Cairo – The Brazilian market and its opportunities were presented to Egyptian exporters this week at the seminar “Exploring export opportunities for Brazil,” held by the Egyptian Exporters Association ExpoLink in partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). The services the ABCC provides to entrepreneurs through the institution’s office in Cairo were also showcased during the event, which took place online.
The seminar was moderated by the Training and Qualification specialist at ExpoLink, Kamel Selim. It included a lecture by the regional director and head of the ABCC’s office in Egypt, Michael Gamal (pictured above). Many members of the ExpoLink association participated.
Gamal highlighted the possibilities in the Brazilian market, such as the purchasing power of the 212-million-inhabitant population, the position as the eighth largest economy in the world, the high development in the ports and shipping area, and the auto sector, with emphasis on technology and halal food production.
He reported Egypt mainly imports maize, frozen beef, and iron ore from Brazil. According to Gamal, chemicals and fertilizers account for 40% of Egyptian exports to Brazil, but some products such as garlic, citrus, and fruit are also sold.
Gamal pointed out Egypt is the only Arab country with a free trade agreement with Mercosur, which provides a competitive edge for Egyptian products in the Brazilian market and helps overcome the issues of distance and high shipping costs.
According to the executive, since the Egypt-Mercosur agreement came into force in 2017, Egyptian exports rose from USD 155 million that year to USD 541 million in 2021. Egyptian imports of Brazilian products sit around USD 2 billion. At the end of the seminar, ExpoLink members asked about opportunities to export their products to the Brazilian market.
Gamal spoke about the services provided by the ABCC to its members, including export feasibility studies, organization of B2B meetings with importers, participation in international shows in Brazil, and trade missions. Selim told of special conditions for ExpoLink members to become ABCC members and participate in its activities.
Translated by Ahmed El Nagari & Elúsio Brasileiro
