São Paulo – The government of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is going to promote a trade mission to Brazil, before the end of the first half of the year, with the objective of encouraging bilateral trade. The trip’s organization was discussed today (10th) by representatives of the emirate’s Department of Economic Development (DED) and of the Export Development Corporation (EDC), with the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, at the organization’s headquarters, in the city of São Paulo.
“Our aim is to increase trade relations between Dubai, and the Emirates in general, and Brazil, be it in exports, imports, investment, event organization, etc.,” said Hussam Hassan, the EDC’s Marketing and Media manager. The action is backed by the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex).
He explained that the delegation will comprise representatives of government organizations, such as the DED and the EDC, of semi-governmental organizations, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and of large private companies.
According to Hassan, the idea is to bring to Brazil executives from large family-run Dubai-based conglomerates that operate in various sectors. Thus, according to him, it is possible to enable different types of deals in several fields. The mission will be headed by the DED’s director-general, Sami Al Qamzi.
The executive director of Investment Promotion and Support of the DED, Khalid Al Boom, informed that his department is currently in charge of other international promotion agencies, such as the EDC itself. Thus, during a mission it is possible to explore different business modalities. “It is a full package,” he claimed.
Hassan listed some products from Dubai which, according to a preliminary evaluation, may be of interest to the Brazilian market, such as goods and services for the construction industry, taking into consideration the works that will be required for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Olympics; ceramic facing; food; jewellery and precious metals. He made a request for the Arab Brazilian Chamber to produce a list of the items likely to be better accepted by Brazilian businessmen and consumers.
Along the same lines, Hassan mentioned products that may attract the interest of the businessmen from Dubai, such as sugar, food in general and raw materials for several industries.
The mission is going to last two days. At the meeting, it has been set that there will be a seminar and business meetings on the first day, and field visits on the second.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
