{"id":416006,"date":"2026-08-25T19:23:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T22:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=416006"},"modified":"2026-08-26T17:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T20:42:08","slug":"trade-new-landscape-calls-for-alternative-routes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/trade-new-landscape-calls-for-alternative-routes\/","title":{"rendered":"Trade: New landscape calls for alternative routes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 Things can no longer be done the same way\u2014new paths must be found, especially in times of crisis. That was the central message of the third panel of the Brazil & Arab Countries Economic Forum<\/a>, titled \u201cTrade, Logistics, Corridors & Financial Resilience.\u201d Khaled Hanafy, secretary-general of the Union of Arab Chambers, opened the panel by stressing the need for a new approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany exporters were forced to stop operating when the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted because they did not know how to adapt,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event was held by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> (ABCC<\/a>) on Tuesday (25) in S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Fabio
Fabio Siccherino: Competitiveness is a challenge for companies that produce and export<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cThere are four key words for the current moment: movement, storage, financing and knowledge. We can no longer move goods, store products or seek financing the way we used to. Knowledge is essential to stay alert to future crises,\u201d Hanafy said. \u201cI call on both sides, Brazilian and Arab, to think about these new paths.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion was again moderated by Justin Alexander, director of Khalij Economics. Fabio Siccherino, CEO of DP World Brazil, spoke about the company\u2019s operations in 85 countries, with 82 port terminals, and its BRL 5 billion [USD 1 billion] expansion at the Port of Santos, which will increase container capacity and infrastructure for pulp, grains and fertilizers. He also pointed to logistical bottlenecks within Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGetting a product to the port efficiently and competitively remains one of the country\u2019s biggest challenges,\u201d he said, citing low infrastructure investment. \u201cToday, you need a Plan B and must keep an eye on international developments to know when to activate it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Hisham
Hisham A. Al Ansari: Intermodal system helped MSC deliver cargo by sea and land<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Hisham A. Al Ansari, executive director and executive partner of shipping giant MSC in Saudi Arabia, explained his company\u2019s Plan B for dealing with disruptions to traditional trade corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt first, we used to track everything and used trucks to move the cargo. That\u2019s how we created a sea-land-sea model. In Riyadh, which has a rail system, we added that mode as well. The intermodal system worked well, but it is still not as efficient as it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experience showed him that even when the Strait of Hormuz is operating normally, other options exist, and that MSC can offer a more efficient and faster ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Mohammed Tabouk, CEO of the Salalah Free Zone in Oman, agreed that the world is undergoing a revolution and that countries need to share their experiences in search of solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI traveled 16 hours from Oman to come here and share the potential we have to build new opportunities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He then made his best pitch for the country in in the current context: Oman\u2019s diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOman is friends with everyone! We have no enemies. And it is an art to be friends with everyone. We are only 5 million people, but we are the perfect hub for Brazil\u2019s private sector\u2014we can be the gateway for Brazilian products,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sara El Gazzar, dean of the Faculty of International Transport and Logistics at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Egypt, noted that there is a direct link between politics, logistics and trade. Routes once considered normal and lasting are now being disrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResilience is needed to find new routes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this regard, she argued that relations between Brazil and the Arab world should be less linear and more strategic, which would also help in the search for new trade routes.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Sara
Sara El Gazzar: Resilience is needed to find new routes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cBrazil needs to better understand the complexity of the Arab world, which encompasses many different cultures, from Morocco and Egypt to the Gulf countries. In bilateral trade, both sides need to better understand each other\u2019s culture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Gazzar also highlighted the potential of Arab countries as hubs for halal products destined for other non-Arab Muslim countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Maher Nour, founder and CEO of trading company Orbitra, spoke about the importance of having teams that can collaborate and stay alert to geopolitical developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEach problem will be different, so you need real-time data, real-time collaboration and real-time solutions. And, of course, a lot of adaptability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forum, organized by the ABCC, is sponsored by Fambras Halal, International Halal Academy, Vale, DP World, Cdial Halal, First Abu Dhabi Bank, MBRF Global Foods Company, Qatar Airways and MZAH Group Investment. Institutional supporters include the Arab League, the Union of Arab Chambers and the Federation of Industries of the State of Bahia. Cacilda Arag\u00e3o Tours is a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read also<\/em>:
Brazil, Arab nations face geopolitical challenges<\/a>
Uncertain landscape calls for Brazil-Arab ties<\/a>
Trust keeps Brazil-Arab food corridor open<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translated by Guilherme Miranda<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marcelo Brammer\/Arab-Brazilian Chamber<\/div>
Marcelo Brammer\/Arab-Brazilian Chamber<\/div>
Marcelo Brammer\/Arab-Brazilian Chamber<\/div>
Marcelo Brammer\/Arab-Brazilian Chamber<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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