São Paulo – The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Brasília (the Brazilian capital), Yousuf Al Usaimi, will leave his post this week, after having witnessed relations between his country and Brazil take off. The diplomat took office at the embassy in 2004 and ever since, bilateral trade between Brazil and the Emirates went from US$ 772 million to US$ 2.1 billion. For his participation in this increase and his dedication to boosting general relations between the two countries, the ambassador was paid tribute by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce this Wednesday (25th).
Usaimi, who is also the dean of Arab ambassadors to Brazil, should travel to the Emirates next Saturday, where he will remain for approximately two months before taking office at the Emirati embassy to Beirut, Lebanon, in July. At the luncheon in his honour, the diplomat referred to this Tuesday as a sad day, because it is a day of farewell. “My mission of representing the Emirates in Brazil is coming to an end. The years that I have spent here were filled with activity, especially between the embassy and the Arab Brazilian Chamber,” he said.
According to him, the work of the embassy and of the Chamber was reflected in the trade figures. The boosting of economic ties and the diplomat’s contribution to it were highlighted by the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Salim Schahin, in his address during the tribute. “Exports have gone from US$ 707 million to US$ 1.8 billion. Imports have gone from US$ 65 million to US$ 177 million,” said Schahin.
The president of the Chamber also highlighted the good relations between the embassy and the Chamber, and mentioned the actions taken. “In these seven years, 54 trade and investment missions have taken place, both by Brazilians in the Emirates and vice versa,” said Schahin. According to him, during the period, the Arab Brazilian Chamber attended 23 fairs and exhibitions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the federal government.
According to Schahin, Emirati interest in Brazil as a place for doing business has grown as well. He mentioned the recent visit to Brazil of representatives of the Mubadala fund, who expressed their interest in investing. Schahin referred to the diplomat as a “tireless champion of closer political, economic, cultural and tourism ties between the two countries.” He also underscored that during the diplomat’s term in office, a milestone was achieved that provided support to relations between Brazil and the United Arab Emirates: the inauguration of Emirates airline’s direct flight between São Paulo and Dubai.
In an interview to ANBA, ambassador Usaimi emphasized the economic growth that he witnessed in Brazil while living in the federal capital. “Ever since I came to this country, our relations (Brazil and Emirates) have improved a lot. Similarly, Brazil has grown a lot, and very fast,” stated the diplomat. He claimed that he hopes relations between the two countries will remain steady. “The Arab Brazilian Chamber will continue to be our second home,” he said.
During luncheon, Usaimi received from the former Arab Brazilian Chamber president and current chairman of the board, Walid Yazigi, a silver tray inscribed in honour to his work. The luncheon was attended by approximately 30 people, among them the former Brazilian minister of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation, Patrus Ananias, the International Relations vice president of the Chamber, Helmi Nasr, the CEO of the organization, Michel Alaby, and the Chamber director and Jordanian Consul to São Paulo, Mustapha Abdouni.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
