São Paulo – Eduardo Botelho Barbosa, 61, will be the ambassador of Brazil in Algeria starting on September 15th. To the diplomat, both countries already have consolidated political relations, so he believes it is important to develop trade relations further.
“We have a Brasil-Algeria partnership that is complementary, very solid, based on the competitive advantages of each. Algeria, with its abundant energy resources, Brazil, with its booming agriculture. There, we have a possibility of exchange, which has totalled around US$ 4 billion in recent years, with a surplus for Algeria, resulting in us Brazilians having to further develop our participation in the Algerian market, a market that is growing well,” said Barbosa, during his visit on Monday (5) to the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
In 2012, bilateral trade between both countries was US$ 4.367 billion. Algeria exported the equivalent to US$ 3.197 billion in Brazil, mostly in fuel. Brazil, in turn, exported the equivalent to US$ 1.169 billion to the Algerians. Food was the main product sold.
Up to Wednesday (7), Barbosa has a series of meetings scheduled with Brazilian companies at the Arab Brazilian Chamber offices to learn about the commercial interests of Algeria. The companies that are part of the meeting agenda of the diplomat are sectors like construction, vehicles and auto parts, agricultural implements, shoes and defence equipment, among others.
“The partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber is very important, as it has a long-standing tradition of operation in the Arab countries and is a fundamental partner for our work in Algeria,” said the diplomat.
To Barbosa, there is no problem in Brazilian bilateral trade with Algeria being focussed on basic products. “Let’s not think little of the commodity area, as, if you analyse global trade statistics, most of the trade between nations in the world is in commodities, and each country takes advantage of its natural benefits,” he said.
To him, there are other sectors in which Brazil could advance on the Algerian market, not forgetting about luxury commodities. “I see other possibilities on the Brazilian side, like the sector of building material, juices, as well as greater space in areas in which we are already present, like meats, soy and sugar. It is worth it recalling that Algeria is a competitive market. The whole world wants to sell to the Algerians. We cannot forget what we already have,” he pointed out.
Last month, Algeria released an international call for the installation of foreign companies in the country territory, as disclosed by ANBA in an article on July 26 (http://www2.anba.com.br/noticia/21213069/business-opportunities/algeria-seeks-industrial-partnerships/). According to Barbosa, the entry of companies in the Algerian market is a “natural route” in the process of internationalisation of Brazilian companies.
“To these companies, it is a challenge to enter the market in North Africa, but it is a necessary step. I think that it is a natural route and I would encourage companies to eye the investment possibilities in this market, which we know to be a market with significant potential for growth ahead, and I believe that Brazil could be a partner in coming years,” he said.
A diplomat since 1977, Barbosa has already been in countries like the United States, Canada, England, Russia and Bolivia. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, he speaks fluent English and French. This is the first time he will head an embassy.
*Translated by Mark Ament
