Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Harper signs deals on air travel, pensions with Brazil

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signed on Monday, a trade agreement meant to give airlines more flexibility and provide expats with continuous social security benefits.

Brazil is a major global economic player and a key priority market for Canada,” Harper said in a statement. “These agreements will benefit both countries by promoting greater two-way flow of people, goods and services, enhancing our competitiveness and further strengthening our partnership in key areas of shared interest.”

The so-called Canada-Brazil Air Transport Agreement gives Brazilian and Canadian airlines greater access to markets in the other country by allowing them to use third-party airlines to fly into the country as well.

The new rights extended in the treaty are available immediately, but won’t officially come into force until the agreement is ratified in both countries.

Harper also signed an agreement on social security between Canada and Brazil that coordinates pensions, disability and survivor benefits between the two countries making the benefits available to Brazilians and Canadians who have lived or worked in the other country.

The agreement is also meant to cuts costs to businesses operating bilaterally. Canadian companies operating in Brazil will only be required to make Canada Pension Plan contributions for Canadian employees sent to Brazil, instead of making Brazilian social security contributions. The same applies to Brazilian companies operating in Canada.

Canada’s Olympic expertise will also cross the border thanks to an agreement signed by the two countries that paves the way for Canadians to help Brazil plan for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Harper and Rousseff also unveiled the Canada-Brazil Strategic Partnership Dialogue that will see the countries’ foreign ministers discuss how to further bilateral relationships.

The agreements are part of a four-country Latin America tour Harper is making. He will also visit Costa Rica, Columbia and Honduras.

Source: http://www.globalmontreal.com

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