São Paulo – The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce joined the Arab British Economic Summit this Wednesday (3) in London, United Kingdom. It had a stand at the event, and its delegates attended discussions and met with executives and leaders from international organizations.
“This initiative is in line with our internationalization strategy, of being physically present in places other than the Arab countries,” said Arab Chamber president Rubens Hannun, who’s in London. The Chamber’s new strategic plan entails not only encouraging Brazilian-Arab business, but also connecting Brazilians and Arabs wherever they are.
To this end, last month saw the Arab Brazilian Chamber go to the Arab-German Economic Forum in Berlin; in 2018 it joined Sial Paris, a food industry show in France that welcomes scores of Brazilian and Arab businesspeople; the 12th Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders (Medaweek); and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Business Forum in New York. Next October, Brazil’s Chamber will be back in Germany for Anuga, another major international food industry expo.
While in London, Hannun and Marketing vice president Riad Younes met with the League of Arab States’ secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit (pictured at the top of this story) and undersecretary general for Political Affairs Hossalmedin Zaki; with United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Union of Arab Chambers secretary general Khaled Hanafy and president Mohamad Abdo Saeed; and with Arab-British Chamber of Commerce secretary general Bandar Reda.
According to Younes, topics in discussion included join initiatives with the IFAD, which provides funding for rural projects designed to increase food security, nutrition rates and income. Food security is a huge concern for Arab countries, and Brazil has a lot to offer in this respect. The Arab Chamber made a point of coming up with a partnership proposal.
The Arab-British Chamber secretary general commended the work of the Brazilian organization and suggested that the two chambers carry out actions together.
Panels
One of the panels which grabbed Arab Brazilian Chamber executives’ attentions was on the Arab world as a global distribution hub in trade and transportation.
Another key subject was the relationship of Arab companies and entities with various spheres of the UK government, which facilitates bilateral deals. “The British ascribe great importance to the Arabs, and we need to watch this closely. We can tell the respect that these relations are dealt with,” said Younes. He mentioned initiatives like facilitated visas for business owners and tax breaks for investors. “This could be presented for the Brazilian government to replicate,” he said. It’s worth noting that London is a habitual target of massive Arab investments.
Companies
Arab Brazilian Chamber Events coordinator Tâmara Machado, who organized the stand at the Summit, said she welcomed 40 business executives. “They were from United Kingdom companies that are looking to do business with Brazil, and from Arab companies looking to become Arab Brazilian Chamber members, and to find investors in Brazil for renewable energy and security projects,” she explained. “Two business owners also contacted us who were interested in importing coffee from Brazil,” she said.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber delegates also invited those in attendance to the Brazil-Arab Countries Economic Forum, whose next edition will take place in April 2020 in São Paulo.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
