Dubai – The secretary-general and CEO of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), Tamer Mansour, met with the executive director of the Egyptian Food Export Council (FEC), May Khairy, during Gulfood, a show taking place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, from February 13 to 17. The meeting was also attended by the commissioner for the exhibition sector of the FEC, Heba Soheil, and the director of International Relations and Regional Offices of the ABCC, Fernanda Baltazar.
The group discussed ways to improve economic cooperation and facilitate trade between Brazil and Egypt, especially after the significant increase in trade between the two countries last year. The Brazil-Egypt trade balance grew 30% in 2021 over 2020 and tallied to USD 2.5 billion, with exports from Egypt advancing over 150% and for the first time above USD 500 million.
They articulated a possible increase in Egyptian participation in food shows in Brazil in the coming months so entrepreneurs could get to know the Brazilian market, the needs of its consumers, and discover opportunities in Latin American countries. Mansour said there are quality Egyptian products, such as olives, olive oils, ice cream, medicinal, and aromatic plants, which could find space in the Brazilian market.
He also spoke about the willingness of Brazilian companies to explore the Egyptian market. According to Mansour, the ABCC seeks to attract Brazilian food companies to participate in shows in Cairo, such as Food Africa, in cooperation with the FEC. The goal is to facilitate Brazilian companies to get to know the needs of the Egyptian and African markets. Mansour said the ABCC’s office opening in Cairo occurred because Egypt is a gateway to African markets and a large and promising market in which Brazilians desire to enter.
Khairy congratulated Mansour on opening the office and praised the cooperation and exchange of data and experiences to facilitate trade between Egyptian and Brazilian food companies. According to her, the council is interested in Latin American markets and opportunities for Egyptian companies to obtain the maximum benefit from the Egypt-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement. Khairy highlighted the importance of cooperation between the FEC and the ABCC to achieve the interests of companies and facilitate food trade between the countries.
The executive told the secretary-general Egyptian food industries had a significant increase in exports last year, over 19%, rising to USD 4.1 billion, despite the challenges and barriers in driving international trade due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Translated by Ahmed El Nagari & Elúsio Brasileiro
