Dubai – The director general of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hamad Buamim, said today (25) to the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, that the organisation plans to promote a trade mission to Brazil. "It is a very important country for us," said the director. The visit should be promoted by the end of the year.
The sectors of greatest interest mentioned by Buamim were commodities, building material and food in general. According to the director, the idea behind promoting the mission is also to take some minister to the Arab country, as well as businessmen. "Brazil is a market that Dubai is eyeing and we are going to work together to promote the mission," he said. The executive also added that in recent years the Dubai Chamber of Commerce has been receiving many delegations from Brazil, which shows the great Brazilian interest in the market of the Emirates.
Among the Brazilian delegations that have already visited the Dubai Chamber of Commerce are those promoted by the states of Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Mato Grosso. According to Alaby, since 1998 over 10 delegations from the country have already been to Dubai. The programme of the mission is yet to be defined by the chambers, but Buamim showed interest in visiting the states that have already visited the Dubai Chamber.
During the meeting today, Alaby said that years ago it was necessary to "implore" Brazilian companies to participate in trade fairs in Dubai and that now there are so many interested companies that there is not enough space in the exhibition pavilions. Examples of this are the Big 5 Show, in the building sector, and the Gulfood, the largest food sector fair in the Middle East, which is taking place in Dubai this week and includes the participation of 30 Brazilian companies.
The matter of the global crisis was also discussed by the executives of both chambers. Alaby said that now companies should have more competition and prices will be an important factor in winning a market. Buamim is of the same belief. "This is a crisis. The companies that have the best benefits have the best chances," he said. The director also stated that investment of the United Arab Emirates in infrastructure is not going to stop. "Saudi Arabia has already said it is going to continue investing in Dubai. What should change now is that the rhythm should be a little slower," he added.
Alaby also discussed with the director that the Summit of Arab-South American Countries, to take place in Doha, the Qatari capital, in late March and early April. "Our plan is to take at least a delegation of 150 businessmen," he said.
Bilateral trade
Brazilian exports to the Emirates last year totalled US$ 1.32 billion, which represented growth of 10.5% over 2007. The main products shipped to the Arab country were beef, sugar, vehicles and tractors, iron and steel, machinery and aircraft. On the other lane, Brazilian imports from the Emirates totalled US$ 592 million, growth of 85% in the same comparison. Fuel and mineral oils, sulphur, garments and plastic were the products most purchased by Brazil.
*Translated by Mark Ament
