Discurso proferido pelo Sr. Secretário de Comércio Exterior e Assuntos Econômicos do MRE, Embaixador Sarquis J. B. Sarquis, por ocasião do evento de lançamento do “D4D Hub for LAC”

I would like to thank the Slovenian Presidency [of the Council of the European Union], as well as the European Commission, for inviting Brazil to the launch of the Digital4Development Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean.

This is a step forward to our joint efforts to intensify the traditional multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation between our two regions in the field of digital transformation.

Brazil fully embraces the enormous potential for digital transformation, both in the private and public sectors. Digital technologies provide the tools for a profound transformation in government services, competitiveness and productivity, as well as for social empowerment and inclusion.

Digital Government is a good example of the positive impacts of digitization. With the automation in the provision of services, we can substantially reduce costs and make citizens’ lives better. Moreover, we can monitor the services offered and formulate improvements, so as to make the relationship between the State and citizens closer and more transparent.

Brazil is proud of the fact that, in 2018, the OECD recognized the progress made by our digital transformation strategy. The organization´s Digital Government Index 2019 placed Brazil 16^th, with a composite score higher than the OECD average. Two years later, I am glad to say that Brazil's [Digital Transformation] Strategy went even further. We have already digitized 72% of the services provided by the Brazilian government through our “gov.br” platform.

International collaboration is also an important component of our digital transformation. Brazil has sought to expand and strengthen its engagement with several partners and organizations. We particularly value and play an active role in OECD’s Committee on Digital Economy Policy – CDEP.

The same applies to the work developed by the G20. There, we share the belief that digital transformation can boost productivity, strengthen recovery, and help support broad-based prosperity. That is why we endorse the G20 Menu of Policy Options on Digital Transformation and Productivity Recovery.

The EU is certainly one of our main partners on digital transformation and digital economy, at both bilateral and multilateral levels. The launch of the D4D Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean will bring additional opportunities for our already significant cooperation. You can count on our support to make it a success.

Thank you very much.