São Paulo – The government of the Federal District is studying taking a delegation of businessmen to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, in November. The idea is to promote a trip at the same time as the Big 5 Show, the main fair in the building sector in the Middle East. The topic was discussed this week, in Brazilian capital Brasília, by the deputy governor of the state, Paulo Octávio, and by directors at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
"We are still evaluating the possibility of organising this mission. It would be important for the business sector to participate in this project," said the deputy governor to ANBA by e-mail yesterday (8). He owns construction company PaulOOctavio, the largest in Brasília.
Apart from the fair – which should include the participation of 37 companies from Brazil, at a stand organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) -, at the same time the emirate should receive building sector delegations from Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Pernambuco and Ceará. There will be over 200 Brazilian businessmen in Dubai.
"The closer ties between Brazil and the Arab countries are of fundamental importance to strengthen trade and generate jobs and income. Brazil, as the Arab countries, presents several opportunities to be explored," pointed out Paulo Octávio.
According to him, the government is going to evaluate with the productive sector the main business opportunities. Apart from export, the Federal District plans to attract foreign investment. "Exports from the Federal District have been growing and we plan to keep this evolution. Large companies recently decided to invest in the Brazilian capital. These instruments are fundamental for generation of jobs and income for our population. As members of the government our mission is to operate on both fronts, but the perspective of attracting investment is very pleasing," he said.
The interest in the fair and in other activities to be promoted at the same time were shown by the government of Brazil itself. Paulo Octávio met with the Marketing vice president at the Chamber, Rubens Hannun, the secretary general at the organisation, Michel Alaby, director Mustapha Abdouni, district representative Cristiano Araújo, who had the initiative for the meeting, and state secretary José Humberto.
*Translated by Mark Ament
