São Paulo – The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce may train employees of similar organisations in Palestine. The proposal arose during the visit of the organisation’s CEO, Michel Alaby, to the West Bank, last week. He discussed the matter with representatives of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Palestine and of the chambers of Bethlehem, Hebron and Nablus.
"[The training] will focus on understanding the Brazilian market, trade institutions and how to trade Palestinian products in Brazil,” said the executive. The idea is to promote the programme in the first half of 2013, with the visit of technicians from Arab organisations to São Paulo.
The Palestinians aim to make use of the opportunities opened in the free trade agreement signed by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the Mercosur late last year. The treaty still needs to be approved by the parliaments of the countries involved, but once approved, immediate repealing of taxation on Palestinian products like olives, olive oil, dates, marble, granite and religious artefacts is forecasted.
The unfolding of the agreement with the South American bloc was one of the main themes discussed by Alaby with members of the Palestinian government and businessmen. There were also proposals for a trade mission from Palestine to Brazil and the organisation of a Brazilian fair in the West Bank next year.
Apart from selling to the Brazilian market, businessmen from Palestine aim to expand their suppliers from Brazil, importing products like meats, chocolates and wood, among others. Another activity that the Palestinians aim to promote is tourism.
*Translated by Mark Ament
