Dubai – The Brazil Pavilion at Gulfood, the biggest food and beverage show in the Middle East, brings together 105 companies. The space was opened this Monday (20), the first day of the event taking place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, that runs until February 24. The opening event of the Brazil Pavilion included statements by authorities from the public and private sectors.
The participation of companies in the national pavilion is organized by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and has 68 companies from many different sectors. Also with the support of ApexBrasil, another 22 member companies of the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) and 15 of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (ABIEC) are exhibiting in pavilions in the protein sector.
ApexBrasil estimates the business volume at the show could reach USD 4.5 billion, including immediate business results and the 12 months following the event. “This show is highly anticipated because it is our first Gulfood without requiring covid tests in a few years. We expect many visitors since we have 105 Brazilian companies,” pointed out the Agribusiness manager of ApexBrasil, Paula Soares.
Tatiana Riera, COO of the ApexBrasil office in Dubai, highlighted how the event is an essential showcase for Brazilian brands to expand their business. “Dubai is a regional and even global hub,” she said.
For Rafael Solimeo, director of the Dubai international office of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), this edition also marks a milestone. “This is the first Gulfood where we have the partnership between the ABCC and ApexBrazil with the Halal do Brasil Project. This is a critical project for us because we can see the relevance of halal certification. We have great expectations with this partnership,” he pointed out.
ApexBrasil and the ABCC jointly conduct the project to expand Brazilian participation in the global halal market, mainly by supplying more value-added foodstuffs. The initiative will hold two activities during Gulfood. The ABCC also has two spaces at Gulfood, with 11 exhibiting companies (read more about them in the stories below).
- Brazilians bring from chocolate to peanuts to Gulfood 2023
- Halal do Brasil events to be held on sidelines of Gulfood
Also speaking at the opening of the Brazil Pavilion were Antônio Camardelli, president of ABIEC, and Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA. On the occasion, both celebrated the associations’ partnerships with ApexBrasil. “It is very satisfying to participate in yet another show. We have been partners of Apex since 2021 and know this path very well. In the ABIEC stand, we can see [this evolution],” said Camardelli. “We have to thank you for helping us to do this great work and push Brazil forward,” said Santin.
Another official at the ceremony was Roberto Perosa, secretary of Commerce and International Relations at the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA). “We need to encourage more and more agribusiness in Brazil to bring more companies to Gulfood,” pointed out the secretary.
Ambassador Eliana Zugaib, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Brazil to the UAE, highlighted innovation and sustainability as strong competitive differentiators of Brazil at the event. “This show is one of the most influential platforms for reaching the regional and local markets. This is already the 15th Brazilian participation in Gulfood, and I hope we have the same success as in recent years,” said the diplomat.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
