São Paulo – Delegations from four Arab countries participated in the 6th IDB Brasil Exhibition, which took place last week in Brasília to show Brazilian security and defense products and services. Representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt visited the show. Arab nations composed the majority among the six foreign missions at the event. Pictured above, the vice president of Brazil, Hamilton Mourão (left), with a member of the Egyptian mission.
IDB Brasil was organized by the Brazilian Association of Defense and Security Industries (Abimde), with support from the Brazilian federal government, and had 82 exhibitors, including the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). The show only receives Brazilian exhibitors to present visitors the strength of the national industry in the segment.
In addition to the six international delegations, military attachés and foreign ambassadors based in Brazil were at the show, according to the director of Projects and Institutional Relations at Abimde, Paulo José Albuquerque Campos.
Albuquerque claims the Arab participation reflected the strong relationship the sector is establishing with the region. This year, led by Abimde, the Brazilian security and defense industry has already participated in three shows in Arab countries, Idex and Dubai AirShow, in the UAE, and Milipol, in Qatar. “We went to the Arab region, and they came to visit us,” said the executive as an example of this relationship.
All the Arab delegations at the show comprised officials, government representatives, and ministers. “We had a great participation; it was very positive for Abimde and its members,” said Albuquerque. To welcome the Arab delegations, Abimde prepared a prayer space for Muslims, indicating the direction of Mecca (Qibla) and a place to store shoes.
The Institutional Relations manager of the ABCC, Fernanda Baltazar, represented the organization at the show. “For the ABCC, the participation was essential to understand the show and the sector’s demands towards the Arab countries. In addition, the ABCC is a partner of Abimde in the many actions the association is carrying out in the Arab world and Brazil, to foster partnerships and strengthen ties between the regions,” said Baltazar to ANBA.
In addition to defense and security
Albuquerque believes at IDB Brazil the Arabs could get to know the national industry better. As in most sectors, but especially in this one, deals usually need some relationship time to occur. The show presented what this sector represents is in Brazil, established as a technology supplier for several areas, not just defense.
The Abimde executive called the industries suppliers of dual technology, serving the civil and military market. This is the case for the production of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles UAVs, which are also used for agribusiness and inspection of dams, and even aircraft such as the Embraer KC-390 freighter, which, in addition to military use, can be used to transport other products, such as parcels and mail.
The sector also includes products not usually directly related to defense and security, such as health. Military forces have hospitals and need equipment and medication to supply them. To equip these health facilities, the Brazilian Association of Medical Device Industries (Abimo) was one of the exhibitors at IDB Brasil and institutions from other segments.
The IDB Brasil Exhibition occurred from December 7 to 9 at the Ulysses Guimarães Conventions Center. In addition to the exhibition of products and services, the event was attended by authorities, including the vice president of Brazil, Hamilton Mourão, and had meetings between officials and specialists discussing the segment.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
