São Paulo – The deputy prime minister of Libya, Imbarek Ashamikh, met yesterday (18), in Brazilian capital Brasília, with the minister of Agriculture, Reinhold Stephanes. According to information disclosed by the Ministry of Agriculture, he confirmed the Libyan government’s intention of investing in Brazil, with special attention to agribusiness.
Ashamikh led a delegation composed of representatives of several areas of the government of the Arab country The main objectives are identification of investment opportunities in Brazil, attraction of investors to Libya and promotion of joint business in other African countries.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Stephanes said that Brazil is open to investment from the Libyan government. On Tuesday, Ashamikh visited two state of the art enterprises in Brazil: a sugar and ethanol mill in Mato Grosso do Sul and a farm for reproduction of cattle in São Paulo.
The government of Libya has separated US$ 500 million for investment in South Africa, according to Ashamikh. Apart from searching for opportunities in Brazil, the delegation is going to try to learn about the best middlemen for assistance in the promotion of this investment.
He has already met the board at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, the governor of the state of São Paulo, José Serra, the mayor of the city of São Paulo, Gilberto Kassab, and businessmen. Today he should have a meeting with ministers Miguel Jorge (Development, Industry and Foreign Trade) and Celso Amorim (Foreign Relations).
In the meeting with Amorim bilateral agreements should be signed, among them one that deals with animal and vegetable health. Before returning to Libya, at the end of the week, Ashamikh should still visit an agricultural project in the state of Bahia.
*Translated by Mark Ament