São Paulo – Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the emirate, plans to expand its network of offices worldwide and one of the regions evaluated is Brazil. This information was provided by the organisation’s CEO, Saed Mohamed Al Awadi, who is heading the delegation from the Arab country to São Paulo. “Brazil is our first step towards South America,” said the executive, while visiting the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce on Monday (28). The objective of the organisation is to foster the growth of business between both countries.
According to Awadi, the enterprise has offices in India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Europe and is now eyeing other regions. “We are focussing on three zones: Africa, South America and Central Asia,” said the CEO. According to him, the intention is to execute the plan for expansion of offices from next year on. "We want to encourage Brazilian companies to go to Dubai and companies from Dubai to come here. We want Brazilian companies to use Dubai as a ‘hub’ for business with the [Middle East] region ", stated Awadi to ANBA.
The delegation is in the city of São Paulo to evaluate all kind of business, but most of the companies in the group aim to export to the Brazilian market. On Monday morning, the delegation met with the CEO at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby. The group also spoke to lawyer Davi Roberto Soares, from Battell, Lasmar & Silva office, who spoke about the tax system for imports into Brazil.
Businessmen from Dubai were greatly interested in learning how to reduce fees levied on their products. Currently there are no privileges for trade between Brazil and the Emirates. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which the country is also part, is negotiating an agreement with the Mercosur, but talks have not progressed due to lack of consensus regarding taxes levied on petrochemical products. Not only does the Gulf have strong production in the area but Brazil also has an established industry in the sector.
Soares spoke about a possible list of products on which lower taxes are levied on products for which there are no similar national products. The Business Development manager at company Diamond Line FZE, Rasha Shehada, was enthused with the possibility, as they want to sell a different product to the Brazilian market, a package that keeps food warm. According to her, the Chinese export a similar product to Brazil, but Diamond may offer greater quality.
The company from Dubai exports to 24 countries and Shehada is in Brazil to evaluate possibilities on the local market. According to her, this is her first visit to Brazil, but not the last. The executive says that the company is very interested in the South American market and especially in Brazil. To her, the rate of exchange is still favourable for imports. According to the entrepreneur, the product also includes steel from Brazil. The plans are also to participate in fairs in the country. “We are confident that we will be competitive here,” she finished off.
The regional export director at Naffco, Mohammad Nadeem Siddiqui, participated in the delegation aiming at selling the company’s products in Brazil. The company makes special equipment and vehicles for logistics in airports, fire fighting and industry, among other areas. It exports to over 100 countries. According to the head of the delegation, all companies participating in the delegation are in Brazil for the first time.
This is the third visit by Dubai Exports to Brazil and was organized together with the Arab Brazilian Chamber. Awadi stated that relations between Brazil and Dubai, however, have advanced much since the last mission. There are currently, according to him, many more Brazilian companies established in Dubai, as well as a Rio de Janeiro-Dubai flight, inaugurated by Emirates, and relations have progressed much. “The rate of growth of relations is much greater,” said the CEO at Dubai Exports.
Exports from the Emirate to the Brazilian market have expanded 170% over 2010 and 2011, to US$ 478.7 million. According to Awadi, the Emirates may export to Brazil products like special equipment, aluminium, metal products, gold and diamonds. “We are among the world’s main exporters of gold,” said Awadi. The main markets in the Arab country are the other nations of the GCC, India, Switzerland and North Africa. “But we want to go ahead,” said the executive. According to him, the objective of the Dubai Exports delegation, however, is not just to offer products, but also services, like the ports, financial, education and health areas.
The delegation has a programme in São Paulo up to Tuesday (29) and Wednesday (30) and then heads on to Peru, where there will also be an agenda for prospection of business. The delegation includes eight people, among them professionals of Dubai Exports and businessmen.
*Translated by Mark Ament
