Isaura Daniel*
São Paulo – Representatives of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce end today (10) their participation in Project Jordan, a construction sector fair that takes place in Jordan, prepared to take Brazilian businessmen to the Arab country in 2007. "Next year we intend to return to some fair in Jordan with stronger presence," stated the secretary general at the Chamber, Michel Alaby, who participated in the event together with director Mustapha Abdouni. The idea is also, at that time, to organize a mission. This year, the Arab Brazilian Chamber had an institutional stand at the fair.
Participation in Project Jordan served to promote the Brazilian image and that of the Arab Brazilian Chamber in the country and also helped evaluate what is the best fair in Jordan to take Brazilian businessmen to. "The participation was positive for the promotion of the image of the Arab Brazilian Chamber," said Alaby. The two representatives made approximately 100 contacts with importers from the region. The information collected will be brought to Brazil and passed on to exporters. Among the interests, according to Alaby, were construction material, granite, furniture, tiles, wood, electric material, doors and decoration objects.
Jordan, according to the secretary general, is a great importer. "They import almost everything," said Alaby. Local production includes food products, phosphates and steel. Brazil is already one of the international suppliers of the Arab country. According to Alaby, in a visit to local supermarkets, he identified the presence, for example, of chocolates, sweets, biscuits and coffee sold under Brazilian brands. "They appreciate Brazilian products," explained the secretary general. Jordan has 5% to 10% import taxes on raw material and 10% to 30% tax on finished products.
Around 80 companies from the region exhibited at Project Jordan. Apart from the Jordanians, there were also companies from countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Emirates. Many were at the fair to promote and sell their real estate projects. The Arab Brazilian Chamber had a 36-square-metre stand at the event, which began on Monday (6) and ended today (10).
*Translated by Mark Ament
