São Paulo – The diversification of exports from the state of Pernambuco to the Arab world was one of the main themes of a meeting on Wednesday (12), at the offices of the Federation of Trade of the State of Pernambuco (Fecomércio-PE). Seventy businessmen participated in talk ‘Foreign trade with the Arab world’, promoted by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
Last year, 97.26% of exports of Pernambuco to the Arab countreis were sugar and confectionery. Thes state had revenues of US$ 86.5 million in sales to the Arab world.
According to Rodrigo Solano, Market Development manager at the Chamber, the talk covered business opportunities in the sector and busienssmen showed interest in exporting products like water, fashion and food, including regional produce, like jaggery.
“There are opportunities, but greater investment in marketing is necessary as the Arabs do not yet know these products. Once developed, they may be saved from competition,” explained Solano at the talk.
According to the manager, the busienssmen also wanted to know how to invest in the Arab countries and to attract investment to their state, as well as the routes to establish a company in an Arab nation.
During the event, Elias Hadi, the administrative commercial secretary at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, spoke about the services the organistaion offers and about how it can aid businessmen in making contact with the Arab countries.
Josias Albuquerque, the president at Fecomércio, explained that he visited Dubai in 2009, where he attended a talk by the Arab Brazilian Chamber about building sector fair Big 5. "I therefore decided that it would be important for Pernambuco to be involved in this market,” he pointed out.
"We want Fecomércio to be a bridge for contact with the Arab Brazilian Chamber so that it may boost trade with the Arabs,” finished off Albuquerque.
An example of how exports from the state to the Arabs may vary comes from compnay Ortho Pauher, which makes prodcuts for feet, like inner soles, separators for fingers and heels. Their first sale to the Middle East took place in January this year, with exports to Qatar.
"As we already have a good market in Latin America, we see the Arab world as a way to expand our exports,” finished off Pedro Maia, the export manager at Ortho Pauher, who participated in the talk at Fecomércio. According to him, the company is also prospecting the markets of Syria, Lebanon and Bahrain.
*Translated by Mark Ament
