São Paulo – Over 30 companies have expressed interest in the auction for concession of Highway SP-099 (Tamoios Highway), in the state of São Paulo. The tender is scheduled to take place in July at the latest. According to the São Paulo State Transport Agency (Artesp), from Friday (Feb 28), when the call for tender for the public-private partnership (PPP) for the Nova Tamoios (New Tamoios) was made public, until Tuesday (1st), over 30 companies have collected the documentation to bid for the tender. 

The winner will carry out duplication works in the highway’s mountain stretch, renovation in the flat stretch, and manage the highway for the next 30 years. Nearly R$ 4 billion (US$ 1.76 billion) should be invested during the period. In the first five years, R$ 2.9 billion (US$ 1.2 billion) will be invested. Brazilian and foreign companies, complementary social security companies and investment funds are eligible.

According to the Artesp special projects advisor Isadora Cohen, the strong demand for information on the auction was a “pleasant surprise,” however the Artesp was already anticipating much interest in the highway’s concession. “We had realized during our road shows that there was widespread interest from the market,” Cohen told ANBA this Wednesday (2nd).

Similar to other tenders floated in the state of São Paulo, foreign companies will be eligible for the “Nova Tamoios” auction. This was the case with the Anchieta-Imigrantes system auctions, which connects the city of São Paulo and the southern coast of the state; the Anhanguera-Bandeirantes system auctions, connecting the capital to the countryside, and the auctions of the Rodoanel ring road, around the Greater Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, among others.

“From our past experiences we have ascertained that the participation [of foreign enterprises] is not significant yet,” said Cohen. According to her, however, Tamoios has a strong potential for technology usage, and requires “robust” investment. “It may attract people from overseas,” he added.

The concession provides for duplication of the mountain portion comprehended between kilometres 60.48 and 82, and the operation, maintenance and conservation of the stretch between kilometres 11.5 an d 83.4, as well as roundabouts in Caraguatatuba and São Sebastião, northern coast cities to which the traffic from the capital and the Paraíba valley flows via the highway. Duplication of the mountain stretch will span approximately 21.5 kilometres, of which 12.7 will be tunnels. The road will include the longest tunnel in Brazil, at 3.675 kilometres. The flatland stretch between kilometres 11.5 and 60.48, has been duplicated and was delivered in January this year.

The concession scheme for this project is the sponsored concession. Under this scheme, the toll charged from users will not suffice to repay the investment made by the operator. Therefore, the state will have to make annual payments so the winning company does not incur losses, and so the toll is not too high. The government of São Paulo will transfer a maximum of R$ 156.8 million per year to the winning company. The bid that demands the lowest payment from the state government will win the auction.

There will be toll booth plazas at kilometres 15.7 and 56.6 of the flatland stretch, and another one in the Caraguatatuba roundabout. The toll will be R$ 0.077 per kilometre in single-lane stretches, and R$ 0.108 in double-lane portions. It will be charged starting on the contract’s second year. Interested parties are required to provide proof of former management and operation of highways with an average daily traffic of 8,000 vehicles per hour, among other requirements.

International companies willing to bid are not required to have a Brazilian partner, and may bid solo, as long as they have a legal representative in Brazil. If they decide on having a local partner or entering into a consortium, however, the venture’s leader must be the Brazilian partner.

As per the schedule, interested parties will have 45 days as of February 28 to peruse the call for tender. On May 14th, all bidders will be required to submit envelopes containing registration documents, bid bonds, licensing documents, construction work methods, commercial proposal, and business plan. They will also need to prove their capacity to make the investment and complete the works.

The bid envelopes will only be opened once the Artesp has reviewed the other envelopes, which should take place in June and July this year, after which the winner should be announced. The signing of the concession contract is scheduled for September, and works should start in the last two months of 2014.

