São Paulo – The new ambassador of Sudan to Brasília, Abd Elghani Awad Elkarim, wants to promote a seminar in 2010 to promote the business opportunities existing in his country. The diplomat, who was yesterday (16) at the offices of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, in São Paulo, said that Brazil has much to offer the African-Arab country.
“Brazil has many success stories in several sectors. Sudan is a developing country and may benefit from the Brazilian know-how and technology in several fields,” said Elkarim. According to him, the best way to bring both countries closer together is to create partnerships and joint ventures between private and state-owned companies.
According to the ambassador, both countries have similarities. Brazil is the largest country in territorial coverage in South America and Sudan, the largest in Africa. “Both are characterized by great ethnic, racial, cultural and religious diversity,” he added. Elkarim also recalled that both countries have expressive agricultural sectors.
“Sudan is an agricultural country like Brazil and I believe that we may exchange experiences,” said the ambassador, who also recalled that the first ethanol mill in the country was equipped with Brazilian machinery. “This year we have already started exporting ethanol,” he said.
From January to November, Brazilian exports to Sudan totalled US$ 82.14 million, against US$ 49.49 million in the same period last year. “Trade is growing very much between both countries and we hope that it may grow further,” said Elkarim. The main products shipped to the Arab country were sugar, tobacco, agricultural machinery and tractors.
On the other hand, Sudan exported to Brazil a total of US$ 44,900, against US$ 183,000 from January to November 2008. Plants for perfumery and medicinal use and gum Arabic were the products imported by Brazil. According to the ambassador, Sudan is open to Brazil and ready for closer ties.
The diplomat also added that the Ministries of Foreign Relations of both countries have been working for cooperation in the cultural, energy, agricultural, investment, education, industry and sports areas. “Brazil represents hope to Sudan and is an example for us,” said Elkarim, who praised president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government for the attention and respect granted to the Arab world.
Before taking on the embassy in Brazil, Elkarim had spent seven years as the charges d’affairs at the embassy of Sudan to Canada, also having been the delegate to the United Nations, in Geneva, Syria and Chad.
*Translated by Mark Ament