By Qais Shqair
Economic diplomacy is a form of diplomacy that uses the full spectrum of economic tools of a state to achieve its national interests. This definition is strictly related to states, but one need only to look at the history of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) to see how close to the economic diplomacy an institution can get as the ABCC has successfully managed to take on an effective role to further develop bilateral and multilateral relations between the Arab countries and Brazil. The excellent economic relations between the two parties are reflected in a trade balance that amounts to almost USD 18 billion a year.
The success story of the ABCC is in fact an example to be followed. It shows to what extent the Arab Brazilians are linked to their roots and devoted to their beloved homelands. This has gave rise to the excellent relations that the Arab countries and Brazil enjoy in all channels of cooperation.
A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Rubens Hannun, a prominent businessman figure in the country, handed over the presidency of the ABCC to ambassador Osmar Chohfi, an experienced diplomat who had served his country for more than forty years. The ordinary annual meeting of the ABCC Board of Directors was attended by the Dean of Arab Ambassadors Council in Brazil, ambassador of the State of Palestine Mr. Ibrahim Alzeben, and yours truly, the Chief of the Arab League Mission in Brazil, ambassador Qais Shqair. Thus, the partnership that has flourished for years between the Council of Arab Ambassadors and the ABCC has been reiterated and pushed forward so as to further strengthen the ties between the Arab world and Brazil not only in trade and economy but in other areas, too, such as the cultural exchange, which is indeed a distinguished field where the states enjoy great bilateral and multilateral relations.
This value-added cultural common denominator has been of great concern for the Council and the ABCC. Following an unprecedent survey conducted by a renowned specialized company, the ABCC came out with a research on the Arab Brazilian community’ presence, role, power, influence, and prospects for the future. Based on the results of the study, the Arab House was created by the ABCC as a project to establish an Arab Brazilian cultural center to promote both cultures among the Arab Brazilian communities in the country, teach Arabic and Portuguese, and promote the Arab heritage in arts, music, folklore and cuisine.
By doing so, it is not only the cultural dimension of the relations that will be benefited but the favorable formula of a constantly friendly relations that bring together the twenty-two Arab countries and Brazil in the formal, state level and the informal, face-to-face level, at all aspects of cooperation and interaction that will always flourish for the good of all.
Qais Shqair is the head of the mission of the Arab League in Brazil
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
