São Paulo – The Palestinian government and businessmen are hoping for a free trade agreement to be signed soon between their country and the Mercosur. The statement was made by Ziad Anabtawi, the vice president of the Palestinian Businessmen Association, who is currently in São Paulo attending the Food Ingredients South America trade show.
"A free trade agreement is expected because of the support from the Brazilian government and president Lula (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva). I believe we should sign it soon," said Anbatawi in an interview to ANBA, at the head office of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. The request for an agreement with Palestine was submitted by Brazil to the other Mercosur member countries and is being negotiated.
In March this year, Lula visited Palestine alongside a delegation of Brazilian businessmen and claimed that Brazil is interested in importing products from the Arab country. "I was very excited upon hearing him and witnessing the enthusiasm that he and the Brazilian government have in helping Palestinian people, who are facing very difficult circumstances under Israeli occupation," said Anabtawi.
According to the businessman, Brazil imports several products from other Arab countries that could be purchased directly from Palestine. He mentions olive oil, dates, zaatar, herbs, spices, hummus and pickles. In addition to foods, he also underscores that religious tourism promotes the sale of products made from olive trees, and that Palestine also exports stones and marble.
"All of the marble used in the San Diego Airport [in the United States] was imported from Palestine, as well as some of the marble used in the Chicago Airport. We have a company in Palestine that is considered the world’s second largest in exports of stones and marble. I am certain that if we carry out a detailed research, we may find more items that will interest the Brazilian market," he says.
To Anabtawi, the free trade agreement has a larger meaning aside from its commercial importance. "It should have a strong influence on the political aspect. First off, the acknowledgement of the Palestinian identity through the signing of a free trade agreement, separate from Israel and from any other neighbouring country. Secondly, it should help Palestinians to bypass the high costs affecting our operations due to the Israeli occupation, which greatly increases logistics costs," he explains.
The businessman believes that the agreement would help keep the Palestinians in their territory. "I am calling on president Lula and the Brazilian government to support Palestinian people by making it easier for our products to be imported, which will definitely help the Palestinian people and farmers to stay in their land."
Muhsen Sinokrot, a member of the Palestinian Food Industries Association who has also visited the Arab Brazilian Chamber, highlights that the country has various tourist attractions as well. "There is a lot to be seen in Jerusalem, in Bethlehem and in Jericho. Jericho is celebrating its 10,000th anniversary in 2011 and is the oldest city in the world, and it has a great potential for tourism. We want to call on Brazilians to come to Palestine and see it from the perspective of the Palestinians rather than that of the Israelis, because we have much to offer and to show to Brazilians."
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
