Dubai – João Doria, governor of the state of São Paulo, signed on Wednesday (27) a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for fostering business and mutually supporting trade relations between Invest São Paulo and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) in the headquarters of the emirate’s entity. The delegation of São Paulo government was received by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, president of SCCI, and other officials. The appointment was part of the mission of Invest São Paulo to the UAE that aims at deepening trade, cultural and tourist ties with the Arab country. Invest São Paulo is the Investment and Competitiveness Promotion Agency of the State of São Paulo.
This is the first overseas mission of the state of São Paulo since the beginning of the pandemic, and, the governor pointed out, the Arab country was also the last destination he visited before the start of the pandemic in February 2020, when an Invest São Paulo office opened in Dubai. The mission of Invest São Paulo to the UAE is financed by the private sector and features 32 companies.
The governor delivered a speech on business opportunities for the state in culture, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and other sectors. “We have opportunities and synergies with Sharjah Chamber that should be studied and harnessed. We want to make progress in the connection between governments and institutions and private companies. We’ll be extremely pleased to welcome a mission of investors and businesspeople affiliated with Sharjah Chamber in São Paulo,” Doria said. Al Owais said there are twelve Brazilian companies registered in Sharjah and 56 registered in six free zones of the emirate.
The ceremony was attended by Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Dubai; Gustavo Junqueira, president of Invest São Paulo; ambassador Osmar Chohfi, president of Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC); Patricia Ellen, state secretary for Economic Development; and Julio Serson, state secretary for International Relations; as well as other authorities from São Paulo and Sharjah. The 42 businesspeople from São Paulo that are participating in the mission attended, too.
ABCC president Osmar Chohfi said at the seminar that innovation is no longer a farfetched idea but a necessary part of the routine across all sectors of economy. “At the ABCC, we understand the current concept of innovation, and we’re excited with all the possibilities it can offer us in strengthening trade ties in several fields,” he said.
Results
In a press conference in the late afternoon at St. Regis Downtown hotel in Dubai, Doria announced some results of the companies participating in the mission. Agritex Trading will announce an investment of almost BRL 1 billion (USD 180 million) in the state; digital bank Inove Banco will open an international office in Dubai; Kidy Calçados reported it will increase its productive capacity to meet the demand of the UAE; R&S Blumos of plant-based protein will also expand operations to serve the Middle Eastern market. Ambev said it will start distributing soft drink Guaraná Antarctica in the region. Other results will be announced at the end of the mission.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