For additional information go to: http://www.artesp.sp.gov.br/rodovias-ppp-nova-tamoios.html.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – Following years of unstable growth as a result of the global crisis, Emirates Airline’s cargo division is back at “a good moment” in 2013, the senior vice president for Cargo Revenue Optimization and Systems, Pradeep Kumar, told ANBA this Tuesday (2nd), during an interview on the opening day of logistics fair Intermodal South America, held in São Paulo. 

 During the fiscal year 2012/2013, the company grew by 8% and posted its highest revenue figure, at US$ 2.8 billion. The results for the 2013/2014 fiscal year are yet to be released, but Kumar said South American operations were up approximately 45%. The company flies to the Viracopos Airport, in the city of Campinas, and a new flight was added in late 2012, increasing flight frequency to four a week. According to the Cargo manager for South America, Dener Souza, this was one of the reasons for Dubai-based company’s increased revenues and cargo throughput in the region. 

“We had six years of stability, but in 2013 there was some improvement (in cargo operations). And what we had in 2013 was very good, even better than we expected. Some of the markets fared well, such as Asia, the Middle East’s transactions with Africa, and South America’s transactions with Europe,” said Kumar. The fiscal year for Emirates Airline and its cargo division, Emirates SkyCargo, begins on April 1st and ends on March 31st of the following year.

 Kumar said Emirates SkyCargo should keep growing in South America this year, driven first and foremost by ts Brazilian operations. “This year, due to the World Cup, we believe there will be stronger demand for infrastructure equipment,” he said.

Extended operations

Emirates SkyCargo flies to Brazil since November 2010. Flights leave on Tuesdays, Thursday s and Saturday s from the Viracopos Airport, with layovers in Dakar, Senegal, and Frankfurt, Germany, before arriving in Dubai. On Mondays, there is a flight between Viracopos and Quito, Ecuador, with a layover in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and then Dubai. In addition to Boeing 777F model cargo aircraft, the airline uses the cargo compartments of jets leaving daily from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, and Buenos Aires, in Argentina.

Another Arab

This year, for the first time, the Intermodal fair is featuring another Arab airline: Etihad Cargo. Etihad has been flying to Brazil since June last year. The airline’s cargo division operates a Boeing 747-8 in Viracopos, in partnership with Atlas Air. Viracopos is one of the layovers of this flight, which is known as “around the world” and touches down in Quito, Miami, Hong Kong, Chicago and Amsterdam antes before arriving at the airline’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

Service
Intermodal South America
Until April 3rd from 13h to 21h
Transamerica ExpoCenter, São Paulo – SP
For additional information go to: http://www.intermodal.com.br/pt/

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – The Brazilian foreign policy for the Arab world has found its best ambassador among the Arab community living in Brazil. The statement was made this Monday (31st) by the undersecretary general for Middle East and Africa Politics at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations, Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto, at the Jockey Club in São Paulo. The ambassador has been named the 2014 Arab Brazilian Chamber Personality, and was awarded the Order of Merit and named Commander by the organization. The event also celebrated the Day of the Arab Community in Brazil, whose official date is March 25th.

At the ceremony, speaking to the attendees, Cordeiro mentioned relations between the Arab world and Brazil, and how mutually important their economies are. “Brazilian businessmen have carried out construction work that has revolutionized the Arab countries,” the ambassador said, citing Brazilian participation in the construction of the Algiers metro and in the implementation of cotton farming in Sudan. On the other hand, he discussed Gulf-based funds which invest in Brazil. Regarding humanitarian aid, Cordeiro mentioned that Brazil has welcomed Syrian and Palestinian refugees.

He also touched on other actions designed to bring Brazilians and Arabs together, such as the introductory course on Islam offered by Brazil’s diplomatic academy Instituto Rio Branco, the work of Brazilian physicians who share their knowledge with Arab countries such as Algeria, and the sports centre Brazil helped establish in Palestine.

