São Paulo – Trade figures between Brazil and the Arab countries – which generated over US$ 14 billion in 2009 – were presented by Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce secretary general Michel Alaby at the Spain-Brazil-Arab Countries Triangulation Entrepreneurial Forum. The total surprised those participating. “Diplomats and businessmen were greatly interested in the fact that Brazil and the Arab countries are already important trade partners. This information is not well known in Spain," said the coordinator of the Program Americana, Karim Hauser.
In 2009, Brazil exported US$ 9.40 billion in products like meats, sugars, cereals and aircraft. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco were the main destinations. In the same period, Brazil imported US$ 5.23 billion from the region, mostly oil, plastics, chemicals and fertilizers, coming mainly from Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Morocco.
“The event was very good, and around 55 people participated in the meeting on Monday morning," said Hauser. "All were interested in learning more, so we are going to make the presentations into a PDF file that may then be made available on the site," he pointed out.
“I gave a very objective talk. Apart from the foreign trade figures, I spoke about the Aspa [Summit of South American-Arab Countries] and the Business forum that took place in 2005, in Brasília and São Paulo," explained Alaby. "I also spoke about the negotiations that are progressing between Egypt, Morocco and Jordan and also the Gulf Cooperation Council," added the secretary general.
Among the figures presented by Alaby, special attention was paid to the Arab influence in important sectors in the country, like gastronomy, medicine and literature. Alaby also commented the existence of 12 million Arabs and their descendants in Brazil, the presence of several ministers and congressmen of Arab origin and the important health institutions in the country belonging to the Arab community.
"Another factor attracting the attention of those participating in the forum was the presence of the ambassador of Sudan, Eluzai Moga Yokwe, and of the representative of the Arab League, Hassin Bousaid," said Alaby.
The event also counted on the presence of the head of the commercial office of the embassy of Brazil to Spain, Cláudio Garón, who spoke about the opportunities between Brazil and Spain. "Then, during a more specific panel, he spoke about triangulation between Brazil, Spain and the Arab nations," said Hauser.
Alexandre Bolson, a lawyer and member of the Brazil-Spain Chamber of Commerce, pointed out the windows of opportunity between both regions. “He spoke about how Spain may simplify opportunities for Brazil in the Arab countries and vice versa," said Hauser. "Izabel Ariza (the international director of Spanish group Volconsa), which does business in Brazil and in the Arab world, spoke about opportunities in the building sector," he finished off.
The business forum is part of the "Brazilian Arabs" cycle of events, promoted by Casa Árabe de Madri (The Arab House of Madrid), from October 4th to 8th, in the capital of Spain, which also includes musical presentations, photography and exhibition of films on the matter. The cycle of events counts on the support of the Brazil-Spain Chamber of Commerce and should include representatives of other Brazilian organisations, like the Arab Culture Institute (Icarabe) and the University of São Paulo (USP).
Among the other attractions of the cycle, the most prominent were musical presentations by the Brazilian Lívio Tragternberg and the Lebanese Tarek Atoui, as well as the exhibition of Brazilian films that have the Arabs as their main theme, like long movie "To the Left of the Father" (Lavoura Arcaica), and documentary "May your eyes be blessed" (Que teus olhos sejam atendidos), both by director Luiz Fernando Carvalho.
On Tuesday (5), Michel Sleiman, the president of the Icarabe, should participate in a round table with photographer José Luis Mejías, who should discuss the part of Arab entrepreneurs in Brazil, starting with the figure of travelling salesmen, very popular in the country.
View the detailed programme by clicking on the link below:
http://www.casaarabe-ieam.es/noticias-arabes/show/arabes-do-brasil-en-madrid
*Translated by Mark Ament