São Paulo – On Thursday evening (23) at Vale do Itajaí University (Univali), Santa Catarina, Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce CEO Michel Alaby delivered the first in a series of lectures. He discussed the Chamber’s activities and how it can assist Brazilian businesses. He also covered Arab culture and its impact on deal-making.
“Over 500 people attended, Alaby said. Most were foreign trade students, but executives in food, furniture and building materials – especially ceramic facing – were in the audience as well.
“I showed two videos on the Arab Chamber. After that I explained what the organization does, gave examples of the work we do, and discussed the Arab business culture,” he said.
The Arab Chamber opened an office in Itajaí in the first half of this year to cater to the needs of companies that ship product from the local seaport. The Chamber’s Itajaí branch provides certificates of origin and export papers – the same as in its São Paulo headquarters. It also has a commercial advisor who’s based in Santa Catarina capital Florianópolis and works across the entire state. During his lecture, Alaby introduced the staff of three who work at the local office as well as the commercial advisor.
The opening of the local branch bred the idea of entering into an agreement with Univali to spread knowledge to students and executives regarding the business opportunities available in Arab countries. Other lectures on the Arab market will take place in September, October and November.
Also in the audience for the lecture were the coordinator of Univali’s Foreign Trade and Port Management courses, Manoel Antônio dos Santos, the director of its Business School, Sidney Vieira Marinho, and a delegate from the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (Fiesc), Carlos Frederico da Cunha Teixeira.
Earlier in the day, Alaby sat down with Itajaí Business Association president Mário César Aguiar and vice presidents Nivaldo Pinheiro and Laerson Batista da Costa. “We discussed the [Arab Chamber’s] Itajaí office and the opportunities it can create for local businesses with regard to certification and the information it can provide,” he said. According to Alaby, the local office is already carrying out about 200 certification processes each month.
Trade
Exports from Santa Catarina to Arab countries amounted to USD 592.75 million last year, up 15% from 2016, Alaby said in his address. Poultry is by far the best-selling product – Santa Catarina is one of the leading poultry producing states in Brazil, and the Middle East is the biggest buyer of Brazilian poultry. This is one of the reasons the Arab Chamber launched its Itajaí office.
Exports also comprise timber, electric engines, pumps and compressors, and tobacco.
Conversely, Santa Catarina imported USD 238.69 million worth of goods from Arab countries in 2017, up 43% year-on-year and comprising mainly fertilizers, fish, plastic and plastic products, aluminum and aluminum products, and cotton.
To get in touch with the Chamber’s Itajaí office, please call +55 47 3075-0601/+55 47 3075-0248.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
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