Isaura Daniel, special envoy*
Brasília – A new phase is beginning in relations between the Arab and South American countries. It was in this spirit that the Business Meeting began in Brazilian capital Brasília this morning (9). The event is part of the program to take place in parallel to the Summit of South American – Arab Countries. "We are beginning a new trajectory in relations between South America and the Arab countries," stated the minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, at the event opening the meeting, at the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Centre.
The ceremony began the seminars about the economics of both regions and the investment fair to take place from today and Wednesday, in which the countries involved in the summit will be showing their investment potential. The meeting should bring together around 820 businessmen – Arab and South American.
Furlan opened the event together with Leila Rachid de Cowles, the minister of Foreign Relations of Paraguay – the country that is currently occupying the rotating presidency of the Mercosur, the customs union that also includes Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay -, the minister of Industry and Trade of Algeria, El Hachemi Djaaboub, the deputy minister of Foreign Relations of Peru and representative of the Andean Community, Armando Lecaros, the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyad, the president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), Antonio Sarkis Jr, and the Brazilian secretary general for Foreign Relations, Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães.
"This is a historic moment, it may be the first time that two regions in the developing world, South America and the Arabs, meet. We were capable of overcoming the scepticism there was regarding this meeting," stated Guimarães. Minister Furlan stated that trade between Brazil and the Arab countries, which totalled US$ 8.2 billion last year, should exceed US$ 15 billion in three years.
He recalled that exports and imports have already grown substantially since the beginning of this year and pointed out some countries like Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, Syria and Kuwait, for this performance. Furlan also pointed out the work being developed by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB) for the expansion of trade relations between Brazil and the Arab world.
In an interview soon after the opening of the event, the president of the CCAB recalled the potential of Arab consumption. "Last year the Arab market imported US$ 240 billion. This is a new market and it has great potential. The Brazilian businessmen must eye all the markets, including the Arab," he said.
Among the products that may be sold to the region in the largest volumes, Sarkis pointed out medical and hospital equipment, vehicles, like buses, lorries and tractors, agricultural machinery, shoes and garments. The Brazilian secretary general for Foreign Relations stated that, like Brazil, the remaining countries in South America may increase their trade with the Arab world.
Immigrants
Various authorities present at the opening event addressed the importance of Arab descendants to the development of Brazil. "Arabs took civilization to various parts of Brazil," stated Guimarães, regarding immigration. "Brazil has great entrepreneurs of Arab origin," stated Furlan. Minister Leila also mentioned the blood ties that link the Arabs and South Americans.
The event was an opportunity for Arab authorities and businessmen to learn more about the Mercosur and the Andean Community and for the South Americans to learn more about the countries in the Arabian Gulf.
Minister Leila mentioned the current state of the Mercosur and its various trade agreements, among them the one to be signed between the GCC up to the end of the summit, on Wednesday. The same was done by representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council and of the Andean Community. Al-Attiyah, from the GCC, confirmed the interest of his bloc in the Mercosur.
*Translated by Mark Ament