São Paulo – The Economic Forum Brazil & Arab Countries had viewers in all five continents. Rubens Hannun (pictured above), the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), which hosted the event, mentioned the viewership in his closing address. “We have managed to reach all five continents, and we are being watched by [people in] 61 different countries,” he said. The forum ran from October 19 to 22.
The event got 10,000 viewers throughout its 20 hours’ worth of live streams in three different languages. In addition to discussion panels, it featured a 3D exhibition featuring Arab and Brazilian enterprises that got 2,300 visitors, and hundreds of virtual meetings were scheduled.
The final day was themed ‘Environmental, social and corporate governance: relevance in the current situation,’ and the closing ceremony featured Brazilian and Arab authorities, including the special projects advisor on Marketing and Communication at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment, Khaled Tash, who stressed the need to keep trade and investments going. “The Kingdom has a growing population, and the administration is encouraging spending on healthcare, which has been the highest in all MENA [Middle East and North Africa]. Another key area for cooperation between our nations is the halal industry, in sectors such as food products, health and cosmetics,” he said.
Santa Catarina governor Carlos Moisés discussed investment opportunities in his state. “We have investment programs in infrastructure and ports, in addition to federal ports available for concession,” he said. The ABCC has a branch office in Itajaí, a port city in the state.
Industry and farming were also brought up by Ajlan Al Ajlan, the chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers. “We have a mutual need for cooperation now more than ever. I would like to thank each and every one of you watching this forum. It has been a unique opportunity to enhance economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Brazil,” he said.
Ibrahim Alzeben, the ambassador of Palestine and dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil, said the business deals that have been made and the announcement of the ABCC’s new international offices were a token of the mutual willingness from countries to take trade relations to a new level. “There is no question that the offices in Cairo and Riyadh will enable greater cooperation, in addition to strategic partnerships at key ports.”
Union of Arab Chambers secretary-general Khaled Hanafy stressed the fact that several agreements have moved forward as a result of the event. “We have ascertained that there is a desire to move from simple exports and imports towards strategic relations, to change the way in which Brazil and Arab countries cooperate,” Hanafy said.
The event’s discussions were also brought up by Arab League assistant secretary-general and secretary-general’s office head Hossam Zaki. “The Arab League has watched intently during these four days. The subjects that have been approached are of the utmost importance, chief among them being food security, especially in light of the world’s current situation, which requires that we think creatively,” he said.
The ceremony also featured the senator and Brazil-Arab Countries Parliamentary Group president Jean Paul Prates, who lauded the agreements reached during the event; the minister of Economy of the State of Palestine, Khaled al-Osaily; and the vice president of Brazil, Hamilton Mourão.
Check out the full coverage on ANBA.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
