I am pleased to announce today the appointment of Mr Peter John Spenceley
Mason as Australia's Honorary Consul in Rio de Janeiro, with jurisdiction
throughout the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mr Mason has a degree in business administration from the Catholic University
of Rio de Janeiro. He joined the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
Ltd in 1988, and is currently Group Representative and Country Head. Mr
Mason has a strong business background and is well placed to assist Australian
commercial interests in the region.
Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's second largest city. It was Brazil's capital
from 1889 to 1960 and continues to be the main tourist attraction and cultural
capital of the country. Rio de Janeiro has traditionally headquartered
some of the major sectors of the Brazilian economy including oil, mining,
electric energy, tobacco, shipbuilding, data processing and telecommunications.
Australia and Brazil enjoy a long tradition of cooperation in a range of
international forums. We have common goals in diverse areas such as agricultural
trade reform and nuclear and disarmament issues. Our bilateral trade over
the past year totalled A$809 million. Two way trade has been growing and
diversifying in recent years and there is considerable potential for expanded
commercial links. The appointment of the Honorary Consul in Rio de Janeiro
will assist in realising this potential.
The Australian Consulate is located at:
Australian Consulate
Avenida Nilo Pecanha 50
Grupo 810 20.044-900
Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil