Giuliana Napolitano
São Paulo – Brazilian businessmen interested in participating in the reconstruction of Iraq have just gained an ally. The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB) has been discussing methods for Brazilian companies to sell to Iraq through Jordan and Syria. The organization is also preparing a study that brings together the main business possibilities in Iraq, informed CCAB president Paulo Atallah to ANBA, from Cairo.
Atallah arrived in Cairo yesterday (24), to participate in meetings with businessmen and local authorities, after passing through Lebanon, where he discussed Iraq. In Beirut, Atallah met Lebanese president Émile Lahoud and also visited the Federation of Chambers of Commerce to discuss the CCAB proposal of using country infrastructure so as to export to Iraq.
"There are two ways we can enter Iraq. One is through the Gulf countries (among them the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait), and another is through Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon," he informed. "And the Chamber is evaluating these routs," he added.
The CCAB is also finishing a study about business opportunities in Iraq. "We will show the history of Brazilian relations with Iraq, statements by former players, i.e., subsidies for business operation," he declared.
Direct flight confirmed
From Lebanese president Lahoud, Atallah also received confirmation that a direct flight between São Paulo and Beirut will be created. The flight should be run by Lebanese company Middle East Airlines, which operated a similar flight between 1995 and 1998. "The president stated he is engaged in creating the flight," declared the CCAB president.
According to Atallah, the rout has already been approved by the government and is in the "final steps" of adjustment. When it goes into operation, this will be the only direct connection between Brazil and the Arab countries.
"Made in Lebanon"
The flight should contribute to trade between the partners, as one of the main obstacles to business with the region, according to many businessmen, is transport difficulty.
Alternatives for greater bilateral trade, incidentally, were another subject discussed during the meeting between Lahoud and Atallah. The CCAB president proposed the establishment of a fair in Brazil, with products "made in Lebanon," to be organized in partnership with the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce.
Last year, total trade between Brazil and Lebanon reached US$ 61.6 million. The trade balance is favourable to Brazil. Brazilian export to the country totalled US$ 54.8 million, supported mainly by cattle beef, and coffee. Import, mainly phosphates, totalled US$ 6.8 million. Despite small, total trade between both countries rose around 20% in comparison to 2002, when export was US$ 46.2 million, and imports were US$ 5.2 million.