São Paulo – Brazilian exports of agricultural machinery and equipment to Sudan have gone from US$ 2.9 million in 2007 to US$ 7 million last year. The data were mentioned by the foreign trade consultant to the Brazilian Machinery and Equipment Industry Association (Abimaq), Casemiro Bruno Taleikis, during the Sudanese ministry of Industry Awad Ahmed Al-Jaz’s visit to the head offices of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, in São Paulo.
Even though they have more than doubled, sales to Sudan are still very low considering what Brazil could export, according to Taleikis. Brazil is the 20th supplier to the Arab country in this sector. "We are certain that exports can increase," said the consultant.
Al-Jaz, who was accompanied by a delegation of 20 government officials and private sector representatives, stated that the Sudanese are prepared to establish partnerships and joint projects with Brazil.
According to him, Sudan would like to benefit from the success of Brazilian agribusiness. "We hope that the two countries will be able to supply food to the world, in the agricultural sector, the grain sector. We are prepared to cooperate, to establish a partnership between Sudanese and Brazilians," said Al-Jaz.
The minister, who has attended a series of meetings in Brasília and will attend others in the capital and the interior of the state of São Paulo, claimed that some Brazilian companies and organizations have already visited Sudan and have begun operating in the country. "We are calling for investors to come in," he declared.
The main business opportunities, according to the minister, are in agriculture, water resources, oil, gas and ore. "There are many sectors that can be tapped into," he said. Al-Jaz also said that there are six sugarcane mills in the country right now, with capacity for grinding 8 million tonnes per year, and three other are being built.
Al-Jaz and the delegation were received at the Arab Brazilian Chamber by Brazilian agricultural machinery and equipment manufacturing companies interested in doing business with the Sudanese enterprises. At the meeting, the Sudanese representatives showed much interest in becoming familiar with the activities of Brazilian companies.
To the Brazilian businessman Paulo Hegg, who is accompanying the Sudanese delegation, now is the time to establish closer ties with the Arab country. "The economic moment in Sudan right now is extraordinary for that. We must join forces in the private sector to enable credit and financing lines to Sudan, which has a huge potential for machinery and equipment," he said.
The minister called on the Brazilian businessmen to attend the Khartoum International Fair, held once a year in the Sudanese capital. "We would like to build partnerships with Brazilian companies that may expand [their activities] into other African countries," he said.
At the Arab Brazilian Chamber, the minister was welcomed by the secretary general, Michel Alaby, and the Foreign Relations vice president, Helmi Nasr. The minister has scheduled appointments in Brazil up until Friday. The delegation is going to visit enterprises in the cities of Piracicaba and Ribeirão Preto, and attend meetings with building company Odebrecht and the Sugarcane Industry Union (Única).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
