São Paulo – The government of the United Arab Emirates is more focused on caring for the population and fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic than on foreign actions, Brazil’s ambassador to Abu Dhabi Fernando Igreja (pictured above) told ANBA. Trade with Brazil is unaffected, and shipping – particularly of food – ensure that supplies are available in the UAE.
The UAE have 10,349 cases of coronavirus, with 1,978 recovered patients and 76 dead according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Igreja said there four Brazilian citizens have been reported as having contracted the virus. “These cases are being kept track of by the Embassy. We have learned that some have recovered, and we haven’t had any deaths, fortunately,” he said.
The UAE’s Covid-19 mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world, the ambassador said. “It would seem that we haven’t hit peak contamination yet, because the numbers keep going up on a daily basis, but at least the healthcare system and the treatment seem to be working well,” he said.
Although the UAE has a private healthcare system, the state is stepping in to provide treatment to the uninsured. “But almost everyone has health insurance, even the tourists,” he said.
Igreja also said the country is providing assistance to non-nationals, including Brazilians, in a variety of situations. “There is great concern, since 85% of the population is non-native,” he noted.
At the Embassy of Brazil, consular services are where the brunt of work is right now, in assisting Brazilians currently in the UAE. “We have some 130 Brazilians here, plus crew members in some of the ships that are docked here in the UAE. On April 21, 125 Brazilians returned to Brazil on an Emirates airliner, which the Embassy worked out in tandem with the carrier,” said Igreja. Most were tourists; some were workers whose contracts got terminated. They paid for their own tickets.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with the Embassy to support Brazilians. “They are being really helpful. This flight on the 21st happened after lots of conversation with Emirates. We are working on another flight now. I believe the company is really willing to cooperate,” he said. Emirates is a state-owned airline.
Last weekend saw a minor loosening of self-isolation in Dubai, according to the ambassador. “Abu Dhabi isn’t in lockdown. There’s an evening curfew, lots of places are closed. The malls, the government offices,” he said.
Most embassies are working on an on-demand basis in Abu Dhabi. The Embassy staff have several videoconference meetings a day, said Igreja, who’s going to work almost every day to weigh what needs to be done.
“The consular sector is working on emergencies. We have been issuing a few passports and birth certificates, which are essential, because parents need the papers to get medical insurance to their children. We are also doing powers of attorney for people who cannot travel and need to get proxies in Brazil,” he said.
Igreja said an Embassy employee is going to Dubai once a week to visit Brazilians there. “There are some situations that require special attention from the Embassy,” he said, adding that the need hasn’t arisen to travel to the other emirates. “We are aware of Brazilians in Al Ain, in Ras Al Khaimah, in Sharjah, in Fujairah… We are mapping out and keeping in touch with the Brazilians here. The Brazilian organized community in Dubai is also helping us tend to people’s needs,” he said.
Trade is unaffected
“Right now, the UAE are concerned about keeping the supplies coming in, and they see Brazil as a safe, important partner to ensuring their food security,” said Igreja.
Brazil exported USD 427.9 million worth of goods to the UAE in Q1, with meats accounting for almost 40% of that. Total export revenues were down 16.5% year-over-year, according to Arab Chamber Marketing Intelligence Department numbers. “But there might be a bias there. In Q1 2019, the UAE imported aircraft parts, and this led to a higher number than in preceding years,” explained Igreja.
March exports came out to USD 173 million, up 12.1% year-over-year, with meats also driving sales. Igreja argues that Brazil-UAE trade could clearly be bigger.
“Brazil has already come forward and we got clear instructions from Itamaraty (the Foreign Ministry) in Brasília, we got a document from the Ministry of Agriculture reassuring everyone that there is no risk of an interruption in the food production and export chain. The UAE import a lot of food from Brazil, so this was intended to put them at ease, to assure them that there would be no hiatus of any kind. Brazilian companies are honoring their contracts and they can ensure the availability of supplies. I haven’t seen any shortages or issues in that regard,” he said.
As an Abu Dhabi resident, he said he hasn’t seen even so much as a hint at an undersupply. “She supermarkets are still fully stocked. There are Brazilian items available, so the situation is under control,” he said.
Regarding new investments in Brazil, Igreja said it is still too soon to weigh the economic consequences of the pandemic. “We are looking at the numbers, and there seem to have been no major consequences in the first quarter. That could change in the second quarter,” he said.
Expo Dubai
Expo Dubai, the world exhibition slated to kick off next October, has been rescheduled for October 2021 due to the pandemic. “Brazil was one of the first countries to state its interest and its commitment to the Expo. The president of Brazil’s Apex [Sergio Segovia] made a testimonial that got published by the organizers of the Expo, and he guaranteed that Brazil is still involved; we are building our pavilion. Of course, construction has slowed down, but but this is very important to our bilateral relations, our commitment to the UAE,” said Igreja. Apex-Brasil is the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
