São Paulo – Representatives from Caracal International, among them its CEO Hamad Al Ameri, arrived on Monday (7) in Goiás, Brazil. Welcomed by the state’s Department of Economic Development secretary, Luiz Maronezi, the executives from the high-tech weapons manufacturer for public forces based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, are planning investments in a plant in the state.
Negotiations progressed last month when a delegation from Goiás visited Abu Dhabi, where a memorandum of understanding was signed with the local company. According to the Goiás state government, investments should reach near BRL 500 million (USD 157.83 million) and the plant could create a total of 1,200 direct and indirect jobs.
“We are not talking about purchase of weapons, but about transfer of technology with German know-how,” said deputy Emmanuel Henrique, superintendent of Integrated Actions and Operations of the Department of Public Security and Prison Management to the website of the state’s Department of Economic Development.
The memorandum of understanding signed in Abu Dhabi provides for the creation of a company named Caracal do Brasil, a partnership between Caracal International and business owners from Goiás. The first step is to get the government’s approval for armaments production, since the manufacturing of weapons for public forces is currently a monopoly by Rio Grande do Sul-based company Forjas Taurus. In the meantime, a viability plan for the plant is being drafted. It should be built at the Anápolis Agribusiness District, which already has a good logistics structure, even for exports. To reach other Latin America markets is in the plans of the future plant.
According to business owners Paulo Humberto Barbosa and August Delgado, who have been negotiating with Caracal for two years already, the idea is to start assembling parts through CKD kits a year after the formal proceedings are completed. But the business owners from Goiás are aiming even higher: they expect the coming of other assembly lines from the group, such as armored vehicles for state forces, drones and ammo.
“The most important thing to Goiás is the commitment by the company with the transfer of technology. We are bringing a new market niche which without a doubt will attract other investors”, secretary Maronezi told the Goiás state government’s website.
The Arab delegation will meet with the state security secretary in the next few days. A lunch with governor Marconi Perillo (from political party PSDB) is scheduled, with the delegation returning to the United Arab Emirates on Friday (11).
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
