{"id":272241,"date":"2020-04-27T16:47:02","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T19:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=272241"},"modified":"2020-04-27T19:02:01","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T22:02:01","slug":"uae-are-focused-on-caring-for-its-population","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/uae-are-focused-on-caring-for-its-population\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE are focused on caring for its population"},"content":{"rendered":"

S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 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\u2019s ambassador to Abu Dhabi Fernando Igreja (pictured above<\/em>) told ANBA. Trade with Brazil is unaffected, and shipping \u2013 particularly of food \u2013 ensure that supplies are available in the UAE.<\/p>\n

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. \u201cThese cases are being kept track of by the Embassy. We have learned that some have recovered, and we haven\u2019t had any deaths, fortunately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The UAE\u2019s Covid-19 mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world, the ambassador said. \u201cIt would seem that we haven\u2019t 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Although the UAE has a private healthcare system, the state is stepping in to provide treatment to the uninsured. \u201cBut almost everyone has health insurance, even the tourists,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Igreja also said the country is providing assistance to non-nationals, including Brazilians, in a variety of situations. \u201cThere is great concern, since 85% of the population is non-native,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

At the Embassy of Brazil, consular services are where the brunt of work is right now, in assisting Brazilians currently in the UAE. \u201cWe 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,\u201d said Igreja. Most were tourists; some were workers whose contracts got terminated. They paid for their own tickets.<\/p>\n

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with the Embassy to support Brazilians. \u201cThey are being really helpful. This flight on the 21st<\/sup> happened after lots of conversation with Emirates. We are working on another flight now. I believe the company is really willing to cooperate,\u201d he said. Emirates is a state-owned airline.<\/p>\n

Last weekend saw a minor loosening of self-isolation in Dubai, according to the ambassador. \u201cAbu Dhabi isn\u2019t in lockdown. There\u2019s an evening curfew, lots of places are closed. The malls, the government offices,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Most embassies are working on an on-demand basis in Abu Dhabi. The Embassy staff have several videoconference meetings a day, said Igreja, who\u2019s going to work almost every day to weigh what needs to be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Igreja said an Embassy employee is going to Dubai once a week to visit Brazilians there. \u201cThere are some situations that require special attention from the Embassy,\u201d he said, adding that the need hasn\u2019t arisen to travel to the other emirates. \u201cWe are aware of Brazilians in Al Ain, in Ras Al Khaimah, in Sharjah, in Fujairah\u2026 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\u2019s needs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Trade is unaffected<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cRight 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,\u201d said Igreja.<\/p>\n

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. \u201cBut 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,\u201d explained Igreja.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrazil has already come forward and we got clear instructions from Itamaraty (the Foreign Ministry) in Bras\u00edlia, 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\u2019t seen any shortages or issues in that regard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

As an Abu Dhabi resident, he said he hasn\u2019t seen even so much as a hint at an undersupply. \u201cShe supermarkets are still fully stocked. There are Brazilian items available, so the situation is under control,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Regarding new investments in Brazil, Igreja said it is still too soon to weigh the economic consequences of the pandemic. \u201cWe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Expo Dubai<\/strong><\/p>\n

Expo Dubai, the world exhibition slated to kick off next October, has been rescheduled for October 2021 due to the pandemic. \u201cBrazil was one of the first countries to state its interest and its commitment to the Expo. The president of Brazil\u2019s 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,\u201d said Igreja. Apex-Brasil is the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.<\/p>\n

Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Press Release<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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