Brazil mission to Southeast Asia strengthens trade and investment

Lula’s official agenda includes bilateral meetings and participation in strategic forums in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Between October 23 and 28, 2025, President Lula will carry out an official agenda in Southeast Asia, focusing on strengthening Brazil’s economic, political and trade relations with local countries and strategic partners. On his X profile (formerly Twitter), Lula posted on Tuesday, October 21:

“Departing for Asia, where I will carry out an official visit to Indonesia. Next, I will participate in the 47th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and the 30th East Asia Summit in Malaysia. With this mission, we take another important step to consolidate Brazil’s presence on the global stage, expanding the boundaries of our trade and our foreign relations.”

Lula – Brazil’s president

Indonesia: consolidated strategic partnership

In Jakarta, Lula will be received for a state visit on October 23 and 24, in reciprocation to the visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Brazil in July this year. The agenda prioritizes trade, agriculture, bioenergy, sustainable development and defense.

“Indonesia has been a strategic partner of Brazil since 2008 and is the third largest democracy in the world, the fourth most populous nation and the leading economy in ASEAN.”

Ambassador Everton Lucero – Director of the Department of India, South and Southeast Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bilateral trade registers a significant Brazilian surplus, and the agricultural and industrial sectors have shown consistent growth.

Malaysia: innovation and economic diplomacy

From October 24 to 28, Lula will be in Kuala Lumpur participating in the 47th ASEAN Summit (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Brazil-Malaysia Bilateral Forum. The focus is on energy, science, technology and innovation as well as strengthening political ties.

Lucero notes that the approach reflects convergence on global issues and elevates the Brazilian partnership with Malaysia to a more visible political level, with direct impact on trade and strategic investment.

Participation in international forums

Lula will be the first Brazilian head of state to participate in an ASEAN Summit on October 26 and 27 and in the 30th East Asia Summit on October 28, presenting Brazil’s vision on regional cooperation and economic resilience.

ASEAN brings together countries from Southeast Asia with the goal of ensuring political stability, promoting regional development and deepening economic integration. The bloc aims to consolidate a free trade zone and build unified foreign and customs policies among its members.

The East Asia Summit includes ASEAN countries and strategic partners such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, the United States, Russia and New Zealand, providing Brazil with a high-level forum to discuss global economic and diplomatic policies.

In Malaysia, the Brazilian president will also receive an honorary doctorate from the National University in recognition of his political career and his promotion of social inclusion and international cooperation.

Trade flows and strategic sectors

Bilateral trade between Brazil and Indonesia reached US$ 567.8 million in September 2025, with exports including soybean meal, crude oil, sugar and molasses.

With Malaysia, trade totaled US$ 487.2 million, highlighting Brazilian exports of US$ 346.4 million. Sectors such as mining, energy, sugar and ethanol, paper and pulp, tobacco and textiles record reciprocal investments.

ASEAN is currently Brazil’s fifth largest trading partner, accounting for more than 20 percent of the country’s trade surplus. With 680 million inhabitants and an aggregated GDP of around US$ 4 trillion, the region is central to Brazil’s economic strategy.

Conclusion: mission reinforces Brazil’s economic strategy

Lula’s official visit to Indonesia and Malaysia consolidates Brazil’s diplomatic and economic presence in Southeast Asia, diversifies trade and investments and strengthens the country’s role in international forums. The mission demonstrates that the relationship with the region is highly strategic for sustainable growth and Brazil’s integration into the Global South.

Information provided by Agência Brasil.