São Paulo – The Arab world is a topic of interest to International Relations students in Brazil. Mauá Institute of Technology undergraduate students visited the offices of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce this Wednesday (3) and displayed curiosity regarding the region. Some are considering seeking professional opportunities in connection with Arab countries.
Despite being in her freshman year at the Institute, 18-year-old Maria Eduarda de Oliveira (pictured above), who was one of the visitors, is positive about pursuing a career in foreign trade. She envisions being in export-import management and considers doing so with a focus on the Arab world.
Hearing Arab Chamber president Osmar Chohfi discuss Brazil-Arab trade only piqued her interest further. “This food security issue is really important,” said Maria Eduarda. Chohfi said Brazil is a key food security partner to Arab countries, which source a fair share of their food needs from Brazil. “Some of Brazil’s steadiest relations these days are those with the Arab world. When it comes to trade, they are traditional clients,” the student told ANBA.
Another visiting student, Maria Eduarda Engersen, age 18, aspires to an International Relations role representing Brazil in other countries. Her plans include humanitarian and nongovernment organization work, but the Arab world is also on her radar. She became deeply interested in the subject as a result of visiting the Arab Chamber, and hopes to learn more about the region, especially Egypt.
IR students at the Arab Chamber
The Arab Chamber field trip was led by professor Flavia Loss de Araújo. The students were welcomed by president Chohfi, a career diplomat who at one point served a stint as secretary-general to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Arab Chamber’s Institutional Relations director, Fernanda Baltazar, also joined in and spoke with the group. Mr. Chohfi delivered an overview of the Arab countries, the pillars of their economies, and their commercial relations with Brazil.
The visiting students were told of Brazil’s role as a supplier of halal products, i.e., those made in compliance with the rules of Islam, as well as of Arab oil and gas production and energy transition efforts, the large numbers of young people in Arab countries, the evolution of Brazil-Arab trade, the basket of imported-exported goods, etc.
Chohfi remarked that as trade between Brazil and the Arab world grew, so did the Arab Chamber. The students inquired the diplomat with regard to challenges in trade, geopolitical issues, the role of women in the Arab world, the Arab Chamber, and other topics. Chohfi was pleased with the fact that many of the visiting International Relations students were women.
Read more: Osmar Chohfi began new term at Arab Brazilian Chamber
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
