São Paulo – The Arab countries of North Africa aim to diversify their economic partners. They are seeking alternatives for European investment and plan to attract Brazilian capital. This is the analysis made by the Governmental Relations executive at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Tamer Mansour, who is in Cairo, on concluding a tour of the region that also included meetings in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt.
“The countries in North Africa were always faithful to the European market, but they aim to abandon this dependence immediately,” pointed out the executive. “Especially due to the crisis that being faced by the countries with which they had the strongest connections, like Italy, Spain and France. They aim to open their markets and there are opportunities for Brazilian investment in the countries, especially in the infrastructure area,” he pointed out.
In Morocco, where Mansour was early this week, in the company of the International Business executive at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Júlia Paz, they had meetings at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and at the Ministry of Trade and Investment, as well as a visit to the Moukry chain, specialized in carpets.
At the Federation, according to Mansour, the topics discussed included business opportunities between both countries and the exchange of technical and economic information between the chambers. The Moroccans showed interest in creating a bi-national council with the Brazilians.
At the ministry, there was a meeting with the investment director, Imani Masmoudi. “She showed that there are opportunities for investment through tenders in the building area,” said Mansour. Businessmen in the Moukry chain showed interest in starting importing leather from Brazil.
In Egypt, Mansour met with executives of Expolink, a private organisation that brings together exporters in the country. “They aim to promote Egyptian exports to Brazil, especially raw material for fabric, food and hospital products. There is also interest in taking a delegation of Egyptian businessmen to Brazil,” he explained.
Mansour’s next meetings in Egypt will be at the Ministry of Trade and Investment, at the Ministry of Agriculture and at the Association of Importers of Beef and Poultry. The country completes the route of the Arab Brazilian Chamber executives in North Africa.
*Translated by Mark Ament
