São Paulo – Arab ambassadors in Brazil are going to participate this week in a mission to the state of Goiás. The proposal of the trip, to take place from February 27th to March 1st, is to present to the diplomats business opportunities that may be developed with the state of Goiás. The invitation was made by the government of Goiás and the mission will be promoted in partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil.
According to the International Affairs secretary of the government of Goiás, Eli Chediak, this is an opportunity to expand trade relations. “Brazil currently offers great legal and regulatory stability. We believe we may expand our trade, cultural and, in future, political partnership with ‘non-traditional’ partners,” he said.
Over the three days of the visit there should be a meeting with the governor of Goiás, Marconi Perillo Jr., who should present the investment opportunities in Goiás, a visit to the headquarters of Jaime Câmara organisation, a Globo TV affiliate in Goiás and Tocantins, a seminar at the Federation of Industries of the State of Goiás (FIEG), a visit to the Catholic University of Goiás and a meeting with the mayor of Goiânia, Paulo Garcia. The delegation should also include Arab Brazilian Chamber president Marcelo Sallum and the institution’s CEO, Michel Alaby.
The dean of Arab ambassadors in Brazil, the Palestinian Ibrahim Alzeben, said that in this visit to Goiás the ambassadors may identify opportunities for their countries in the Brazil. "We promote between two and three trips around the country each year. These visits help diplomats identify business opportunities and strengthen relations with the Arab nations. The meetings are very fruitful,” said Alzeben. In other occasions, ambassadors visited Paraná, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul.
Arab Brazilian Chamber Government Relations executive Tamer Mansour pointed out that the delegation may show to Goiás that the Arab countries may export to Brazil. “This visit arose at the invitation of the government of Goiás to promote trade and investment between the Arab countries and the state of Goiás. The objective of the ambassadors is also to increase exports to Brazil,” said Mansour.
Chediak pointed out that Goiás is a great producer of commodities and needs investment in several sectors. He pointed out the case of the light vehicle on rails in Goiânia, estimated at R$ 1.3 billion (US$ 650 million), projects for road concessions, infrastructure works in the electric sector, telephony, sewage treatment, health and education. "The Arabs have great liquidity and are investing worldwide. Goiás and Brazil need investment for growth. The Arabs may promote direct investment in Brazil,” he said.
In 2012, the state of Goiás exported US$ 702.1 million to the Arab countries, growth of 44.3% over 2011. The main products exported by the state were meats, sugars and grain.
*Translated by Mark Ament
