São Paulo – The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce brought together representations of around 30 associations and government bodies last week to join forces to meet the Arab demands that have arisen during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Around a month ago, the Arab Chamber established a strategic trade committee to meet the Arab supply needs and, due to the increasing volume of orders, asked the entities to be part of the initiative.
The idea is forming a wide support front for the Arab market, focusing on diversifying suppliers and products sold, specially those with a higher value-added. “The COVID-19 scenario has caused a readjustment in the food security policies of the Arab countries. The Arab Chamber now receives new demands from these countries, as they started asking for more new products,” Arab Chamber president Rubens Hannun (pictured above) said in the online meeting with the associations.
Due to the supply concerns, the Arab governments invested in stockpiling and asked for the Arab Chamber’s support. The initial demand from some governments and public bodies led the Chamber to establish the committee, which in turn, besides receiving incoming orders, started looking out for new demands from the countries. The initial search, which was more focused on commodities, expanded to include other types of products. Increase diversification and adding value became the committee’s goal.
“Thus, now we invite you to be part of this strategic committee, which, besides agribusiness, will include all sectors that have worked intensely in the Arab countries and are strategic for the national industry, ranging from cosmetics to healthcare,” Hannun told the attending representatives of the associations. “It’s our understanding that the current scenario means several opportunities for us to work even harder,” he added.
“We’ve established the strategic committee, and the ordered products started diverting from commodities and including citrus, cosmetics, hand sanitizers, hospital products, disposable gloves, medicines,” Arab Chamber head of the International Office in Dubai Rafael Solimeo said during the meeting. Several Arab countries are reopening up their retail sector, and Solimeo explains that the consumption, which was mainly focused on the supermarkets, now includes more value-added products.
Arab Chamber commercial manager Daniella Leite said that the idea is gathering all kinds of companies to meet the demands, from the largest to the smallest ones. Those that don’t have enough production volume to serve one order on their own can do it by cooperating with others. The Arab Chamber wants the associations to bring companies from their industries to meet the demands. “We decided to bring you together to see how we can work faster,” Leite said in the online meeting.
“The important thing in this phase is connecting companies and countries through the demands. That every entity can distribute the demands to their members, so that we can have a more value-added trade. The Arabs are ready to buy more value-added products from Brazil,” Arab Chamber secretary-general Tamer Mansour said in the meeting.
Since its establishment, the committee has received orders from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait and Sudan, and products include sugar, soybeans, dairy, rice, maize, powdered milk, citrus, poultry, beef, animal feed, fish, etc.
The meeting was attended by the Special Secretariat of Foreign Trade (SECINT), Foreign Trade Chamber (CAMEX) and the Foreign Trade Secretariat (SECEX) of the Ministry of Economy; the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), SP Negócios, Brazilian Agriculture Confederation (CNA); and Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (ABIEC).
The online meeting was also attended by representations of the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), Brazilian Association of Food and Beverage (ABBA), Brazilian Fruit Growers-Exporters Association (Abrafrutas), Brazilian Defense and Security Industries Association (ABIMDE), Brazilian Association of Fashion Designers (ABEST), and the Brazilian Association of Olive Oil Producers, Importers and Traders (OLIVA).
It was also attended by Brazilian Association of Fine Chemistry Industries (ABIFINA); Brazilian Association of Industries of Medical, Dental, Hospital and Laboratory Equipment (ABIMO); Brazilian Manufacturers Association of Biscuit, Pasta and Industrialized Bread & Cakes (ABIMAPI); Brazilian Dairy Association (Viva Lácteos); and Brazilian Food Industry Association (ABIA).
It was also attended by Brazilian Association of Auto Parts Manufacturers (Sindipeças); Local Alcohol Production Arrangement (APLA); Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ); Brazilian Association of the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Industry (Abihpec); Brazilian Soluble Coffee Industry Association (ABICS); Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (Abit); and Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA).
It was also attended by Brazilian Association of Infrastructure and Basic Industries (Abdib); Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados); Brazilian Machinery Builders’ Association (ABIMAQ); Brazilian Association of Ceramic Tiles Manufacturers, Sanitary Ware and Related Products (Anfacer); Brazilian Grain Exports Association (ANEC); Brazilian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association (ABINEE).
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
