Bilateral trade (export plus imports) between Brazil and the Arab countries was over US$ 8.1 billion in 2004. In spite of the increase of 49.7% in comparison to 2003 – much higher than the total increase in the Brazilian trade balance, which was of 31.2% -, the volume still does not represent the existing opportunities and may increase more.
This is the opinion of the chairman of the Jordanian Businessmen’s Association and the Arab Businessmen’s Federation, Hamdi Tabba’a.
“As Brazil is an economy that is complementary to that of the Arab countries, it is possible to diversify trade exchanges of food products, machinery, equipment, raw materials, as well as technology, especially in the agro-industrial and biotechnology areas, and in the field of joint projects in civil construction and industrial developments,” he said in an interview by email.
Tabba’a is the owner of Al-Tewfik Automobile & Equipment, which represents in Jordan brands such as Renault, Chrysler and Jeep, and was once the minister of Industry and Trade in his country.
He will lead a delegation of 49 Arab businessmen who will come to São Paulo, on the 14th and 15th of this month, to participate in business roundtables with representatives from Brazilian companies.
In his evaluation, in order to strengthen economic relations between Brazil and the Arab countries, the development of transport, including the creation of direct flights and the increase in the flow of vessels, is necessary.
“There are also good perspectives in the tourism sector, we could establish exchange of tourists coming from the Arab countries to Brazil, and from Brazil to the Arab countries,” he added.
The entrepreneur said, however, that the existence of a huge Arab colony in Brazil is a great advantage.
“There is a great need to increase our contacts and explore potentials for expanding trade, investment, tourism and cooperation in many fields between us.
“Brazil could easily serve as the focal point for an active Arab-Latin American relationship. We invite our partners in Brazil to consider joint ventures with their Jordanian and Arab counterparts,” he said.
The mission, which will focus mainly on buying, will have participants from Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.
According to Tabba’a, the delegation represents “prominent Arab businessmen in the fields of industry, commerce, agriculture, contracting, water treatment and telecommunications.”
In what concerns trade between Brazil and Jordan, he believes it is possible to diversify the exchange of products and technologies, and the same is true to all Arab countries.
The exports from Brazil to Jordan, according to information from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex), reached US$ 63.2 million last year, an increase of 70.6% in relation to 2003. Imports, on the other hand, were of US$ 411,400.
The main products sold by Brazil to the Arab countries are aluminium alloys, plates and strips, poultry, chassis with motors for automobiles, sugar and coffee. Brazil imports from Jordan basically pesticides and pharmaceutical products.
On the Brazilian side, he believes it is possible to diversify trade of various kinds of products and services. “Jordanian exports of medicine, Dead Sea products and fertilizers would have a good market in Brazil,” says Tabba’a. On top of that, the businessman added that his country offers incentives to foreign investments.
Opportunities in Iraq
He also stated that Brazilian businessmen may use Jordan as an export base to Iraq. “Using the special relations that Jordanian businessmen have with Iraqi businessmen, especially in the trade sector, exports to Iraq during 2004 reached US$ 436 million,” stated Tabba’a.
According to the businessman, his country has become a “hub of cooperation” for foreign companies interested in entering the Iraqi market.
“There are many opportunities in different sectors, such as contracting, food products, pharmaceutical products, water and irrigation, energy and electricity projects, as well as the information technology and communications sector,” he declared.
“Jordan is qualified to be the hub for such services to the Iraqi market. A great number of North American companies already have offices in Amman,” he added.
Contact
Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB)
Marketing of Foreign Trade Departments
Tel: (+55 11) 3283-4066
marketing@ccab.org.br
comex@ccab.org.br
ANBA ”“ Brazil-Arab News Agency
