São Paulo – Jordan has brought seven companies to showcase their pastries, herbs, spices, jams, hummus, biscuits, chocolates and dates at the supermarket fair APAS Show 2022 in São Paulo. On Monday (17), the stand of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), where the companies are, was visited by Jordanian senator Issa Murad, the Jordanian ambassador to Brasília, Maen Masadeh, and the Jordanian honorary consul in São Paulo, Mustapha Abdouni.
This is the second time that Issa Murad comes to Brazil. In an interview with ANBA, he said this is an opportunity for Jordanian companies to showcase their products and get to know more of the Brazilian market. He also said that Jordan is interested in exporting its products and importing more products from Brazil to ensure its foods security.
“We buy a lot of beef and poultry from Brazil and export fertilizers to the country, and now we’re seeking opportunities to boost cooperation and bilateral relations. I believe there’re many opportunities in South America, particularly in Brazil, and the show is very worthwhile,” Murad said.
The senator said that Brazilian companies could also finish their products in Jordan to sell in the Middle East region. “We’re geographically distant, but we can do this rapprochement. That’s why we’re here,” he finished.
Trading company Adnan Khudari & Sons director-general Ahmad Khudari is also part of the Jordanian mission. In addition to bringing its company to exhibit, he has represented industry entities as he’s the deputy chairman of the Amman Chamber of Industry and chairman of the Jordanian Exporters Association.
Khudari (L) and Al Jitan
“We’re really glad to be here. We’re seeking opportunities to export our products and we’re seeking Brazilian products to buy, too,” he told ANBA. The trading firm Khudari sells spices, natural herbs, rose water, pomegranate molasses, Medjool dates, biscuits, and other products.
Khudari exports to 45 countries and hopes to break into South America through Brazil. “The COVID has postponed our visit to Brazil, so the expectations are high. Next year, we expect to bring 20 to 40 companies,” he said.
Mahmoud Al Jitan is vice chairman of the Jordan Industry Chamber and CEO of the pastry and biscuit firm Paradise Bakeries. The company exports to 15 countries and this is the first time Al Jitan comes to Brazil. “We came to discover the country and this show, and we expect a successful story,” he told ANBA. He reinforced Khudari’s desire to bring more Jordanian companies in next year’s APAS Show. “People around the world enjoy our flavors. We have much to offer,” he said.
Ambassador Maen Masadeh agreed with Khudari and Al Jitan about a larger participation in APAS in 2023 and said there are plans to diversify bilateral relations and joint ventures between the two countries. “My expectations [for the APAS Show] are high, the Jordanian businesspeople are very optimistic, and the Jordanian products are pretty competitive. I already know what Brazilians like, and I’m sure that the products will be popular as the Arab flavors are familiar here,” he said.
Jordan’s mission to Brazil was organized by the Brazil-Jordan Business Association (JBBA), in partnership with the Jordan Export House & Trade (JEHT), with support from the ABCC and Jordanian Embassy to Brazil.
Here’s more on the APAS Show:
Arabs showcase coffee, olives and packaging at APAS Show
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
