São Paulo – Fórum Terraviva Novos Negócios [Terraviva New Business Forum] brought together female executives linked to agribusiness to discuss the sector this Tuesday (8) when International Women’s Day is celebrated, and the topics included the role of Arab women in the field. In addition to the Terraviva channel, which belongs to the Bandeirantes Group, the event was broadcast live on YouTube.
Alessandra Frisso (pictured above), president of WAHI – Women who Inspire – the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) women’s committee, brought the Arab reality to the discussion. Frisso is also a board member at the ABCC and H2R Pesquisas Avançadas. At the Terraviva forum, the executive said there are opportunities for women in the sector, and they are at the forefront of agribusiness in Brazil and the Arab world.
“When we think of Arab countries, we are talking about 22 nations and a supply relationship in which we [Brazilians] are important food exporters and, on the other hand, their second sales destination. It is also our goal to inspire Arab and Brazilian women to get closer together. And we see a fantastic opportunity there. We see an increased presence of women on both sides, Arab countries and Brazil. We found female leadership in agribusiness is particularly important in both regions,” she said.
Journalist Lilian Munhoz moderated the debate and recalled the role of institutions such as the ABCC in expanding Brazil’s export basket. “The ABCC has been doing an important work in opening new businesses,” said the journalist. Frisso recalled the institution takes businessmen and businesswomen to global events such as Gulfood, a food and beverage sector show which featured an ABCC booth this year.
Another participant, Sheilla Albuquerque, Business vice president of AgroGalaxy, said she believes in the importance of Brazilian agribusiness investing in a transition to regenerative agriculture through innovations such as bio-inputs and other techniques. “At this moment, when we are talking about fertilizers, it is important to use them rationally, only where necessary,” said Sheila Albuquerque. AgroGalaxy is a retail platform for agriculture inputs and services aimed at Brazilian agribusiness.
Fernanda Hoe, director-general of animal health company Elanco; Cristina Gutierrez, president of the Brazilian Association of Mangalarga Marchador Horse Breeders (ABCCMM); Maria Cristina Bertelli, executive director of Terraviva channel; Carla Freitas, president of the Women’s Agribusiness Nucleu also spoke at the forum. Vanusia Nogueira, director of the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA) and executive director elected of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), participated with a video message.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro