São Paulo – Arab ambassadors to Brazil are currently visiting the state of Amazonas to make contact with government officials and private sector representatives. Last Monday and yesterday (4), they met with the governor Omar Aziz, visited the Superintendence of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (Suframa) and the Federation of Industries of the State of Amazonas (Fieam). The group includes diplomats from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Palestine, Kuwait, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Mauritania, Oman, Morocco, Qatar, Lebanon, Tunisia, and the League of Arab States, and is being accompanied by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce CEO, Michel Alaby.
During the meeting with Aziz, investment opportunities were discussed. “It was the first ever official visit of Arab ambassadors to Amazonas,” says Alaby. “The governor stated that it was an opportunity for them to present their respective governments with an overview of the state of Amazonas, its biodiversity, the Free Trade Zone, and the sectors of the state’s economy with the greatest potential,” he adds. The Saudi ambassador, Mohamad Ali Kurdi, gave thanks and praised the state for having welcomed the youths who took part in the Saudi-Brazilian Youth Forum last June.
During their visit to the Suframa, the ambassadors became acquainted with the fiscal incentives granted to companies established in the Free Trade Zone, and discussed trade agreements. “The idea is to invite Suframa representatives to attend a trade show in the Arab world, so that they can get in touch with free trade zones in Arab countries,” says Alaby. The diplomats were invited to attend the International Fair of the Amazon, a multi-sectorial fair due October 26 to 29.
At the Fieam, the group was welcomed by the federation’s acting president, Atuardes Felix, and by members of the board. The diplomats watched a presentation on the region’s economy and on sustainable development policies in the Amazônia. In this regard, the dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors to Brazil, Ramez Goussous, who is the Jordanian ambassador, highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral partnerships between the state and the Arab countries.
“Further on, the Fieam will get in touch with the Arab Brazilian Chamber so we may outline a mission of businessmen from Amazonas to the Arab world,” says Alaby.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
