How Brazil Is Winning the Middle East Through the Stomach

Eggs from Brazil The complementarities between the economies of Brazil and of the Arab countries are becoming more and more evident, in the opinion of Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Antonio Sarkis Jr.

"Trade is already consolidated, and the Arabs must mainly import in the agricultural area, whereas Brazil has a natural talent to become one of the world leaders in this sector," he said during a press conference, July 8, in São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil.

He pointed out that Brazil already has important participation in the Arab food market, and the country has great need for fertilizers produced in the Middle East and North Africa.

Just to give an idea, Brazilian exports of foods to the region generated US$ 2.4 billion in the first half of this year, an increase of 21.41% over the same period last year.

Sarkis pointed out items like dairy products, whose exports grew 92% and reached US$ 48 million, eggs, whose shipments generated US$ 17.9 million, expansion of almost 2,000% and meats, whose sales totaled US$ 1.4 billion, 47% more than in the period from January to June 2007.

On the other lane, Fertilizers were the second item in the Brazilian import basket from the Arab nations in the first six months of this year, with purchases totaling US$ 359 million, growth of 220% over the first quarter in 2007. According to the Arab Brazilian Chamber, the Arabs import 90% of the food they consume and Brazil, 70% of the fertilizers it needs. That is an example of complementarity.

In this respect, the Chamber has been working more and more on reciprocal investment and partnerships between Brazilians and Arabs. "This is our main focus for the end of the year," stated Sarkis.

He recalled that total exports from the Arab countries generated US$ 809 billion last year, and imports, US$ 560 billion, generating a surplus of US$ 249 billion. "These are funds that were invested in infrastructure and in the improvement of the population's living conditions up to now," said the Arab Brazilian Chamber president.

Apart from agribusiness, the organization has been trying to promote business in the area of tourism, not just to bring Arab tourists to Brazil, but also to attract investment to the sector. The organization is establishing cooperation agreements with the ministries of Agriculture and Tourism.

Sarkis pointed out that an event that contributed to the increase of trade and opened possibilities for advances in economic relations was the creation of the direct flight between Dubai and São Paulo by Emirates Airline, now a daily route. "This has greatly simplified the life of businessmen and expanded reciprocal knowledge," he said.

Anba – www.anba.com.br

Tags:

You May Also Like

Brazil Vows Compensation to 250 Families Living in Indian Territory

Brazil’s National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) estimates that, in all, around ...

Lula Boasts Brazil’s Trade with South America Is as Big as the One with the US & EU

Talking to an audience of workers and members of one of Brazil’s biggest labor ...

Brazil Chosen by World Health Organization As Model in Psychiatric Treatment

A group of ten countries formed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to serve ...

Brazil-EU Summit to Be Held in Rio, in December

Brazil and the European Union are going o promote their second joint summit on ...

With Army Help Rio Takes Over “Heart of the Evil” in Clean-Up Effort for 2016 Olympics

Rio’s Public Security Secretary José Mariano Beltrame described the police raid on the Alemão ...

Brazil Calls Lebanon’s Rescue Operation a Success

The Brazilian Foreign Relations Minister Celso Amorim had a meeting with the Lebanese community, ...

Marriott Starts US$ 2 Million Program to Help Save Brazil’s Amazon

Brazil's Amazonas state and Marriott have signed an agreement to support a plan to ...

Indian Arrogance

What were the significant contributions of our native peoples to this place we call ...

Brazil Finds Clients for Its Expensive Toy Cars in Qatar

Fapinha, a Brazilian maker of mini vehicles for children, is going to export 150 ...

Sound Paparazzo

STOCK MARKET By Brazzil Magazine Born: Valinhos, São Paulo, August 6, 1910 Died: São ...