São Paulo – Enrolments are open for the business forum that should be held in the sidelines of the 2nd Summit of Arab-South American Countries (Aspa), in Doha, Qatar. The business meeting will take place on the 29th and 30th this month, and the meeting of heads of state and government, on March 31st and April 01st. The aim is to take advantage of the diplomatic event in order to promote face–to-face meetings between businessmen from the 34 countries in the two blocs, 22 of which are Arab and 12, South American.
According to the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, who has just returned from a trip to Doha, where he attended a preparatory meeting for the forum, a seminar on the economies of the two regions, including presentations of business opportunities, investment opportunities, and business cases of South American companies that were successful in the Arab world and vice-versa should be held.
Business roundtables will also take place. The industries selected for the meetings are agribusiness, food, tourism, infrastructure, furniture, software, alternative energies (except ethanol), engineering and building material. “The sectors were chosen according to the perspectives of both sides,” said Alaby.
The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) is in charge of organising the event. In the case of South America, organisers want to attract 10 businessmen from each country, and have committed to paying travel and lodging expenses. Up until last weekend, 38 Arab companies had already enrolled to participate in the forum.
Enrolment must be made up until the 15th with the QBA. The enrolment form must be downloaded from the website of the organisation, filled in and faxed.
On the occasion of the first Aspa Summit, held in Brazil in 2005, a similar business forum gathered some 500 businessmen from different areas. The event was organised by the Arab Brazilian Chamber.
Further information and enrolment
Qatari Businessmen Association
With Amal Shehab (in English)
Telephone: (+974) 435-3120
Fax: (+974) 435-3934 or 435-3847
E-mail: amal@qataribusinessmen.org
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
