São Paulo –Caxias do Sul University (UCS), in Rio Grande do Sul, wants to show business opportunities in the United Arab Emirates to businessmen in the region. The higher education institution is in the city of Bento Gonçalves, amidst furniture industry, metal and mechanic and winery hubs, and should promote, on May 29th, a seminar about the United Arab Emirates, at the University Campus in the Winery region.
According to information disclosed by a spokesperson for the event, Simone Taffarel Ferreira, the intention is to present the Emirates as a whole. She explains that local companies usually participate in fairs and missions in the region, but in Dubai. The idea at the event is to show that there are opportunities not just here, but in the seven emirates of the Arab country. The secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, is going to speak at the event.
The explanation by Alaby should focus on "Business Opportunities in the Emirates". Apart from being the secretary general at the Chamber, the speaker is also the president at the Association of Brazilian Companies for Integration of the Mercosur (Adebim) and member of the technical council at the Brazilian Foreign Trade Association (AEB).
Apart from him, another speaker is the coordinator of the Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade Council of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs), Cezar Luiz Muller, about "Strategic Actions for Foreign Trade". He is going to speak about foreign trade actions as a whole, but the focus will be mainly on the Emirates.
Despite being at the university, the seminar is turned to businessmen. It takes place once a year, always targeting a different country. In 2007, the focus was China. In 2008 the theme was India. According to Simone, participation in the event ends up resulting in initiatives by companies in the region towards markets that are the theme of the seminar. This took place, according to her, with regard to China, and then to India. The organisers of the event hope that this should also take place with the Emirates.
Simone explained that the furniture, metal and mechanic and winery sectors in the region are nationally and internationally renowned and are always seeking new markets. The promotion of the UCS is aimed at working together with these companies. The region in which the university is located includes large companies like Marcopolo, Randon and Tramontina, which already have operations abroad and in the Emirates. But UCS also wants to help other companies get there.
Between 80 and 100 participants are expected at the seminar, called the 3rd UCS Forum of Discussion about the Foreign Market – Trade Opportunities in the Emirates. The promotion is by the UCS Continued Education sector. Enrolment for participation may be through the university site (www.ucs.br) or by telephone at (+55 54) 3452.1188. Admittance is R$ 50 for UCS university students and R$ 100 for people from other institutions.
*Translated by Mark Ament