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Marcelo Sallum also spoke to the audience, and discussed Cordeiro’s own role in Brazilian-Arab relations. “He is a representative of Brazilian diplomacy who has made many contributions to establishing closer Brazil-Arab relations,” he said.

The dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil and Palestinian ambassador Ibrahim Alzeben said the undersecretary has raised the bar for relations between the two regions. “A man who works with something he believes in. A tireless champion of the dignity and freedom of human beings. A loyal friend to the Arab nation,” Alzeben said of Cordeiro. “He is a landmark of ethics, kindness and humility,” the dean said.

Cordeiro gave a display of his modesty by stating that he thought himself unworthy of the decoration, and wanted to give credit for it to the organization he serves, the Ministry of External Relations (aka Itamaraty). The undersecretary said the actions carried out by Brazil in the Arab country give international visibility to Brazil and strengthen Brazil’s foreign policy. “The policy focuses on fostering peace and unity,” said Cordeiro.

Paulo Cordeiro

Undersecretary general Cordeiro has been in his current position for three years. Born in Salvador, in the state of Bahia, and the holder of a degree in History, he told those in attendance at the Jockey Club that he owes the decoration to his wife, Vera Estrela. “One day she said to me: go make more money,” said Cordeiro with a smile on his face. According to the diplomat, Vera’s ultimatum prompted him to apply for the Foreign Ministry.

In his address, the Arab Brazilian Chamber president recounted the diplomat’s career. He mentioned Cordeiro’s work as Brazilian ambassador in Haiti, the importance of his work with the United Nations’ mission to stabilize the country, and the medals he has been awarded, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco and the Peacemaker’s Medal, both in 2006.

Arab Day

Speaking of the Arab Community Day, Sallum told the audience of how present the Arabs are in Brazilian daily life, with their influence on the vocabulary, on mathematics and music, among others. According to him, the Arab community in Brazil comprises 12 million descendants. “Here we live in complete harmony with wildly diverse nationalities and religions,” he said.

Sallum also discussed commercial ties between the Arab world and Brazil, and the work the Arab Brazilian Chamber has carried out for over 60 years. “We helped build and rebuild cities and integrate regions by building railways, roads, ports and airports,” he said, referring to some of the areas in which Brazilians made contributions with the Arab world. He also mentioned the Arab Brazilian Chamber’s involvement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for developing assistance campaigns.

The dean Alzeben also discussed the situation in Palestine. He noted how Arabs are well received in Brazil, but urged people not to forget their motherland, the childhood homes they left behind. And he said that on celebrating the Arab community, he felt disillusioned for two reasons. “Firstly, the fact that Palestine remains occupied and death surrounds my brothers every day,” he said. The second reason is the Syrian situation. “What is taking place in Syria right now is a crime against humanity,” he said.

Arabian horses

The guests were welcomed with a cocktail at São Paulo’s Jockey Club and watched a race of thoroughbred Arabian horses. The contest was part of the celebrations sponsored by the Arab Brazilian Chamber and featured seven horses.

The winner, which received a prize of R$ 20,196.00 (US$ 8,909.00) was the horse Atentaddo VE, ridden by José Ventura, and owned by José Luiz Aranha. The second horse was All Pol Rach, ridden by Antônio Queiroz, and owned by Lucas Quintana, and the third was Mahogany HVP, ridden by the jockey Gelson Ribeiro, and owned by Eduardo Garcia. Total betting was R$ 18,000 (US$ 7,940).

Before the race, three horses paraded wearing colourful Arab clothing. The jockeys riding them also wore typical Arab attire.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – The Brazilian foreign policy for the Arab world has found its best ambassador among the Arab community living in Brazil. The statement was made this Monday (31st) by the undersecretary general for Middle East and Africa Politics at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations, Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto, at the Jockey Club in São Paulo. The ambassador has been named the 2014 Arab Brazilian Chamber Personality, and was awarded the Order of Merit and named Commander by the organization. The event also celebrated the Day of the Arab Community in Brazil, whose official date is March 25th.

