His Excellency Raul Campos e Castro, Brazilian Ambassador to the UAE, today (Sunday, May 9, 2010) inaugurated the first edition of Brasil Trade Middle East, the multi-industry trade expo organized by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil), at the Intercontinental Hotel in DubaiFestivalCity. The event runs until May 11, 2010.
Over 20 exporters representing 200 companies will showcase Brazilian products and services that have become popular within the dynamic Arab markets during the three-day trade event. Brazil, the largest country in South America and the world’s ninth largest economy according to the International Monetary Fund, has made a strong mark in Arab and international trade. From 2003 to 2009, the trade flow between Brazil and the group of countries comprising Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon jumped from USD 2.54 billion to USD 6.89 billion. Moreover, in 2009, Brazil exported USD 5.14 billion worth of goods to the group and imported goods worth USD 1.75 billion. Agricultural and allied sectors, construction materials, automotive parts, consumer durables and furniture made up just some of Brazil’s diversified offerings to the Arab World.
“Over the years the Middle East has become one of Brazil’s key markets, and we have made considerable efforts to ensure that our products and services match the unique needs of the region. Brasil Trade Middle East provides an opportunity for us to not only further strengthen our commercial ties with this part of the world but fully express our appreciation for the support of our Arab partners as well. We assure our friends in the Middle East that the region will remain a priority component of Brazil’s trade agenda and overall growth plans,” said Mauricio Borges, Business Director of Apex-Brazil.
Brazil is a major source of food products for the Gulf, the world’s largest food-importing region. The South American state is the leading exporter of coffee, beef and poultry, fruit juice, sugar and sugar cane ethanol, and its food items have a particularly strong appeal for the Muslim community as they are certified by Cibal Halal, the Brazilian Islamic Centre for Halal Food Stuff Association. As a major property development hub, the Gulf also represents a solid housing and construction market for Brazil, which traded around USD 132.13 million in related products with the region in 2009. Automotive parts and furniture were among Brazil’s other top exports to the Gulf last year.
Special presentations and one-on-one meetings between Brazilian exporters and Arab investors and buyers will be held throughout Brasil Trade Middle East 2010. A special hosted buyer’s program is scheduled for major importers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
