Alexandre Rocha*
alexandre.rocha@anba.com.br
São Paulo – Exports of textile products from the Arab countries to Brazil rose over 200% from January to November last year and reached US$ 40.3 million. Sales of Brazilian textiles to the Arab market, in turn, rose 47.3% and reached US$ 31.3 million, according to figures supplied by the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (Abit).
The trade balance of textile products registered a deficit of US$ 9 million for Brazil, against surpluses of US$ 7.8 million in the same period in 2006 and US$ 6.6 million in 2005. The main suppliers last year were the United Arab Emirates (US$ 17.2 million), Egypt (US$ 14.3 million), Oman (US$ 5 million), Morocco (US$ 1.9 million) and Tunisia (US$ 1.5 million).
The main products imported by Brazil were garments in general and cotton products, from fibres to threads and fabrics. The Emirates were responsible for most of the exports of garments, as the country acts as a reexporter of products coming from other nations in the region and from Asia.
With regard to cotton, the main supplier was Egypt, responsible for the largest share of the trade basket. The country is famous for its long- and extra-long-fibre cotton, ideal for the production of fine fabrics. Other items imported by Brazil from the Arabs were carpets.
The chairman at Abit, Aguinaldo Diniz, also mentioned imports of traditional Arab garments. He celebrated the increase of sector trade as a whole and believes that it is time for Brazilian businessmen to have a stronger presence on the Arab market. "I see the interest of a rich region, with high buying power, which we must work," stated Diniz to ANBA.
In the case of Brazilian exports, the increase of the volume of products exported accompanied the growth of revenues, which shows a true expansion of demand. The main items shipped by Brazil, according to Diniz, were cotton fibres, denim, acetate fibres and sisal. "Our denim, for example, is of the best quality," he said.
He added that the greater trade is also a consequence of greater knowledge of markets and of export efforts by Brazilian businessmen. To Diniz, Brazilians and Arabs must make use of their affinities to expand business. "This is a market that must evolve; and it will," he finished off.
The main destinations for Brazilian exports among the Arab world were Egypt (US$ 11.1 million), the Emirates (US$ 7.4 million), Saudi Arabia (US$ 4 million), Morocco (US$ 2.4 million) and Tunisia (US$ 1.7 million).
*Translated by Mark Ament
