São Paulo – The new Jordanian ambassador to Brasília, Maen Masadeh, is in São Paulo and visited the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) headquarters this Tuesday (18). Masadeh took office in September last year, and this is his first trip to the capital of São Paulo, where he will meet with companies and associations in the coming days. At the ABCC, Masadeh discussed cooperation and diversification of the trade agenda.
He was received by the heads of the ABCC, president ambassador Osmar Chohfi, vice president Mohamed Mourad, board director Mohamed Abdouni, and Institutional Relations manager Fernanda Baltazar. The ABCC Marketing & Content director, Silvana Gomes, participated in the meeting over a video conference.
President Chohfi spoke about how the pandemic has underlined the need to innovate and digitalize the operations of the ABCC. Silvana Gomes and Fernanda Baltazar presented Ellos Blockchain, the institution’s digital platform created to facilitate business. Trade between Brazil and Jordan is already certified by the entity’s blockchain system, which offers multiple services.
Trade balance
Brazil exported USD 293.52 million to Jordan in 2021, mainly poultry, beef, corn, and coffee. There was a 20.6% growth compared to 2020. On the other hand, the country bought USD 130.52 million in Jordanian products last year, a 140.4% increase. The main products were fertilizers and potassium.
Regarding trade between the countries, Masadeh stated he is content with the growth; however, it is crucial to diversify imports and exports. “We have the potential, and we want to bring our products to Brazil for mutual benefit. Both countries can be buyers and sellers,” he declared.
According to the ambassador, food security is a much-discussed topic in Jordan. “Brazil is a country that can help our region. Food security is not just about selling products or ingredients, it is about technology and expertise, and one of the ideas is to have a partnership in this regard,” suggested the ambassador.
He also mentioned the Port of Aqaba is a vital gateway to the Iraqi market. “In addition to being neighbors, we have a history together. There are 100,000 Iraqis in Jordan; many of them are business people,” he said.
Masadeh reinforced his intention to work with the Brazilian embassy in Amman, chambers of commerce, and other interested parties to achieve a common objective; boosting and diversifying trade between the countries.
Historic
The diplomat took his first post as ambassador in the Brazilian capital. Maen Masadeh started his career in 1996 and has served in Qatar, Sudan, Malaysia, and Romania, either as consul or deputy ambassador. He was also director of the Latin and Central America department at the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After three months working in Brasília, he came to visit the city of São Paulo. “I consider myself lucky to be here. Brazil is a great country with many opportunities. My main mission as an ambassador is to foster political, economic, social, and cultural relations between countries. We are on the right path and must continue working, we have a lot of potential, and with the support of our government authorities, we can boost and diversify trade relations,” he said.
Events
The ABCC’s Institutional Relations manager spoke about the relevant events between the countries scheduled for this year. Gulfood, the most significant food and beverage show in the Middle East, will take place in Dubai from February 13 to 17. And from February 17 to 23, Agroweek, the Food and Agriculture Week will occur at Expo 2020 Dubai. Over the two weeks, business meetings will be held between Jordanian and Brazilian business people. “We can hold an event at the Jordan pavilion on fertilizers and invite Brazilian business people from the agriculture sector,” suggested Baltazar.
Next will come the supermarket show APAS, scheduled for May 16 to 19 in São Paulo and was mentioned as an opportunity for Jordanian entrepreneurs from different sectors, such as food, beverages, and hygiene, to enter the Brazilian market. APAS is the most important show in the sector in Latin America.
“It is an important show and will feature an ABCC pavilion. We can bring companies from these sectors, including everything sold in supermarkets. It is an effective way to diversify exports to Brazil,” said Chohfi. Ambassador Masadeh stated he would have a meeting with APAS in the coming days, and this will be an excellent opportunity to show Jordan’s products to Brazil. “And May is a nice month because it is after Ramadan,” he recalled.
Another event on the calendar of mutual interest is the Brazil-Arab Countries Economic Forum, which the ABCC will host on July 4 in São Paulo in a hybrid format. There will also be an Arab business mission on the occasion, from July 2 to 9. “It will be a significant event, and we wish to bring a delegation of Jordanian business people and have at least one Jordanian official participating in the forum, even if only in a virtual way,” said Chohfi.
Jordan’s capital Amman will host a global show in June. “The International Food and Technology Expo 2022 is a momentous event and will feature companies from China, Germany, and even Brazil. So far, we already have eight Brazilian companies confirmed,” said Masadeh.
The Jordanian ambassador thanked the ABCC for its support and partnership and praised ANBA’s work, which he said he reads often.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
