Abu Dhabi – Brazil and the United Arab Emirates entered into eight agreements and memorandums of understanding in several fields this Sunday (27), during president Jair Bolsonaro’s trip to the Arab country. Bolsonaro met with Abu Dhabi crown prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (pictured, on the right) and Dubai ruler Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who’s also vice president and prime minister of the UAE. The administrations issued a joint statement that said “the leaders have decided to give strategic partnership status to bilateral relations.”
The decision was formalized with a memorandum of understanding that “lays down the guidelines for high-level initiatives in peace and safety; economic cooperation, especially in trade, investment, industry, infrastructure, agriculture, transportation and outer space; energy cooperation and joint mechanisms in the fields of tourism, culture and sports.”
Agreements were also reached for mutual assistance with customs issues and mutual exchange and protection of classified information and material. Further agreements cover artificial intelligence, strategic cooperation to increase defense industry production capacity, development, production and sale of defense industry, supporting exports and reexports between Abu Dhabi and Brazil, and conservation of biodiversity.
“The administration’s measures are winning back our trust and showing that Brazil is a good place to invest in,” Bolsonaro told prince Al Nahyan. “We have a lot to offer to the Arab Emirates, especially when it comes to agribusiness. Brazil is interested in investment, in technology and other fields that are being discussed by our respective ministers,” he stated.
The joint statement also addressed food security. Ensuring food supplies is a key concern for the UAE – and any Arab country, since local production is at a deficit –, and they see Brazil as a major partner. Hence the emphasis in promoting investments in Brazilian agribusiness and related infrastructure.
The president also watched a Jiu-Jitsu demonstration and paid a visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a religious and architectural landmark in Abu Dhabi. He and his entourage toured the majestic facilities as a throng of tourists looked on curiously.
Firjan
Later in the day, Bolsonaro had a meeting with a select group of Brazilian and Emirati businesspeople, hosted by the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan) at the Emirates Palace Hotel.
About 20 Brazilian and 20 Emirati businesspeople were in attendance, along with government authorities from both countries.
Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Rubens Hannun and International Relations vice president Osmar Chohfi were present. “The Chamber has had the opportunity to position itself as a facilitator of business between the UAE and Brazil,” said Hannun, also pointing out that the Chamber has an international office in Dubai.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
