(MENAFN- Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA)) Bruna Garcia Fonseca
São Paulo – The secretary-general of the Union of Arab Chambers, Khaled Hanafy, (pictured above), said there's room for broadening and increasing Brazilian-Arab exports, and reiterated the need for a direct shipping lane connecting those parts of the world. He spoke during the first-ever online edition of the Economic Forum Brazil & Arab Countries , which opened this Monday (19).
Hanafy said his organization 'will not stop working to build relations between Arabs and Brazilians.' He said exports from Brazil to Arab countries have historically revolved around food, but that considering the potential that's in place, there's plenty of room for growing and diversifying trade.
The Forum featured UAE minister Al Sayegh
He said a direct shipping lane between Brazil and the Arab countries is paramount to an expansion of business, and that such a lane would link up various ports, including one in Tangiers, Morocco and one in a yet-to-be-defined location in the Gulf.
'The direct shipping lane is a key logistics project for the Arab League, the Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. We are about to decide on the ports in this upcoming lane, which will include stops in Morocco and the Gulf. We must work to accesso those markets, and we absolutely cannot simply settle for exports and imports as they are right now. We want to broaden our horizons, and a strategic partnership can boost economic relations immensely, adding value across multiple sectors. By working together on this, we can support small-scale suppliers with a direct transportation system that will be beneficial to all,' Hanafy said.
The forum's opening also featured Bahrain's foreign minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, UAE minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Morocco's minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, the Arab League's secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, and Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) president Rubens Hannun.
Moroccan minister discussed partnerships
Al Zayani said that although the coronavirus has altered the order of things, it has also shown that the world is but a small tribe. He said Brazil and Arab countries can step up their interaction, despite the difficulties, and that Bahrain is willing to cooperate. The Bahraini minister also discussed peace and safety in the Middle East, and said Bahrain is working for an actual solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 'We want peace and prosperity for all peoples across our region.'
Al Sayegh said there's no question that the Arab world has strong bonds with Brazil. 'The UAE keep working to improve our relations with Brazil, which are based on utter respect,' he said. He also said Brazil was the UAE's biggest partner in South America in 2019, and that the potential is in place to greatly expand business. He went on to say that there are many Brazilians living in the UAE, and that president Jair Bolsonaro's trip to the country in 2019 showed that 'the two countries sustain robust, comprehensive relations underpinned by mutual respect and trust.'
Al Zayani of Bahrain: "We want prosperity"
He also said the UAE are a gateway to the Gulf, with plans in place to become even more so. 'We are succeeding in staying engaged and in talks at these challenging times. It is clear that Brazil and the Arab world have a solid foundation, and that we can help one another.'
Bourita discussed international partnerships and the enhancement of Morocco's excellent relations with Brazil's government. According to him, talks for a Mercosur-Morocco free trade agreement are at an advanced stage. Talks are also ongoing toward bilateral investment in renewable energy and infrastructure, as well as to step up sales of fertilizer and fish from Morocco to Brazil.
The forum is hosted by the ABCC, in partnership with the Union of Arab Chambers and the Arab League. Journalist and presenter Renata Maron is the forum's host.
Check out the full coverage on ANBA .
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
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