At the ceremony, speaking to the attendees, Cordeiro mentioned relations between the Arab world and Brazil, and how mutually important their economies are. “Brazilian businessmen have carried out construction work that has revolutionized the Arab countries,” the ambassador said, citing Brazilian participation in the construction of the Algiers metro and in the implementation of cotton farming in Sudan. On the other hand, he discussed Gulf-based funds which invest in Brazil. Regarding humanitarian aid, Cordeiro mentioned that Brazil has welcomed Syrian and Palestinian refugees.

He also touched on other actions designed to bring Brazilians and Arabs together, such as the introductory course on Islam offered by Brazil’s diplomatic academy Instituto Rio Branco, the work of Brazilian physicians who share their knowledge with Arab countries such as Algeria, and the sports centre Brazil helped establish in Palestine.

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Marcelo Sallum also spoke to the audience, and discussed Cordeiro’s own role in Brazilian-Arab relations. “He is a representative of Brazilian diplomacy who has made many contributions to establishing closer Brazil-Arab relations,” he said.

The dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil and Palestinian ambassador Ibrahim Alzeben said the undersecretary has raised the bar for relations between the two regions. “A man who works with something he believes in. A tireless champion of the dignity and freedom of human beings. A loyal friend to the Arab nation,” Alzeben said of Cordeiro. “He is a landmark of ethics, kindness and humility,” the dean said.

Cordeiro gave a display of his modesty by stating that he thought himself unworthy of the decoration, and wanted to give credit for it to the organization he serves, the Ministry of External Relations (aka Itamaraty). The undersecretary said the actions carried out by Brazil in the Arab country give international visibility to Brazil and strengthen Brazil’s foreign policy. “The policy focuses on fostering peace and unity,” said Cordeiro.

Paulo Cordeiro

Undersecretary general Cordeiro has been in his current position for three years. Born in Salvador, in the state of Bahia, and the holder of a degree in History, he told those in attendance at the Jockey Club that he owes the decoration to his wife, Vera Estrela. “One day she said to me: go make more money,” said Cordeiro with a smile on his face. According to the diplomat, Vera’s ultimatum prompted him to apply for the Foreign Ministry.

In his address, the Arab Brazilian Chamber president recounted the diplomat’s career. He mentioned Cordeiro’s work as Brazilian ambassador in Haiti, the importance of his work with the United Nations’ mission to stabilize the country, and the medals he has been awarded, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco and the Peacemaker’s Medal, both in 2006.

Arab Day

Speaking of the Arab Community Day, Sallum told the audience of how present the Arabs are in Brazilian daily life, with their influence on the vocabulary, on mathematics and music, among others. According to him, the Arab community in Brazil comprises 12 million descendants. “Here we live in complete harmony with wildly diverse nationalities and religions,” he said.

Sallum also discussed commercial ties between the Arab world and Brazil, and the work the Arab Brazilian Chamber has carried out for over 60 years. “We helped build and rebuild cities and integrate regions by building railways, roads, ports and airports,” he said, referring to some of the areas in which Brazilians made contributions with the Arab world. He also mentioned the Arab Brazilian Chamber’s involvement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for developing assistance campaigns.

The dean Alzeben also discussed the situation in Palestine. He noted how Arabs are well received in Brazil, but urged people not to forget their motherland, the childhood homes they left behind. And he said that on celebrating the Arab community, he felt disillusioned for two reasons. “Firstly, the fact that Palestine remains occupied and death surrounds my brothers every day,” he said. The second reason is the Syrian situation. “What is taking place in Syria right now is a crime against humanity,” he said.

Arabian horses

The guests were welcomed with a cocktail at São Paulo’s Jockey Club and watched a race of thoroughbred Arabian horses. The contest was part of the celebrations sponsored by the Arab Brazilian Chamber and featured seven horses.

