Islamic Inspection Service - SIILHalal

Fernando Igreja: ‘Our relations are at higher level’

It has been over 15 years since a Brazilian president visited the UAE for the first – and last – time. According to Igreja, that visit helped build rapport and ushered in investment by UAE funds in Brazil, currently amounting to some USD 5 billion.

The ambassador added, however, that relations slowed down somewhat since then, before picking up again in the last three to four years, as attested by the recently entered into agreements. The UAE have been making various diplomatic overtures to Brazil.

Igreja said that for some time now, in a drive for international projection, the Arab country has been displaying particular interest in Latin America. “They want to become known and to sustain good relations with different regions. They weren’t that present in Latin America before, and they picked Brazil a while ago to build special relations with, because their trade and political contacts are stronger with Brazil,” he explained.

He believes Brazil is reciprocating. “And this last year, with president Bolsonaro, Brazil sought out the UAE with added impetus,” the diplomat said. He noted that in 2019, the UAE was visited by ministers, Marcos Pontes of Science and Technology, Ricardo Salles of Environment, and congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro – the president’s son and then chair of the Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Relations Commission.

“Now relations are at a higher level, with cooperation expanding into different fields, like science and technology, environment, economy and trade, and politics,” he said.

According to Igreja, during Bolsonaro’s visit, agreements may be reached in science and tech, environment, and defense. “These agreements will be proof that relations are at a higher level.”

With several agreements in place, the diplomat believes that the UAE may “start investing more heavily” in Brazil. “They are interested in investing in Brazil’s production chain and very interested in agribusiness. They want to make sure products will reach their market, so they are predisposed to investing in infrastructure,” he said.

Igreja added that Chief of Staff Onyx Lorenzoni will join the presidential tour, along with officials from the Special Secretariat of the Investment Partnerships Program (IPP). They will advertise 18 projects worth a combined BRL 1.3 trillion (USD 322 billion), mostly regarding privatizations and concessions.

Business

In business, a Brazil-UAE corporate seminar will be held on Sunday (27). The ambassador said that around 100 Brazilian entrepreneurs and the same number of UAE businesspeople. The event is organized by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) and feature the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.

In parallel, a delegation headed by the Ministry of Defense secretary-general admiral Almir Garnier with 29 companies will participate in a seminar focused in defense. “In fact, there is a large handling in the sector, and I hope we can announce gains later,” said the ambassador.

Brazil-UAE trade flow reached USD 2.12 billion year-to-date through September, up 28% from a year ago. Igreja believes it can reach USD 2.7 billion by the end of the year. “Agreements raised the [reciprocal] confidence and made more contacts possible, so trade tends to grow even more,” he pointed out.

He also said that the UAE want to attract Brazilian companies and are a gateway for Asia. The diplomat pointed out the example of BRF, owner of brands like Sadia and Perdigão, which has a plant in Abu Dhabi.

Soon after arriving, Bolsonaro will bring flowers to the Martyr’s Monument. On Sunday, besides participating in the business seminar, he’ll meet with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and others UAE authorities. The president will also watch a jujutsu presentation – a sport that is very popular in the emirate and full of Brazilian coaches – and visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Source: ANBA