Read the interview with Hilton Nascimento, who takes on the mission of consolidating the economic and social relevance of Brazil-Canada relations
By Marcelo Picolo
Hilton Reche Nascimento, an electronic engineer with an MBA in business management, has just assumed the presidency of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (CCBC) for the 2025–2027 term. He brings with him extensive international experience and a mission to strengthen trade between the two countries while offering solid support to entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses abroad.
Much of Nascimento’s professional career has focused on advising those seeking to explore new markets. “Holding hands and walking side by side” with executives during financial crises and growth phases has been part of his daily work—and it is with this same commitment that he aims to support CCBC members.
Nascimento succeeds engineer, executive, and mentor Ronaldo Del Buono Ramos, who led CCBC from 2021 to 2025. Ramos will remain active in the institution as Vice President (meet the full board). The Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (CAM-CCBC) also has a new leadership team, which can be found here.
In this interview, the new president discusses the similarities between Brazilian and Canadian companies, the bilateral complementarities and business opportunities, and how he plans to use CCBC’s infrastructure to continuously improve its services for members, fostering the expansion of international relations.
What business opportunities can we identify in the current Brazil-Canada landscape?
Nascimento: First and foremost, it’s important to say that this is a great moment for trade agreements. Canada is seeking new markets due to recent changes in U.S. trade policies. Brazil also wants to assert its international role, especially as a leading country in Mercosur. Today, we are a major global player in agribusiness. There are many medium and small companies in Brazil—in the food and beverage sectors, mining, steel, and technology—with huge potential to explore foreign markets. There are many new opportunities, and we must stay alert and proactive.
You were part of the last administration as Commercial Director and now take over as president. What should we expect in terms of CCBC’s guidelines for the coming years?
Nascimento: CCBC has been on a consistent upward path. President Ronaldo Ramos, along with his predecessors, did an excellent job of establishing the Chamber as a key reference in international relations and paved the way for the future. Now, with the solid foundation we have, it’s time to make full use of our expertise and structure to advance even further in our core mission: to promote bilateral trade. More than ever, we will strongly support our members in growing their businesses. You can expect a highly active Chamber, relentlessly focused on economic development.
You have a long career in developing business in new markets. How does that experience contribute to CCBC’s services for members?
Nascimento: Out of my 40 years of professional experience, 26 were dedicated to creating new businesses and operations, as well as conducting corporate restructuring. Much of my career has been devoted to helping companies grow—setting up production units, training teams, building partnerships, or developing and implementing crisis recovery plans. I’ve done this for large multinationals and for startups in acceleration stages. I want to apply everything I’ve learned—together with the excellent team and structure already in place at CCBC—to help our members overcome challenges and grow internationally. If we are not already the largest Canadian chamber of commerce in the world, we are certainly among the top. Our focus will be business. We will use our know-how and tools to generate more and more opportunities for both Brazilian and Canadian companies.
Why should companies interested in expanding internationally become CCBC members?
Nascimento: At CCBC, executives will be immersed in a strong business ecosystem. Together, we will develop opportunities for trade agreements. Brazilian and Canadian companies share many similarities, and at the same time, they have needs that complement each other. Some come to us looking for raw materials, others for finished products. Brazil and Canada have this buy-and-sell symbiosis. This makes mutual understanding easier. And in both countries, you can speak directly with top executives to negotiate deals that are beneficial to both sides.
Does the Brazil-Canada Chamber’s Arbitration and Mediation Center (CAM-CCBC) strengthen CCBC’s position?
Nascimento: Absolutely. I’m proud to say that our Center for Arbitration and Mediation is recognized as one of the best in the world. We are a major global reference in this area. And we’re aiming even higher. We will continue promoting activities and communications so the Center can grow even more. It plays a vital role in resolving corporate and commercial conflicts quickly and effectively—directly contributing to economic development. Presidents Rodrigo Garcia da Fonseca, Silvia Rodrigues Pachikoski, and Ricardo de Carvalho Aprigliano have done an exemplary job, which will continue under the new administration.