The winner, which received a prize of R$ 20,196.00 (US$ 8,909.00) was the horse Atentaddo VE, ridden by José Ventura, and owned by José Luiz Aranha. The second horse was All Pol Rach, ridden by Antônio Queiroz, and owned by Lucas Quintana, and the third was Mahogany HVP, ridden by the jockey Gelson Ribeiro, and owned by Eduardo Garcia. Total betting was R$ 18,000 (US$ 7,940).

Before the race, three horses paraded wearing colourful Arab clothing. The jockeys riding them also wore typical Arab attire.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – The Brazilian foreign policy for the Arab world has found its best ambassador among the Arab community living in Brazil. The statement was made this Monday (31st) by the undersecretary general for Middle East and Africa Politics at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations, Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto, at the Jockey Club in São Paulo. The ambassador has been named the 2014 Arab Brazilian Chamber Personality, and was awarded the Order of Merit and named Commander by the organization. The event also celebrated the Day of the Arab Community in Brazil, whose official date is March 25th.

At the ceremony, speaking to the attendees, Cordeiro mentioned relations between the Arab world and Brazil, and how mutually important their economies are. “Brazilian businessmen have carried out construction work that has revolutionized the Arab countries,” the ambassador said, citing Brazilian participation in the construction of the Algiers metro and in the implementation of cotton farming in Sudan. On the other hand, he discussed Gulf-based funds which invest in Brazil. Regarding humanitarian aid, Cordeiro mentioned that Brazil has welcomed Syrian and Palestinian refugees.

He also touched on other actions designed to bring Brazilians and Arabs together, such as the introductory course on Islam offered by Brazil’s diplomatic academy Instituto Rio Branco, the work of Brazilian physicians who share their knowledge with Arab countries such as Algeria, and the sports centre Brazil helped establish in Palestine.

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Marcelo Sallum also spoke to the audience, and discussed Cordeiro’s own role in Brazilian-Arab relations. “He is a representative of Brazilian diplomacy who has made many contributions to establishing closer Brazil-Arab relations,” he said.

The dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil and Palestinian ambassador Ibrahim Alzeben said the undersecretary has raised the bar for relations between the two regions. “A man who works with something he believes in. A tireless champion of the dignity and freedom of human beings. A loyal friend to the Arab nation,” Alzeben said of Cordeiro. “He is a landmark of ethics, kindness and humility,” the dean said.

Cordeiro gave a display of his modesty by stating that he thought himself unworthy of the decoration, and wanted to give credit for it to the organization he serves, the Ministry of External Relations (aka Itamaraty). The undersecretary said the actions carried out by Brazil in the Arab country give international visibility to Brazil and strengthen Brazil’s foreign policy. “The policy focuses on fostering peace and unity,” said Cordeiro.

Paulo Cordeiro

Undersecretary general Cordeiro has been in his current position for three years. Born in Salvador, in the state of Bahia, and the holder of a degree in History, he told those in attendance at the Jockey Club that he owes the decoration to his wife, Vera Estrela. “One day she said to me: go make more money,” said Cordeiro with a smile on his face. According to the diplomat, Vera’s ultimatum prompted him to apply for the Foreign Ministry.

In his address, the Arab Brazilian Chamber president recounted the diplomat’s career. He mentioned Cordeiro’s work as Brazilian ambassador in Haiti, the importance of his work with the United Nations’ mission to stabilize the country, and the medals he has been awarded, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco and the Peacemaker’s Medal, both in 2006.

Arab Day

Speaking of the Arab Community Day, Sallum told the audience of how present the Arabs are in Brazilian daily life, with their influence on the vocabulary, on mathematics and music, among others. According to him, the Arab community in Brazil comprises 12 million descendants. “Here we live in complete harmony with wildly diverse nationalities and religions,” he said.

