São Paulo – Company Green Space General Trading, headquartered in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, was established three months ago by businessmen Nasser Laieb and Reyadh N. Hanna with the objective of working exclusively with Brazilian products. Initially, the businessmen, who are in Brazil, are going to start buying food. “We want to be the best window into Brazil in the Arab market,” said Laieb.
During their visit to Brazil, the businessmen have already closed orders with companies Itamaraty and Marilan, makers of biscuits, chocolates and cakes. Both are going to ship a container each to Dubai. According to Laieb, the idea is to start promoting brands of biscuits in the Arab market for future expansion of imports.
Apart from the biscuits, the trading company is also interested in sweets and lollipops. Up to Friday (13), businessmen should meet with representatives of companies Riclan and Aladim. According to Laieb, Green Space General Trading should operate with partners in the Arab world. In the case of Algeria, for example, the company already has a local partner to receive Brazilian products directly from the country, with no need to cross Dubai.
In the sector of sweets, the trading company believes that, if the price is good, imports may reach at least 20 containers a month, mainly to countries in North Africa, which are great consumers. According to Laieb, one of the advantages of the trading company is that it may close a deal for a container with products from different brands.
"We are open to negotiation with any food company,” said Laieb. According to him, the initial forecast is for imports from Brazil of around US$ 6 million a year. The choice for operation with Brazilian products, according to businessmen, took place due to the quality of the product, package and price. The greatest difficulty, according to them, is the matter of exchange oscillation.
The offices of Green Space General Trading are at a food wholesale centre in Dubai, in Al Rass. At the site, the company has a showroom, where it sells wholesale. In future, the plans are to work with distribution.
The trading company’s plans for 2010 include opening an office in Brazil for the import of some products from the Middle East, like dates, dried figs, currants, olive oil, apricots and pistachio.
Partners
Laieb’s partner, Reyadh Hanna, was born in Iraq, but has been living in Brazil for over 20 years. They both met when they worked with imports and exports. Both have been in the sector for 15 years and believe that the economy of Brazil is growing and becoming one of the most powerful.
Contact
Green Space General Trading
Tel.: +971 4 225-7216
Fax: +971 4 225-7217
Email: greenspc@eim.ae
*Translated by Mark Ament
