Andre Odenbreit Carvalho, Consul General, Consulate General of Brazil in Miami

In an interview with Invest:, Andre Odenbreit Carvalho, consul general of the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami, discussed Florida trade with Brazil, which totaled $23 billion in 2023. He also highlighted the impact of Brazilian tourism on the local economy. “We are traditionally the third major source of tourists visiting Florida, and we have maintained that position,” he said.

What have been some major highlights over the past 12 months for your office?

Initially, I thought it would be difficult to surpass the achievements of my early months here. During that period, we opened a consular post in Orlando, welcomed a visit from the president of Brazil, and hosted the foreign minister shortly after. Additionally, we managed the second-largest Brazilian election abroad, as Florida holds the second-largest concentration of Brazilian voters, second only to  Portugal. I expected a slowdown, but that did not happen. Southern Florida, particularly Miami, offers continuous opportunities for the consulate’s work. The demand for consular services remains high. One of our key challenges has been ensuring efficiency, and I am proud to say that we significantly reduced waiting times for services. We implemented internet-based processes for consular services during the pandemic, which have become our new standard. People now only need to visit the consulate if legally required to do so according to the service they require. Otherwise, everything can be handled online and by mail, including payment options.

We became the first Brazilian consulate in the world to offer payment by debit card on our online system. This innovation, coupled with our new streamlined processes, has been well-received by the Brazilian community. We even began monitoring customer satisfaction metrics and saw a significant improvement. 

What are the most in-demand services you offer as a consulate?

In a peak month, we issue over 1,000 Brazilian passports, and we have managed this high demand with improved efficiency. Opening a consulate in Orlando helped contain what could have been an overwhelming surge in demand, but Miami still remains very busy. Beyond consular services, we have focused on promoting Portuguese language education in Southern Florida. This is crucial because living abroad can often pull new generations away from their linguistic roots and their national culture. We have collaborated with county authorities, local school boards, and schools to integrate Portuguese as an elective or extracurricular activity. The community’s response has been very positive.

Women’s issues have been a major focus for us. Unfortunately, we encounter serious cases like domestic violence, human trafficking, and family disputes. To better support victims, we recently launched the “Brazilian Women’s Space” initiative, a dedicated team to enhance the psychological and legal support offered by the consulate, as well as to foster female entrepreneurship. This is a new program, but it is already making a positive impact in assisting Brazilian women living in Florida.

Could you elaborate on the growth in trade and Brazilian investments in Florida?

Brazil remains Florida’s top global trade partner, with bilateral flows increasing by approximately $1 billion each year. In 2021, trade between Florida and Brazil was valued at $21 billion, rising to $22 billion in 2022, and now reaching $23 billion in 2023. One key area of growth has been Brazilian exports to Florida, which have increased significantly over the past year. This is a positive sign for both economies. 

In terms of investment, Brazilian companies are playing an increasingly important role in Florida’s economy. For example, Brazilians are notable investors in Miami real estate. We estimate that over 100 Brazilian companies are established in Florida, generating between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs. If we include U.S. companies founded by Brazilians living in Florida, that number would rise even more. Florida has become a stepping stone for Brazilian businesses looking to internationalize. It provides access not only to the United States but also to Latin America. Many major Brazilian banks have set up operations here with the intent of expanding into the broader region. This trend will likely continue to grow in the future.

What is the impact of Brazilians living in Florida, particularly in the tourism sector?

The tourism sector has benefited significantly from Brazilians. We are traditionally the third major source of tourists visiting Florida, and we have maintained that position. The number of Brazilian tourists is coming back to pre-pandemic levels. The tourist and permanent communities feed off each other. Many Brazilians who visit as tourists eventually decide to invest in real estate here, and some later choose to live in Florida. The Brazilian presence is growing throughout the state, but especially in Orlando and the Miami-Dade and Broward areas, and this trend is likely to continue. 

How does Miami’s position as a gateway to Latin America influence technological collaboration between Brazilian innovators and local tech companies?

Over the last 12 months, we have seen new growth in science, technology, and innovation due to a demand for exactly this connection. We did not have a dedicated science and technology sector at the consulate in Miami before, but we were receiving more queries from Brazil about the local landscape in these sectors, especially questions about venture capital and startups. Miami has emphasized its focus on these areas, and events like the annual eMerge Americas conference are drawing more Brazilian participation. As a result, we decided to establish a science and technology sector at the consulate, and we are now connecting local and Brazilian players. This exchange of venture capital between Florida and Brazil is a significant step towards deepening our ties.

Miami, while a newer hub in science and technology when compared to places like Silicon Valley, is growing rapidly. Miami was ranked 31st globally as a startup ecosystem just a few years ago, and it is now 16th. The growth rate here is impressive. Miami’s appeal lies in its visibility and unique position as a bridge to Latin America, offering a competitive advantage to those who want to collaborate with the region. And so, Brazilians are using this to establish and expand startups, while forming connections with local and international partners.

What would you say are your top priorities for the next couple of years, particularly in supporting Miami’s economic environment?

Our focus moving forward will be on consolidation rather than expansion. We have created new areas within the consulate and brought in people to start these operations, so now it is about ensuring that we can deliver on what we have built. Looking at the future, I believe the Brazilian community in South Florida will become more self-aware and engaged in economic, cultural, social, and even political life. When you compare the Brazilian community with other Latin American communities in Southern Florida, we are more recent. This means the Brazilian community has not yet fully developed its internal connections. However, local authorities are becoming more aware of the community’s presence and contributions. 

 This will lead to greater visibility for the community and an opportunity to propose initiatives, including in the context of broader Floridian society. The consulate will play a direct role in this, but ultimately, it is the community that will define how it grows and what it wants to achieve.