Dubai – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo this Saturday (13) in Dubai. The document was signed by the secretary-general of the ABCC, Tamer Mansour, and the undersecretary for International Business and Investment of the state of Espírito Santo, Gabriel Martins Feitosa. Pictured above, left to right, Feitosa, Mansour, and the New Businesses manager for the state of Espírito Santo, Christiane Menezes.
The purpose of the MoU is to reaffirm the relationship between the state and the entity and outline the parameters they intend to cooperate in areas such as education, economic development, sustainability, technological innovation, and cultural exchange. The intention is also to facilitate the exchange of experts and technical visits and expand the dialogue between the parties.
Feitosa said the state could become a logistical hub for exports to the Arab countries, spoke about the internationalization of companies from Espírito Santo and the possibilities for Arab investment in the state. “We have a set of tax incentives to bring a lot of competitiveness to the state,” he said. Companies such as Marcopolo, Brinox, and Britânia are established in Espírito Santo. According to Feitosa, there are opportunities for investment and exports, mainly in the stones and specialty coffee sectors. The Port of Vitória exports around 90% of Brazilian granite.
Mansour said the ABCC is eager to work on the state’s exports to the Arab countries. “We can set up a granite showroom here in Dubai,” he suggested. According to the secretary, there are free zones in the UAE dedicated to ornamental stones, as in Ras Al Khaimah.
He also mentioned envisioning opportunities for Espírito Santo not only in the UAE but also in other neighboring countries, such as Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Mansour suggested the state of Espírito Santo could bring a mission to the UAE in February or March next year to carry out a roadshow across the region with visits to those countries. The secretary-general also spoke on the possibility of a visit by Arab ambassadors to Brazil to the state of Espírito Santo next year.
“I really believe this partnership can generate good results. Espírito Santo is an uncut gem; the opportunities are endless,” said Feitosa. He invited Mansour to visit Espírito Santo and encouraged the ABCC to open a branch office in the state.
The meeting was attended by the head of the ABCC’s international office in Dubai, Rafael Solimeo; New Business director, Daniella Leite; and Institutional Relations manager, Fernanda Baltazar.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro