São Paulo – Among the highlights of the visit of the minister of Industry and Trade of Egypt, Rachid Mohamed Rachid, which began today (11) in São Paulo, should be the return to talks for a trade agreement between the Mercosur and the Arab country. Both parties signed, in 2004, a framework agreement on the matter – a declaration of intentions -, but the talks were not concluded.
"We are going to make use of the visit to show Brazil and work to conclude the trade agreement between the Mercosur and Egypt, so that trade may continue on the rise," stated Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Antonio Sarkis Jr. The organisation should receive Rachid in the capital of São Paulo state and should accompany the Egyptian delegation during its stay in Brazil.
The government of Egypt is interested in returning to talks, said last week the executive director of the Foreign Relations department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mona Wahba. "We are also interested," said to ANBA the head of the International Negotiations department at the Itamaraty, ambassador Evandro Didonet.
Rachid should be in Brasília tomorrow and the day after and should meet with Foreign Minister Celso Amorim. In the sidelines, Didonet should meet with negotiators on the Egyptian side to analyse what may be done from now on.
The diplomat pointed out that the return to talks must be approved by the other partners in the Mercosur – Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay -, but he believes that they are also interested in the agreement. Brazil currently occupies the rotating presidency of the bloc.
After the failure of last ministerial meeting in the Doha Rounds for liberalization of world trade, minister Amorim said that Brazil would turn its focus to bilateral trade agreements. Didonet pointed out, however, that the return to talks with Egypt is not a consequence of what took place at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The ambassador recalled that in the sidelines of the Doha Rounds, the Mercosur had already returned to negotiations, not only with Egypt, but also with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with Morocco and more recently with Jordan. "This process was already in progress and was going to continue, even if Doha had been successful," declared the diplomat. "The joining of these two markets is very important to us and we may further explore them," he added.
Business opportunities
To Sarkis, trade between Brazil and Egypt should expand, as should the interest of one country in the other. Today, in São Paulo, Rachid should have an agenda exclusively turned to contacts with private organisations. He is coming in the company of a delegation of 21 businessmen, including importers and exporters.
Apart from a seminar about trade and investment opportunities, the minister should have meetings with representatives of large organisations that are interested in the Arab country." The meetings between the minister and important businessmen interested in investing in Egypt show the maturity of bilateral relations," stated the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber.
In the sidelines, the businessmen in the Egyptian delegation should participate in business roundtables with Brazilian companies. They are producers, exporters and importers of food, medical equipment, medication, textile products and garments, auto parts, agricultural commodities and building material.
Further information
Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce
Marketing department
Tel: (+55 11) 3283-4066
E-mail: marketing@ccab.org.br
Site: www.ccab.org.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
