São Paulo – The Global Business Forum on Latin America, slated for November 9 and 10 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, will feature staff from the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Muslim Associations in Brazil (Fambras) and the São Paulo Investment Promotion Agency (Investe São Paulo). The event is organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
Fambras president Mohamed El Zoghbi will sit in a panel on opportunities in the halal market. Halal concerns products and services that are permitted to Muslims.
“Brazil accounts for just over 10% of global halal product supplies. Despite being the world’s leading producer of halal animal protein, we could work our way into other niches, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, clothing and candy,” El Zoghbi points out.
“Brazil has a vast potential, but there is work to be done. Right now, the Brazilian government is striving to broaden that market,” said the Fambras president. He believes the Brazilian halal industry lacks promotion both domestically and internationally.
“Corporations must be made aware that in order to sell to those [Muslim] countries one must comply with technical and religious requirements, change up raw materials etc. On the foreign front, Brazilian halal must be advertised to the world,” he stresses.
The panel Opportunities in Times of Crisis will focus on Brazil, featuring Investe SP president Juan Quirós. The investment agency said Quirós will discuss the State of São Paulo’s potential to export and to welcome foreign investment, as well as the opportunities in public-private partnerships that might appeal to Arab investment funds.
Arab Chamber Investment director Daniel Hannun and Government Relations manager Tamer Mansour will support Investe SP at the event as part of a cooperation agreement between the Chamber and the state agency.
The Arab Chamber executives will also attend separate meetings in the UAE with delegates from the Jebel Ali and Ras al-Khaimah free zones in a bid to build closer ties and determine how cooperation efforts could increase.
The Global Business Forum on Latin America is a guests-only event held by the DCCI. Find out more at www.gbflatinamerica.com
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
