Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – The construction sector in the United Arab Emirates presents opportunities for Brazilian companies in the area of consultancy in work safety, architecture, and management and finishing of works. This is one of the conclusions reached by the Brazilian delegation in the construction sector that is visiting the Arab country. "If there is continuation in the contacts made with the companies visited good fruit may arise," stated the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, who is accompanying the group of 18 businessmen during their trip.
The delegation, made up of members of the Civil Construction Industry Association in the state of São Paulo (Sinduscon-SP), arrived in Abu Dhabi on April 21 and is now in Dubai. The objective is to exchange experiences, work on technological exchange with local businessmen and learn about the main works in the country. According to Alaby, company Arab Gulf Pearl Trading Establishment, from Dubai, has already shown interest in hiring qualified labour from Brazil.
Yesterday (25), Brazilian businessman Carlos Frank, from company Gesso New, which operates in the sector of wall and ceiling tiling, met with the general manager of Gulf Pearl Trading Establishment. The trading company wants to take a specialized team of engineers to the country to work in decoration. Gulf Pearl is intermediating the hiring for company Larson and Troubo.
The Brazilian businessmen believe that national products for civil construction, like tiles and granites, are competitive in the Arab market. However, more than exporting to the region, Alaby believes that businessmen should associate themselves to local companies, to gain the trust of their partners and, later, execute joint investment.
According to Alaby, Brazilian businessmen are impressed with the projects in the Emirates. In Abu Dhabi, the delegation visited company Al Dar Projects, which presented its construction projects for the next eight years, evaluated at around US$ 30 billion. They also visited Al Dar Properties, which collects funds from the Emirates and countries of the Gulf for construction of buildings, resorts and apartment complexes, and construction company Sorouh Real State, which is developing the Al Reem Island construction project, a neighbourhood with over one million square metres including buildings, houses, resorts and shopping centres, also evaluated at US$ 30 billion. The beginning of works is forecasted for 2007.
Sorouh Real State was also responsible for the construction of condominium Al Khalida, which includes 150 high-end homes each with an area of 400 square metres, built in 500 days. "The businessmen could see the technology, finishing and architecture used," stated Alaby. Another residential complex that was visited was one developed by Tamouh Group, also of high-end housing. Apart from the visits to companies, the group of businessmen also met with the Brazilian ambassador in the Emirates, Flávio Sapha and visited the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.
Dubai
In Dubai, the delegation visited Dubai Properties, responsible for the construction of neighbourhoods Jumeirah Beach Residence and Business Bay, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Another meeting was with the marketing and communications director at the Dubai transport and highway authority, Aysha Al Busmait. "She showed interest in learning about the profile of the Brazilian companies so that they may participate in future tenders in the areas of services for subways, shops and other works," said Alaby.
Today (26), the businessmen are going to visit the artificial islands Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Water Font and also the Burj Dubai, the building that intends to be the tallest in the world. The group is going to return to Brazil next Saturday (29).
*Translated by Mark Ament
