São Paulo – The strategic importance of the Arab markets will be presented to a group of nearly 200 businessmen in Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco, at a breakfast followed by lecture “Foreign trade with the Arab world”. The meeting will be held at the head office of the Federation of Commerce of the State of Pernambuco (Fecomércio-PE) next Wednesday (12th) at 09:00 am.
The manager of the Market Development Department of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Rodrigo Solano, and the organization’s administrative secretary for commerce, Elias Fares Hadi, are going to discuss matters such as the economic importance of the 22 Arab countries, language and location, influence of religion in business, local habits, and tips on how to deal with the Arabs.
“We are going to show the importance of developing trade between Brazil and the Arab countries. If we compare the flow of trade between Brazil and the world, and between Arab countries and the world, we realize that there is still much to be developed,” said Solano.
According to him, one of the most obvious issues is the Arab import basket. “Although Brazil has much industrial diversity, our exports are still quite concentrated,” says the manager. From January to March 2010, the Arab countries were the fourth largest market for Brazilian exports, totalling US$ 2.2 billion. The most exported products were meats (28%), sugar (28%), iron (12.6%) and aircraft (5.8%). The main target countries were Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Morocco.
A survey by the Arab Brazilian Chamber compares per capita imports of the Arab world with per capita imports worldwide. “The Arabs import more construction material, food and fashion than the global average. The rate is from 20% to 30%,” explains Solano.
Also according to him, the Arabs may also represent a great opportunity in the industrial and agricultural machinery sectors, because diversifying their industrial park and their sources of resources is a priority to them. “Investing in capital goods is an alternative, and the lecture is going to approach precisely these opportunities,” he stated.
Solano is also going to give examples of companies that are already operating in the Arab market, and of how Brazilian enterprises may seize these opportunities. The lecturers will also explain how the Arab Brazilian Chamber may help the businessmen in the negotiation process.
For further detail and to view up-to-date studies on the Arab countries, go to www.ccab.org.br and click on the Market information link.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
