Marina Sarruf, special envoy*
Doha – The business delegation from the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina finished its mission to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar yesterday (05) with perspectives of closing deals worth US$ 68 over the next 24 months. "It was a very fruitful mission. We visited countries that need suppliers to cater to a strong demand resulting from growth," claimed the president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (Fiesc), Alcantaro Corrêa, who is also head of the delegation.
The trip was organized in partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, with the goals of getting acquainted with the Gulf construction market, and promoting Santa Catarina products in the region. According to Corrêa, the results were so positive that Fiesc is already planning to organize a new mission to the Arab countries next year. “More missions are needed for businessmen to realize the potential of this market, which has a lot of capital for building and investing," he said.
Last year, exports from Santa Catarina to the three visited countries amounted to US$ 70 million. If the contacts that were established prove fruitful, then the state wiill double its exports to the region. Main possible deals include a joint venture in the Saudi Arabian electric energy sector, the reconstruction of the floor of Kuwait National Library, which covers an area of 30,000 squaremetres, and the exporting of all necessary material to decorate 14 suites in the private island house of the president of the United Arab Emirates, Zayd bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan.
According to Michel Alaby, Arab Chamber secretary-general, the mission opened doors that will never close again, for those who wish to export to the Gulf. “There are many business opportunities here for Brazilian companies,” he said. By 2010, Kuwait city, the capital of Kuwait, Dubai, in the Arab Emirates, and Doha, the capital of Qatar, are expected to invest US$ 200 billion in projects for expansion in tourism and business.
Other positive aspects of the trip pointed out by the businessmen were the cooperation agreements signed between Fiesc and the Kuwait and Dubai Chambers of Commerce and Industry . “The agreements opened new vistas for Santa Catarina companies willing to enter the market," said Fiesc vice president for regional affairs, Guido Búrigo, who also owns electric energy companies Milano and Mecril.
Impressions
The executives from Santa Catarina were surprised with the economic potential of the Arab market. "What impressed me the most was the number of ongoing constructions and projects in the area. We learned a lot from their market. Living and seeing their reality is quite different from hearing about it," said Nivaldo Pinheiro, owner of construction company Procave.
Also on Sunday (05), in Doha, the business delegation from Santa Catarina was received at the headquarters of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Chamber board members Nasser Ahmed Al-Meer and Ali Bin Abdulatif Almisnad Almuhanadi participated in the event, as well as executives in the construction business who were interested in Brazilian furnishing and ornamental plants.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
