São Paulo – The mayor of São Paulo, Gilberto Kassab, met yesterday (3), in Beirut, with the president of Lebanon, Michel Suleiman, and prime minister Fouad Siniora. Kassab is promoting a seven-day visit to the country in the company of the municipal secretary and businessmen.
According to information supplied by the City Hall, in his meeting with the president, Kassab spoke about the economic stability of Brazil and Lebanon, despite the international financial crisis, which, in his evaluation, favours the establishment of commercial agreements. Suleiman, in turn, recalled the Brazilian support to peace in the Middle East and said he hopes that bilateral relations advance based on cultural affinity between both countries. Brazil has the largest population of Lebanese origin outside Lebanon.
In his meeting with Siniora, according to the Beirut City Hall, Kassab heard from the prime minister that Lebanon is interested in expanding agreements for cooperation with Brazil and added that he works for the reestablishment of a direct flight between both countries, with at least two weekly flights between São Paulo and Beirut. The Lebanese Middle East Airlines has already operated a route to Brazil, but it was cancelled. Nowadays, the only airline to offer a direct flight to Brazil is Emirates Airline, from Dubai.
The mayor said to the prime minister that one of the objectives of his visit to Lebanon is to learn about project Solidere, for the reconstruction of the centre of Beirut, implemented after the civil war in the country, which lasted 15 years. Kassab believes that it is possible to reach solutions adopted in the Lebanese capital in the recovery of the centre of São Paulo.
Still yesterday, the delegation from São Paulo visited the offices of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry for Arab Countries, where he met the organisation’s president, banker Adnan Kassar. Among those present was the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Salim Taufic Schahin. The Arab Brazilian Chamber is a member of the General Union.
There, according to information supplied by the City Hall, Kassab spoke to an audience of businessmen from both countries. He said that Lebanon is a gateway to the Middle East and plans to attract investment from the region to São Paulo. Adnan Kassar pointed out the economic stability of both regions.
On Monday, Kassab had a meeting with the president of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berry. "With this visit, we want to reaffirm our interest in expanding relations between Lebanon and Brazil, especially with São Paulo, and to establish a permanent channel for economic cooperation," said the mayor, according to a press statement disclosed by his press department.
Abu Dhabi
Still yesterday, the Foreign Relations Secretariat of the city of São Paulo was invited to participate in the Global City conference, to take place in April, in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is an international forum on sustainable urban policies and strategies.
The administration of São Paulo is going to participate in a debate about "Local Strategies on the Climate". According to the secretariat, the event should bring together over 1,000 representatives of public and private sectors from 250 cities.
*Translated by Mark Ament
