial and people-to-people relations improved between Nigeria and Brazil.
The Consul-General of Brazil in Lagos, Amb Flavio Bonzanini, said in Lagos that his government was willing to increase its visas to Nigerians.
“We have the interest to foster the relations between our two countries. We have a very significant importance in Nigeria as the largest country in Africa and the most important economy on the continent.
“At the moment, we think that the issuance of visas to Nigerians will increase naturally, as our relations get better.
“There will be a natural way to increase visa issuance to Nigerians as more commercial and people-to-people relations increase between Nigeria and Brazil,’’ he said.
Bonzanini, who said the number of visas issued to Nigerians was gradually increasing, however, added that Nigerians had over the years received a low number of visas to Brazil.
He also said it was imperative for Nigerians to understand the requirements and processes for applying for visas to Brazil, for business, study, tourism and other purposes.
The consul-general said that his government had instructed the Consulate to always examine and investigate every visa applicant’s family and personal conditions, as provided in their information and documents.
“Nowadays, it is important to know that every country tries to examine each and every person who wants to visit their countries.
“We have instructions from our government to examine, for instance, what Nigerians seeking visas to Brazil will be doing, where they will stay and whether they have sufficient means to travel to Brazil.
“We are very careful in handling visa applicants who fulfill the necessary items and need to receive visas to Brazil. We also know how expensive it is to live or visit Brazil,’’ he said.
Nigeria and Brazil signed a strategic trade agreement in Abuja last year, under which the two nations are expected to develop economic relations in the next decade, particularly in Agriculture, technology and culture.
