São Paulo – This Monday (1st) in Muscat, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote mutual cooperation. The statute for establishing a Brazil-Oman Business Council has also been signed.
The agreements are part of the schedule of a visit from Brazil’s vice president Michel Temer to Oman this week. Arab Brazilian Chamber president Marcelo Sallum, and CEO Michel Alaby are delegation members. The local Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Khalil Bin Mohammed Al-Khonji, signed the documents on the Omani side.
“Oman’s relations with Brazil are changing and becoming stronger. Right now, Oman is the fifth leading buyer of Brazilian products in the Arab League, and the third in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Brazilian exports were up 35% from 2011 to 2012. That is a very significant increase,” said Alaby following the signing of the agreements. Brazil’s vice president Temer and the Omani minister of Trade and Industry, Ali Masoud Ali Al Sunaidy, attended the event, according to the Arab Brazilian Chamber CEO.
Alaby noted that the setting up of a ore pellet plant in Oman by Brazil’s Vale company contributed a lot to that increase. “However, there is much more we can do. And we will,” he said.
According to him, the memorandum of understanding signed by the two chambers will enable “greater business integration, increased exchange of economic information, more trade missions from Brazil to Oman, and increased presence of Omani companies [in Brazil].” “We will establish a common agenda for the next few years,” he added.
To Alaby, the setting up of the Business Council will create a pool of businessmen to “reflect on bi-national relations and devise strategies for growth through trade, investment, and even tourism.” “We hope the businessmen can help governments to outline a strategy for bypassing existing barriers to stronger economic relations,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Sallum gave a presentation to delegation members about Oman’s economy. He said, for instance, that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should be up 5.1% this year, following a 5% increase in 2012.
Also this Monday, the Brazilians were received by the Omani deputy prime minister, Sayyid Fahad Bin Mahmoud. Last Sunday (31st), Temer met with sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the ruler of the country.
The mission members also met with local businessmen, according to Alaby. In addition to government officials and Arab Brazilian Chamber personnel, the delegation comprises representatives of Brazilian companies and sectorial organizations.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
