São Paulo – Tunisia wants to increase its exports to Brazil, especially of dates and olive oil. the country also wants to attract Brazilian investment into other sectors of its economy, such as auto parts, the aircraft industry, infrastructure projects and banking services. These were some of the points discussed during the meeting of the Brazil-Tunisia Business Council, held this Monday (2nd) at the head office of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, and attended by representatives of the Arab country’s exporting sector and the of the Brazilian organization’s board of directors.
At the meeting, it was decided that two trade shows are going to be promoted. The first, for promoting Brazilian products in Tunisia, will be held in July 2011. The second, for promoting the Arab country in Brazil, should occur in December next year. Touristic possibilities should also be disclosed at both events.
Presently, phosphate, which is used as a fertilizer, is the leading product exported by Tunisia to Brazil, accounting for 71.3% of sales. On the Brazilian side, sugar is the main item in the export basket, accounting for 33.5% of sales from the country to North Africa. Brazilian imports of dates and olive oil, which are outstanding Tunisian export products, are lower than 1%. Thus, another point that was underscored at the meeting was the need for promoting the brands from each country in the other’s territory.
“We hope to be more productive in our trade relations,” said Salim Taufic Schahin, president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, of the organization’s activities for promoting the increase of business between the two countries. Schahin also suggested the drafting of a schedule of actions to be held among the two countries.
At the meeting, the main obstacles to the growth of bilateral trade were also pointed out, such as high taxation by Brazil on Tunisian products, which reach 80% of the end-consumer price. “We discussed import tariffs imposed by Brazil on Tunisian products, especially dates and olive oil. Perhaps this is a matter to be addressed by the two governments,” said Mohamed Sahraoui, president of the Brazil-Tunisia Business Council, vice president of the Tunisian Union of the Industry, Trade and Craft (Utica) and senator.
Rubens Hannun, honorary consul of Tunisia in São Paulo and the Marketing vice president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, believes that there may be more opportunities for importing products from the Arab country, such as textiles and auto parts, and he also underscored the importance of the two countries’ willingness to increase bilateral trade. “The channels are open, and they do not depend on the council and its meetings, for businessmen to take this road and start moving.“
The council’s next meeting should take place in June 2011, in Tunisia, during the Brazilian fair in the Arab country. The Tunisian delegation arrived in Brazil last Sunday and should stay until next Thursday (5th) for a series of business contacts. In addition to São Paulo, the group should also visit Rio de Janeiro.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
