São Paulo – Scientific and cultural exchange between universities in Brazil and Lebanon and the launch of a direct flight between the two countries were some of the topics on the agenda of Brazilian and Lebanese congressmen during the 2015 Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference, organized by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants.
Six representatives from Brazil’s Congress were invited for the event, which ran from Thursday (21st) to Saturday (23rd). The Brazilian delegation comprised Jandira Feghali (PCdoB-RJ), Carlos Marun (PMDB-MS), César Halum (PRB-TO), Arnaldo Jordy (PPS-PA), Ricardo Izar (PSd-SP) and Jorge Tadeu Mudalen (DEM-SP).
Feghali told ANBA this Monday (25th) that Lebanon has had no president for over a year, is experiencing political instability, and is laden by conflicts south and north, where it touches borders with Syria.
“Obviously, this reality gets in the way of public or private investment from other countries. Still, work can be done on certain fronts: petroleum, offshore drilling technology, energy diversity, tourism incentives, scientific and academic exchange between universities, cultural exchange, the teaching of Arabic in Brazil and other issues,” Feghali said.
The congresswoman also said she and the Brazilian delegation also had the opportunity to meet with Lebanon’s Central Bank governor Riad Salameh and National Assembly president Nabih Berri. At the meeting with the Central Bank governor, the congressmen discussed launching a direct flight between the two countries, by Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines, to increase tourist flows.
The 2015 Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference was held for the second straight year to strengthen Lebanon’s ties with its diaspora. Over the event’s three days, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants presented projects for expatriate communities and sectorial meetings were held.
Feghali said another of the event’s goals was to strengthen Lebanon’s connection with countries with large Lebanese communities. There are approximately 8 million Lebanese persons in Brazil, she said. The event welcomed 1,200 Lebanese or Lebanese descendents from 73 countries. Feghali and the other Brazilian congressmen are of Lebanese descent.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
