Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – Parliament members from Kuwait who visited Brazil last week were surprised with the political system in the country. "We did not expect to see such development. I confess that I am surprised," stated the representative and coordinator of the delegation, Jamal Al-Omar, who was accompanying representative Saleh Ahmad Ashour and another three parliament secretaries. The group, which arrived in Brazilian capital Brasília last Tuesday (13), visited the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, in São Paulo, on Friday (16). On Sunday (18) they left to Mexico.
The delegation came to Brazil with the objective of exchanging information and experience with members of the Brazilian legislative. "It is very important to listen to and come closer to the politicians from other countries so as to feel the difficulties found in the democratic system," stated Al-Omar. According to him, it is common for politicians from Kuwait to make this kind of trip.
According to Al-Omar, parliament members in Kuwait are elected by the people every four years. Women gained the right to vote in the Arab country six months ago. Although Kuwait is a monarchy, the work of the parliament members is similar to that of those in other countries, with other kinds of government, according to Al-Omar. "We approve laws," stated the representative.
The group, which was accompanied by the Kuwaiti ambassador to Brazil, Hamood Al-Roudhan, visited the Lower House and the Senate, where they met Senate president, Renan Calheiros, senators and representatives. During the visit they discussed, among other topics, the need to expand political, diplomatic and cultural relations between Brazil and the Arab country. Al-Omar also invited the members of the Brazilian parliament to visit Kuwait.
On Friday (16), the delegation visited São Paulo, where they met directors at the Arab Brazilian Chamber to discuss closer ties between both countries. "We also have economic interests, that is why we came to the Arab Brazilian Chamber," stated Al-Omar. The parliament members also discussed the organization of the Summit of South American – Arab Countries, which took place in Brazil this year, and activities to increase trade relations and investment.
Kuwait
The Arab country has 10% of the world oil reserves and the country economy is based on the exploration of oil. The Kuwaiti Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is US$ 53.6 billion. Last year Brazilian exports to the country totalled US$ 127.9 million, representing an increase of 73% over the result for the previous year. Brazilian imports from Kuwait totalled US$ 22.2 million, a drop of 70%.
From January to August this year, Brazilian foreign sales to Kuwait have already totalled US$ 119.8 million. Among the main products are chicken meat and cattle beef, cars, aluminium threads, vehicle bodies and shoes. With regard to imports, in the first eight months of 2005, Brazil purchased US$ 12.4 million from the Arab country. The main product is naphtha for the petrochemical industry.
*Translated by Mark Ament
