This thesis is an empirical study of the relationship between the most important business interest groups, associations and leaders and the principal foreign policy-making institutions in Brazil. By way of a survey and interviews with foreign policy and business elites, it compares official foreign policy priorities with those of the private sector. This topic expands the business - politics literature by examining how local interest groups, individual firms and their leaders participate in and impact foreign policy-making. My objective is to advance our understanding of the role played by business leaders and groups in defining Brazil's international agenda. I identify the key business organizations and individual business leaders who act as foreign policy entrepreneurs involved in the foreign policy debate. Additionally, this study measures the business community's satisfaction with Itamaraty, highlights demands for changes in trade promotion and international trade negotiations and identifies policy recommendations from the private sector