German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle says Germany wants to strengthen economic ties with Brazil.

The foreign minister is on a week-long tour to Latin America, with Brazil as the last stop.

After a lunch with Brazilian entrepreneurs in Sao Paulo, Westerwelle gave a speech and said trade relations with Brazil were fruitful.

[Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister]:

“Our Latin American policy has a great tradition that unites Germany and the Latin American states in all senses. This combination may be seen through very concrete aspects.”

Trade between Brazil and Germany has grown some 185 percent from 2003 to 2008, jumping from $7.3 billion U.S. to $20.9 billion.

[Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister]:

“With a trade balance of nearly 20 billion euros, Germany is one of Brazil's most important trade partners and Brazil is Germany's main trade partner in Latin America. These close economic ties bring many benefits for both sides and we want to take advantage and develop that.”

Germany is Brazil's fourth trade partner with imports and exports adding up $16.1 billion dollars in 2009 alone.

Westerwelle has visited quake-stricken Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. He's set to visit Rio de Janeiro before returning to Germany.