São Paulo – Oman has a new ambassador to Brazil, Talal Al-Rahbi (pictured above), who landed in Brazil three weeks ago seeking to increase investment between the two countries. The diplomat visited the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) in São Paulo this Friday (18), where he spoke with ANBA on his mission for Brazil and Oman to have a greater volume of bilateral investment. At the ABCC, Al-Rahbi was welcomed by director Mohamad Abdouni Neto.
“One of my priorities here is to promote investment between the two countries and encourage Brazilian companies to invest in Oman,” he said. Al-Rahbi stated his country is willing to give Brazilian companies all the necessary support and negotiate land, gas, and other resources. “I am willing to talk directly with any interested companies,” he said.
The ambassador mentioned technology, manufacturing, food, and logistics as sectors of interest, as well as all others. “We are open to this discussion,” he said. A prominent Brazilian mining company, Vale, has operations in Oman. Al-Rahbi thanked Brazil’s investment in Oman through Vale. “It is a very successful investment. Vale in Oman is very respected because it is a good company in terms of employment, support for local communities, professionalism, and good relationship with the government of Oman,” reported the diplomat.
Another goal of the ambassador is to transform Oman into a distribution hub for Brazilian products. The idea is that Brazilian companies could export more to Oman and distribute their products to other regional markets from there. The initiative includes the food sector, where Brazil has high production and expertise. Al Rahbi will also work on exports of products from Oman to Brazil. “I am willing to listen from Brazilian companies about what they need from Oman, be it fertilizers, petrochemicals, or other products they want to import,” he explained.
The diplomat intends to present some Omani companies to Brazilians that could be business partners in the Arab country. The purpose is to put Brazilians in contact with the right companies to discuss what they intend to export and what advantages they can have. “Especially if they are willing to open a distribution hub in Oman for the region,” he said.
Al-Rahbi also discussed these matters and others involving the Brazil-Oman relationship at the meeting with ABCC representatives. Abdouni Neto received the diplomat accompanied by the ABCC’s Market Intelligence manager, Marcus Vinícius, and International Relations analyst, Elaine Prates. The group discussed possible joint actions with the new ambassador.
From January to October 2022, the two countries had fairly balanced trade, with Brazilian exports to Oman totaling USD 984.2 million and shipments from Oman to Brazil at USD 894.4 million. Oman mainly sells fertilizers and oil to the Brazilian market, and Brazil exports iron ore and poultry to the Arab country. Oman is the fifth leading market for Brazil in the Arab world and the sixth main supplier to Brazil among the Arabs.
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The visit to the ABCC took place during the ambassador’s first travel to São Paulo, which was on a personal trip. “It was very important on my first visit to São Paulo to come to the ABCC. I heard this Chamber is very active, helpful, and supports the commercial promotion,” he said. Al Rahbi will have his first mission as ambassador in Brazil. Previously, he worked in economics and planning and led his country’s project, Vision 2040, a roadmap for the country’s development over the next 20 years.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
