São Paulo – The Kurdistan region, located in north Iraq, seeks alternatives for diversifying its suppliers and investors. Works in infrastructure, transportation, housing and education for the next five years are estimated to be worth US$ 30 billion. Presently, the main partners of the region are Iran and Turkey.
According to the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, who is in Kurdistan attending the DBX Sulaimaniyah International Tradeshow, construction contracts between Turkey and the Kurdish region for the years of 2010 and 2011 total US$ 5 billion. "They are seeking alternatives and are interested in Brazilian companies," stated Alaby, who met on this Thursday (12th) with the chairman of the Kurdistan Constructors Union (KCU), Nawroz Jamal Khaffaf.
According to the chairman, the union has 3,000 affiliates, including construction companies and consultancy firms. In order to promote the tenders and the demand for building material of works in the region, the union has the Website www.balendaran.com. To bring Brazil closer to the region and increase the trade flow, the Arab Brazilian Chamber signed today a deal with the Kurdistan Region Exporters and Importers Union.
According to Alaby, who met with the chairman of the union, Shekh Mustafa Abdulla, the agreement provides for exchange of information and of trade delegations, participation at fairs, sharing of statistics, and of other data that may collaborate to increase trade flow between the two regions.
At the meetings, Alaby was accompanied by the Brazilian ambassador to Iraq, Bernardo de Azevedo Brito. The secretary general arrived on Tuesday in Kurdistan, where he is promoting the Brazilian products at the DBX fair. This is the second time that the organization takes part in the event. Aside from Brazil, exhibitors from Iran, Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Japan are participating.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber stand has already received over 50 contacts, mainly of businessmen interested in beef, chicken meat and sugar. The fair, which covers 2,000 square metres, also has a stand for the Brazilian food company Sadia, represented by its local partner.
At the opening of the fair, on Wednesday (11th), the Kurdish prime minister, Barhan Salek, praised the participation of foreign exhibitors. In the evening, the governor of Sulaimaniyah, Dana Ahmed Magid, offered dinner to the Brazilian delegation. The fair, which is multisectorial, will continue until Saturday (14th).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
