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Mr. Luciano Barbosa de Lima is PREX Global Network (PGN) member who participated in the course on “Developed Market Oriented Export Promotion Strategy/Marketing Strategy (A)” in 2022 online which was entrusted by JICA.
He is a Specialist in Export and Investment Promotion at the Department of World Expos and Special Projects at the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), and is now especially working as Pavilion Liaison Officer for the Expo 2025 Osaka.
He also has been the counterpart to implement online seminars for Brazilian companies by utilizing ‘The Seminar Implementation Support Program for PREX Global Network’ in JFY 2022 and 2023.

(Please refer to the articles from PREX website)

https://www.prex-hrd.or.jp/en/training/p6661/
https://www.prex-hrd.or.jp/en/training/p6634/

We are so excited to share his amazing story of his career path and perspective on his life.

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Topic1: Introduction
Question) How have you reached your current job in ApexBrasil from your previous job, major in the college and the experience of your childhood etc.?

PREX: Luciano, thank you very much for this opportunity. I’m very curious how you have reached your current job in ApexBrasil from your previous job or major in the college or the maybe even the experience of your childhood.

Luciano:
To join ApexBrasil, you must pass a public exam. ApexBrasil provides us with the opportunity to work intensively in the context of global interconnection, which has been interesting to me since my childhood.
Living in Ecuador as a teenager, during the fragile peace following the conflict with Peru, exposed me to the raw realities of conflict zones. Witnessing political instability, with ten presidents in just a few years, left a profound impression, igniting my lifelong mission to understand and contribute to positive global change. This journey began in my childhood, sparked by a fascination with international relations, development, and conflict resolution.

Following Ecuador, my time in Germany exposed me to stark contrasts in the global landscape. After that, I returned to Brazil, and I decided to pursue a degree in international relations in Brasilia focusing on development countries and post-conflict context. I went deeper with this thematic by continuing to study other academic degrees related to political economy focusing on international development.

During my Master’s and Ph.D. studies, I gained diverse international experiences across continents (South America, Central America, North America, Europe, Asia and Africa), from New York to Dili (Timor-Leste), the world’s youngest nation and a post-conflict territory.In New York, I worked for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

I lived in Spain for five years, where I also had the opportunity to have consultancy works in Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Ecuador and El Salvador and Guinea-Bissau.

Following these international experiences, I returned to Brazil in 2011 to contribute to its international cooperation efforts, particularly in South-South partnerships. Most of these partnerships were with JICA, the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

I also contributed to the Ministry of Environment, focusing on sustainable forest management, which is closely linked to Amazon protection. These experiences provided a solid foundation in understanding the global economic dynamics and the significance of strategic partnerships, ultimately preparing me for my current role.

Currently, I work at ApexBrasil, the official Brazilian trade and investment agency, which contributes to Brazil’s economic growth through international trade. I believe that region-based international trade is essential for economic growth, both within Brazil and globally. The unique environmental experiences and products of Brazilian regions, such as organic superfoods, offer valuable opportunities for the world.

Topic 2: Current Job
Question) What kind of projects are you concerned with now?

PREX: I’d like to move to the next topic because this is very related to your background and current job. What kind of projects are you concerned with and what makes you happy with your current job or what might be the challenges?

Luciano:
I’m currently involved in key projects within the Department of World Universal Exhibitions and Special Projects. These projects focus on promoting Brazilian products and services internationally, attracting investment and enhancing Brazil’ global image.

One of my main responsibilities now is programming events of the Brazilian pavilion in World Expos, including our participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka. At these events, we connect Brazilian content with the public and facilitate partnerships between Brazilian companies and institutions and global partners. This goes beyond business; it’s an opportunity to convey a message to the 28 million visitors, who will primarily be families consuming general content. We aim to present Brazil’s diverse regional realities, fostering better understanding and connection.

Our Department is in charge special projects, like the Brazilian House at the Olympic Games in Paris. As for Expo before Osaka, we had the Dubai 2020 Expo. I lived in Dubai for eight months and it was an amazing experience. Just to have an idea of the event in Dubai, there was 192 countries with their own pavilion.

This provided the opportunity to interact daily with diverse people from around the world. Each day was a valuable experience of sharing knowledge and perspectives. World Expos are also closely related to international cooperation, as they offer a platform for debating various themes for the future of society.

PREX: Related to that, what kind of things make you happy in your job?

Luciano:
Collaborating to create a better world. I appreciate the opportunity to engage with diverse cultures and perspectives, united by the common goal of a brighter future. Through partnerships, we showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations that shape our future. This collaborative effort is what brings me joy.

PREX: Will you have such opportunities to share the vision of SDGs among many other countries?

Luciano:
During the planning phase for the Expo, we collaborate closely with international partners responsible for programming. We discuss thematic opportunities, and during the Expo, Brazilian SDGs experts in health and other themes will engage in technical discussions with their international counterparts.
During the Expo, those specialists will be face to face and be discussing building new perspectives for the future. We facilitate these discussions by providing the necessary context.

PREX: Amazing. I totally agree with your vision that you want to make things together to make a better world with your happiness.
But sometimes it’s a little bit difficult to keep the vision while we face the daily work and we have to face many challenges.
It’s very important to have such a vision and ideal perspective to make a better world. How do you deal with that?

Luciano:
I think that it’s important to wake up each day feeling inspired, seeking to be engaging and innovative. I thrive outside of comfort zones, driven to create something impactful.
This is my daily approach, my constant perspective. To maintain productivity, I prioritize daily and weekly planning. I set achievable weekly goals, which bring me a sense of accomplishment.
Ultimately, dreams guide our lives. While challenges arise, I view them as opportunities for growth. Clarity of vision is essential in pursuing those dreams.

Topic3: Future Vision
Question) What do you want to accomplish through your career in the future?

PREX: This might be directly related to the next topic. So, what do you want to accomplish through your career in the future? What is your dream, what is your vision and what guides you every day?

Luciano:
My primary aspiration is to improve lives throughout the world. This goal has driven me since my young age, particularly after facing conflict zones. I questioned how we could mitigate conflict and poverty, recognizing the potential of strategic partnerships. That’s why I focus on and believe in building collaborations, enabling us to amplify our impact.

In my current work, I’m inspired by potential international trade and economic development to alleviate poverty.
Looking ahead, I aim to assume more strategic roles and influence policy to implement development programs, both nationally and internationally.
These efforts can be pursued within ApexBrasil or other organizations, focusing on economic growth and poverty reduction in diverse regions. In Brazil, the north and northeast regions require particular attention, as they are less integrated with the rest of the country. By fostering development in these areas, we can also strengthen policies for sustainable forest management and environmental protection.

PREX: Well, I have felt your passion and clear vision. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing stories.

Luciano:
Thank you very much. This has been a great opportunity for reflection. Discussing our perspectives allows us to examine what drives us beyond the daily routine, what truly guides us towards our goals. This discussion has not only been an interview, but a chance to go deeper into my own perspectives and dreams.

END
(as of November 19, 2024)