Al Maya group, from Dubai, closed deals for four containers of rice. Company Al Saeed, from Yemen, is returning with business developed. Around 70 companies visited the Arab Brazilian Chamber stand.

The Brazilian was chosen by Algeria to design the South America Arab Countries library, to be based in Algiers. The design was shown yesterday at a meeting of ministers of Culture in Rio de Janeiro.

Groups from Kuwait and Bahrain are interested in taking café and restaurant franchises to their countries. Representatives of the companies are in São Paulo participating in the Apas supermarket fair.

Items by artist Maqueson Silva, from the state of Acre, crossed the country’s borders 10 years ago. They are sold to Europe, the United States, China, and, since last year, to the emirate of Dubai.

The company wants to double in size by 2012, according to group president Ivan Zurita. For this, the company plans to become more aggressive in the commercial area and to invest in new sectors.

The new company, established from the merger of Sadia and Perdigão, was announced yesterday, in São Paulo. Countries in the Middle East are already among the main foreign markets for both companies.

They are currently in Rio and should meet with their South American colleagues tomorrow to outline a cultural action plan. Nine Arab ministers should attend. A technical meeting will take place today.