S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce<\/b> promoted on Thursday night (29), at Mount Lebanon Athletic Club, in S\u00e3o Paulo, a party celebrating its 60th anniversary. The organisation, according to president Salim Taufic Schahin, reaches this anniversary prepared for the current challenges and eyeing the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are currently more prepared and active in the prospection of new business,\u201d said Schahin in his address. \u201cMore so at this moment of political, economic and social change,\u201d he added, referring to the international economic crisis and to the changes caused by the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa.<\/p>\n
At the ceremony, former presidents Jamil Saliba, Sylvio Wagih Abdallah, Walid Yazigi, Orlando Sarhan, Antonio Sarkis Jr. and the former president of the organisation\u2019s board of administrators, Willian Adib Dib, were honoured.<\/p>\n
In the name of the Arab diplomats who operate in Brazil, the ambassador of Palestine to Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben, said that men and women working to bring the country close to the Arab nations \u201care disciples of the inventors of trade\u201d, in reference to the generations of Arab immigrants and their descendants who established and manage the organisation. \u201cThe Council [of Arab Ambassadors] renews its availability to collaborate with the institution and improve these conditions every day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As the representative of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries, the Lebanese Edmond Jereissati added that, over the last 60 years, the Arab Brazilian Chamber has been \u201ca great bridge for closer ties\u201d between Brazil and the Middle East and North Africa.<\/p>\n
On speaking in the name of those honoured yesterday evening, Sylvio Abdallah said: \u201cIt is we who should be thankful for the opportunity of, each at his own time, having worked for the Arab Brazilian Chamber.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schahin added that the Chamber \u201csymbolises the brotherhood between Arabs and Brazilians \u201c and pointed out the work of his predecessors for the organisation to reach the important it currently has. He added that the organisation had to reinvent itself several times throughout its history so as to face the challenges in Brazil and abroad.<\/p>\n
As examples, the executive mentioned the first oil shock, in 1973, which rapidly increased the trade deficit between Brazil and the Arab countries, obliging the Chamber to make additional effort to explore the import potential of the nations of the Middle East and North Africa and, thus, foster greater Brazilian exports of industrial goods and engineering services.<\/p>\n
The situation is currently different and the trade balance presents a surplus for Brazil, which places new challenges. \u201cThe tendency is for [Brazilian] exports to become greater and greater and for imports of hydrocarbons to drop, resulting in a surplus,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want trade to continue growing, so we will work to expand exports of [other] Arab products to Brazil,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
According to him, the Arab Brazilian Chamber has promoted a series of structural changes in recent years to face the challenges and make use of opportunities. To Schahin, there are two great axes to be explored in relations between Brazil and the Arabs: food and energy safety, in which both sides are complementary. The president added that \u201cfuture boards [at the organisation] will know how to explore the existing potential.\u201d The executive is concluding his second term at the helm.<\/p>\n
Palestine<\/b><\/p>\n
Schahin also pointed out the \u201chappy coincidence\u201d of the celebration also taking place on the day in which the United Nations (UN) General Assembly recognized Palestine as a UN observer state. \u201cThis expressive vote generates great joy,\u201d he said, to applause. Elevation of the status was approved by 138 votes for, nine against and 41 abstentions.<\/p>\n
Alzeben stated that the \u201cPalestinian flag is already at the heart of the UN\u201d. \u201cI dedicate this victory to our brothers and friends world over. All of you here, this evening, have our gratitude. Each one of you has done something for Palestine,\u201d said the dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil, to applause.<\/p>\n
The guests crowded the Mount Lebanon party hall for the dinner. A video was presented showing the history of the Arab Brazilian Chamber and the evening was ended with a show by the band of musician Sami Bordokan, accompanied by dancers.<\/p>\n
*Translated by Mark Ament<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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