Interview: Brazilian - Arab Chamber of Commerce
Syria-Brazil, Economics, 9/11/1998

Founded in 1952, the Brazilian - Arab chamber of commerce has historically promoted investment and trade between Brazil and the Arab states. Its activities are designed to create awareness of the opportunities for both sides to cooperate for mutual benefit.

The chamber's assistant commercial manager, Ely Dawly, in a statement to ArabicNews.com, added that with more than 45 years of existence and through productive and efficient work, "our" chamber has a clear vision about its role in developing the international trade.

He added that the organization's services include legalization of export documents, issuing certificates of origin, organizing trade missions, participating in Arab international fairs and seminars, social research and databases with more than 5,000 Brazilian exports and imports.

Dawly, whose chamber is taking part in the current 45th Damascus International Fair, added that the globalization of the world's economies and the introduction of new technologies make the chamber realize it is necessary to work as business partner to contribute with the integration of Brazil within the Arab economies.

Thus, Syrian companies are invited to contact the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in order to count on the chamber's cooperation in their business. He added that with a GNP of US $800 billion, Dawly noted, the Brazilian economy achieved stability through the implementation of the economic plan called "Real" in 1994 (and helped tame a very high inflation rate).

The market has been attractive for foreign investments, as well as for trade and joint ventures. Instead of this notable progress, the Syrian imports from Brazil still represent a small volume, which was US $37 million in 1997.

Dawly said that since Syria is a traditional importer of raw materials and machines, Brazil could increase its exports of such products to the Syrian market, offering competitive prices and high quality. The Brazilian - Arab Chamber of Commerce considers very important its participation in the 45th Damascus International Fair as an opportunity to improve knowledge about the Syrian market and to contact the businessmen.

At the same time, the Brazilian-Arab Chamber of Commerce invites the Syrian businessmen to participate and visit the more than 100 Brazilian International Fairs which are each year.

For sure, an approach between the two countries is necessary to strengthen commercial relationship, Dawly proceeded. According to the latest statistics, more than 15 million Arabs and their descendants are living in Brazil, he said.

The majority is made up of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants. Thus the Brazilian and Arab people are good friends and could be also good commercial partners increasing their trade, he said.

Previous Stories:
  Syria's economic ties with Saudi Arabia, Tunisia highlighted   (9/10/1998)
  Iraqis have opportunity to buy Syrian products as trade center opens   (9/4/1998)
  Discussing commercial cooperation between Bahrain and Syria   (9/2/1998)

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