Sallum also discussed commercial ties between the Arab world and Brazil, and the work the Arab Brazilian Chamber has carried out for over 60 years. “We helped build and rebuild cities and integrate regions by building railways, roads, ports and airports,” he said, referring to some of the areas in which Brazilians made contributions with the Arab world. He also mentioned the Arab Brazilian Chamber’s involvement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for developing assistance campaigns.

The dean Alzeben also discussed the situation in Palestine. He noted how Arabs are well received in Brazil, but urged people not to forget their motherland, the childhood homes they left behind. And he said that on celebrating the Arab community, he felt disillusioned for two reasons. “Firstly, the fact that Palestine remains occupied and death surrounds my brothers every day,” he said. The second reason is the Syrian situation. “What is taking place in Syria right now is a crime against humanity,” he said.

Arabian horses

The guests were welcomed with a cocktail at São Paulo’s Jockey Club and watched a race of thoroughbred Arabian horses. The contest was part of the celebrations sponsored by the Arab Brazilian Chamber and featured seven horses.

The winner, which received a prize of R$ 20,196.00 (US$ 8,909.00) was the horse Atentaddo VE, ridden by José Ventura, and owned by José Luiz Aranha. The second horse was All Pol Rach, ridden by Antônio Queiroz, and owned by Lucas Quintana, and the third was Mahogany HVP, ridden by the jockey Gelson Ribeiro, and owned by Eduardo Garcia. Total betting was R$ 18,000 (US$ 7,940).

Before the race, three horses paraded wearing colourful Arab clothing. The jockeys riding them also wore typical Arab attire.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – The workings and particularities of the beauty market in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are the theme of the workshop taking place on April 23rd in the headquarters of the Brazilian Association of Toiletries, Perfumes & Cosmetics Industries (Abihpec), in São Paulo. The meeting is a partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) and targets professionals in the exporting, marketing and market intelligence areas of the cosmetic sector.

The Abihpec and Apex organize the project Beautycare Brazil together, to promote products from sectors of personal hygiene, perfumes and cosmetics in the foreign market. The event happens as a preparation for the Brazilian companies’ participation in the Beautyworld Middle East fair, taking place in Dubai, in the Emirates, from May 27 to 29.

“The Emirates are seen as a hub for Asian countries and for other Arab countries”, points out Michel Alaby, CEO of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, one of the lecturers of the workshop.

According to Alaby, Egypt is also an invaluable market for the sector “due to being one of the most populous countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and Saudi Arabia because it sells not only to expatriates, but also to the Saudis.”

According to the CEO of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, the middle class in these countries is the main target for the Brazilian cosmetic companies, “mainly in the areas of skin and hair care, including shampoos, conditioner, straighteners, nail polish, skin and hand lotions”, he says.

During the presentation, Alaby will talk about the negotiation processes with Egyptian and Emirati entrepreneurs. “In Dubai, the main distribution channel for the general public are the supermarkets”, says the entrepreneurs. In the lecture, he will also talk about locally-sold products, such as the Arab extracts (essences) and the vanity habits of women there.

In 2013, Brazil exported a total of US$ 773.75 million in hygiene, perfume and cosmetic products in the Arab countries, according to Abhipec data compiled by the Arab Brazilian Chamber. Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were, in this order, the main buyers from Brazilian products in the region.

Service
Workshop Arab Countries – Market study in the sector of personal hygiene, cosmetics and perfums for the Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Date: April 23rd
Time: from 9 a.m to 1p.m
Place: Abihpec
Av Paulista, 1313 – 10th floor Cj. 1080
Investment:
Beautycare Brazil program member companies: R$ 100,00 (US$ 44)
Other members: R$ 160,00 (US$ 70)
Non-members of Abihpec: R$ 300,00 (US$ 132)
Subscription: Until April 22nd 2014 or until there are no more openings available.
For further information: Daniel Oliveira – daniel@abihpec.org.br Phone: +55 11 3372-9881

*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça