São Paulo – A group of Qatari executives is set to arrive in São Paulo next week with plans to land deals with Brazilians. Led by the Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the mission will be the biggest yet from the Arab country to Brazil, according to Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce CEO Michel Alaby, who stresses that they’re interested in fostering two-way trade between the countries.
“They were here before at the Apas Show to look into the market. Now, they are looking for actual deals,” the CEO said, mentioning the São Paulo Supermarkets Association Fair held in early May. The QDB was one of the exhibitors featured in a stand organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber during the trade show.
The government-run QDB invests in economic and industrial development and diversification in Qatar. The bank has been a major driver of social and economic advances in the country.
Coming to Brazil are players from industries including agribusiness, food, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and metals, plus the QDB’s entire board. They will have two days’ worth of appointments. On Tuesday (26), they will meet and discuss deals with Brazilians. This will be an opportunity for the Brazilians involved to build closer ties with the Qatari businesspersons and the QDB executives. A business matchmaking session will take place at the offices of the Arab Brazilian Chamber.
On Wednesday (27), the Qataris will visit the Port of Santos, a key export-import site in Brazil.
The Tuesday meetings will take place at the headquarters of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, on São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue. Registration is available free of charge on the Chamber’s website.
According to Alaby, who will give a presentation to the Qataris on how to do business with Brazilians, the visitors do intent to strike actual deals. “Some are looking to import and others to export. The role of the Arab Chamber is to enable meetings between Brazilians an Qataris so they can talk business,” he said.
Last year, Brazil exported USD 378 million worth of goods to Qatar and imported USD 532 million from Qatar. The gas-rich Arab country has a rather liberal economy; it espouses free markets as well as foreign investment. According to Alaby, the visit next week will also involve the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which Qatar will host.
Quick facts
Commercial Opportunities in Qatar
Tuesday, September 26, 9 am
Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Walid Yazigi Auditorium, Avenida Paulista, 283 – 11th floor, Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP
Click here to register free of charge (in Portuguese)
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
