{"id":291857,"date":"2021-04-23T11:12:04","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T14:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=291857"},"modified":"2021-04-27T17:52:50","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T20:52:50","slug":"authorities-attend-installation-of-new-abcc-board","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/authorities-attend-installation-of-new-abcc-board\/","title":{"rendered":"Authorities attend installation of new ABCC board"},"content":{"rendered":"

S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 Representatives of Arab organizations participated in the inauguration of the new president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber<\/strong> of Commerce<\/strong> (ABCC), which took place in a hybrid format on Thursday, 22. The ceremony marked the departure of Rubens Hannun, who had led the organization for four years, and welcomed diplomat Osmar Chohfi, who took office as president.<\/p>\n

The event was remotely attended by Khaled Hanafy, secretary-general of the Union of Arab Chambers, and Qais Shqair, ambassador of the League of Arab States in Brazil. As for Ibrahim Alzeben (pictured above<\/em>), ambassador of Palestine and dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil, he attended the event in person at the ABCC on Avenida Paulista in S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/p>\n

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Qais Shqair spoke during the inauguration<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alzeben pointed out the strategic role Brazil plays in the food security of the Arab countries, which is a challenge the new board intends do tackle. \u201cIt\u2019ll be up to us to set up a better business environment to increase trade and strengthen Arab direct investment in Brazil, as well as tackle logistics in Brazilian ports and Arab terminals. In this regard, prospects are very promising,\u201d said the Palestinian ambassador.<\/p>\n

Shqair underscored the legacy of the ABCC work. \u201cOver the decades of hard work to strengthen the historic ties that bind our two worlds together, the organization has become a great partner in Arab diplomatic missions across Brazil, including embassies, consulates, as well as culture and trade representation offices,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For the ambassador of the Arab States in Brazil, the new board will have several missions to accomplish. \u201cThe Arab House was one of the results of the survey on the Arab community in Brazil. It has opened up new vistas towards strengthening community presence and delving deeper into the roots of the Arab world and its multiple cultures,\u201d Shqair said, before going on to mention the strong viewership in the latest Economic Forum Brazil & Arab Countries.<\/p>\n

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Hanafy participated in the event remotely<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking from Egypt, Hanafy praised the economic, strategic cooperation of the past few years, which enable access to new markets and boosted business between Arabs and Brazilians. \u201cI wish success upon the new president, our most respected ambassador, whom I have cooperated and worked with. The Union of Arab Chambers will continue to cooperate with the ABCC to open up new vistas in new countries,\u201d said Hanafy underscored, assuring the Brazilian organization of his continuous support.<\/p>\n

Chohfi<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ABCC\u2019s new president, Osmar Chohfi, worked as a diplomat for 45 years, and has been a member of the ABCC board of directors as vice president of Foreign Relations since 2015.<\/p>\n

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Chohfi pointed out the achievements of the last administration and underscored that the new board will keep innovating<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In his inaugural speech, Chohfi stressed the ABCC\u2019s reputation among the Arab-Brazilian community. \u201cThe Chamber is a permanent construction. The boards that preceded us built a solid building. It is my duty now, alongside my fellow directors, to take care of it, holding the course that the previous administrations have wisely set. But we will surely find new paths to take us to novel, relevant initiatives,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n

The president-elect intends to follow through with the ABCC’s ongoing steps towards economy 4.0, regionalization, through a new office in Bras\u00edlia, and internationalization, with international offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Cairo, Egypt.<\/p>\n