(MENAFN- Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA)) São Paulo – The book Aprenda a negociar com o mundo árabe: Onde o impossível é possível [Learn to negotiate with the Arab world: where the impossible is possible], written by Rafael Solimeo, head of the Dubai office of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC ), was one of the five finalists in the Business category of the Jabuti Award, Brazil's most prestigious literary prize and one of the most important in the Portuguese language. The award ceremony, held on Monday (27), selected A essência de empreender: Como foi construído o Grupo Boticário [The essence of entrepreneurship: how Grupo Boticário was built], written by Boticário founder Miguel Krigsner, as the winner in the same category.

Brazil's leading literary award, the Jabuti, recognizes the best books of the year across 23 categories, organized under the themes of Literature, Non-Fiction, Editorial Production, and Innovation. This year's edition, the 67^th, introduced two new categories: Book of the Year and Special Promotion of Reading, the latter dedicated to projects carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which was chosen by the UNESCO as the World Book Capital for 2025–2026.

In Aprenda a negociar com o mundo árabe: Onde o impossível é possível, Solimeo draws on his experience as head of the ABCC in the United Arab Emirates to guide individuals and companies seeking to do business with the Arab world.

The idea for the book arose from the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. It aims to break down preconceived notions about the Arab world, explain what is important when negotiating with Arabs, and highlight topics to avoid during negotiations, among other subjects.

In addition to Solimeo's book and the winning work, the Jabuti Award's Business category included the entries A força do ESG: Por que, a partir de agora, as empresas realmente serão sustentáveis? [The power of ESG: Why companies will truly be sustainable from now on?]” by Ricardo Ribeiro Alves; A trinca: jornada da liberdade [The trio: Journey to freedom] by Joel Jota, Caio Carneiro, and Flávio Augusto; and Calma sob pressão: o que aprendi comandando o Banco de Boston, o Banco Central e o Ministério da Fazenda [Calm under pressure: What I learned leading Banco do Boston, the Central Bank, and the Ministry of Finance] by Henrique Meirelles.

To ANBA, Solimeo said it is“hard to believe” that he made it to the Jabuti finalists, which in other categories featured books by Ruy Castro (winner of Book of the Year with O Ouvidor do Brasil: 99 Tom Jobim) and composer Chico Buarque. However, he noted that having his book nominated as one of the best of the year shows that discussing the Arab world has sparked interest and curiosity among the Brazilian public.“For a long time, this topic was treated from a distance and surrounded by stereotypes. Seeing it recognized in such an important award is a clear sign that we are breaking taboos. I feel immense pride in having drawn attention to this bridge between Brazil and the Arab world, an incredible place for business, and indeed, where the impossible becomes possible,” he stated.

Read more:
Book teaches how to negotiate with Arab world

Translated by Guilherme Miranda

Isaura Daniel/ANBA

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