Alexandre Rocha
and Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – The government of the state of São Paulo and the League of Arab States signed today (12) a protocol of intentions to promote cooperation in the areas of science and technology, information technologies and communications, agriculture and agribusiness, international trade, international partnerships, tourism and culture.
"The protocol is an effort by the state of São Paulo to bring closer the universities, the science and technology sectors and to strengthen the trade relationship with the Arab countries," said governor Geraldo Alckmin, who participated at the opening seminar at the Brazil-Arab Countries Business Meeting in São Paulo, organised by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB).
The document was signed by Alckmin and the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Mussa, who also participated at the event.
Alckmin recalled that the state has good part of the Arab colony living in Brazil. "We have 100 years of friendship, here (in São Paulo) live more than 6 million Arabs and descendants. São Paulo is an Arab state," he said.
He added that the state represents almost half of Brazilian exports to the Arab world and almost one third of the imports from the region. "São Paulo consolidates itself as an important exports platform," said the governor. "We have the opportunity of being partners both in exports as in imports," he declared. "Furthermore, the Arab countries may partners both in exports as in imports," he added.
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey
