Brazilians seek post-COVID partnerships in the UAE

(MENAFN- Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA))

São Paulo – Representatives of the Brazilian private sector are in the United Arab Emirates seeking strategic business partnerships with the Arab country in a post-Covid world. This was one of the messages given by leaders of the Brazilian business sector at the seminar“How to do business with the UAE,” held this Sunday (14) at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC hotel, in Dubai, by the Brazilian National Confederation of industry (CNI).

Andrade, from CNI: Bold partnerships

The seminar was part of the schedule of a Brazilian mission to the UAE with over 300 business people and executives, organized by the CNI with support from industry federations, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex- Brazil), Dubai Chamber, and Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). The delegation's schedule spans from November 13 to 19, partly coinciding with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro's visit to the UAE.

CNI president Robson Braga de Andrade opened the seminar stating the UAE could be strategic partners for Brazilian business. According to him, the resumption of commercial and investment relations after the COVID-19 pandemic will require companies to be bolder in developing new business partnerships and creative in incorporating solutions in an increasingly digital world, with commercial initiatives more focused on sustainability.

Chohfi: It is essential to understand the local culture

The former president of Brazil, Michel Temer (opening picture), participated in a keynote speech. He said CNI's business mission is a message of optimism to the world. The former president defended Brazil needs to be guided by optimism and stated he believes in the country's upturn capacity coming out of the pandemic.“Brazil has a remarkable production capacity. We need to strengthen ties between these two worlds. Trade relations bring institutional ties,” he said about Brazil and the UAE.

The president of the ABCC, Osmar Chohfi, spoke at the seminar and told about the incentives the UAE offer for setting up companies in their free zones. He stated to strengthen trade relations with the region; it is crucial to understand Arab culture.“This is fundamental. They consume the best in the world and are aware of the product's sustainability,” he said. Having halal certification, which attests a product is suitable for Muslim consumption, is valued and differential, according to a tip given by Osmar Chohfi.

Leaders attended the seminar

The CEO of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE), Carlos Melles, also spoke at the business event in Dubai and recommended micro and small entrepreneurs to stay close to the UAE.“There is a lot of opportunity for small businesses here, as we are in several production chains,” said Melles.

The director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber, Omar Khan, stated Latin America is a very attractive market and deserves global attention.“We are already encouraging Arab companies to do business with Brazilians,” he said. The president of Apex-Brasil, Augusto Pestana, urged companies to internationalize.“A country like Brazil needs to become more global and be here in Dubai due to its strategic position. The relationship here is a win-win,” he said. According to him, Apex-Brasil is ready to provide this support.

Investment

Solimeo told about investments

The seminar also had several other speakers, including authorities and representatives of the private sector. The head of the ABCC's international office in Dubai, Rafael Solimeo, spoke about business opportunities between Brazil and the UAE. Until September, Brazil exported USD 1.6 billion in goods to the Arab country this year and imported USD 635 million. The most sold products were poultry protein, gold, and sugar, and the most imported were lightships/floating cranes, oil, and sulfur.

There is also a flow of investments between the countries, according to Solimeo. In 2020, the UAE received a total of USD 99.2 million in foreign direct investment from Brazil. Brazil, in turn, obtained from the Arab country in 2019 USD 1.2 billion in direct investment. Both Brazil has companies from the UAE established in the country, and Brazilian companies have units in the UAE, including O Boticário, WEG, JBS, BRF, Minerva, and Embraer.

Read more about the mission:
Brazil to have over 320 entrepreneurs on mission to the UAE

*With information from the CNI's press office

Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro

The post Brazilians seek post-COVID partnerships in the UAE appeared first on Agência de Notícias Brasil-Árabe .

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