São Paulo – The Jordanian economy has shown consistent improvement in some of its main indicators in 2013. On the other hand, the daily lives of Jordanians still falls far short of ideal conditions, and has not improved accordingly. The unemployment rate exceeds 12% and the high costs benefit the well-off. So says a report on the Jordanian economy released this Friday (4th) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), following a series of meetings between local authorities and a mission from the Fund, from March 4th to 19th. The IMF also discussed new tranches in a loan signed in 2012, which should be transferred until the end of this month.

According to the document, in 2013, the Jordanian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 3%, driven by the financial sector as well as telecommunications, trade and construction. Inflation stabilized at 3%¨and the current account deficit was lower than 10% of the GDP. The country’s foreign currency reserves grew to a “comfortable level,” sufficient to enable five months’ worth of imports. The main reasons for the improvement were lower energy imports and increased revenues by private institutions.

In the statement, the IMF forecasts 3.5% growth for this year, and 4.5% for 2014. In 2014, the inflation rate should be approximately 2.5% and the current account deficit should drop to 4.5% of the GDP. “Risks to this outlook remain high, mostly related to the Syria conflict and further disruptions in energy imports,” the IMF admonishes.

While the country’s economic outlook improved last year, the same does not hold true for the population. The document claims improvements must be made that will benefit all Jordanians. “the focus should remain on achieving an equitable distribution of the burden of adjustment and protecting the most vulnerable. As benefits of low utility prices and low effective income tax rates have accrued disproportionately to the well off, utility and tax reforms are essential to a balanced consolidation effort,” according to the IMF.

The unemployment rate dropped from 14% in the past decade to 12.6% last year, but is still considered high by the IMF, because it is highest among young people and women. In order for Jordan to be able to absorb new entrants to the labour force, its GDP will need to grow by 6.1% per annum, on average, until 2020.

The Fund advises the Jordanian government to carry out banking sector reforms, increase female participation in the labour market, secure lending, improve the business climate and insolvency laws. It also calls on the country to perfect its tax collection system and prioritize public investment.

In the statement, the IMF notes that it has reviewed the credit line it signed with Jordan in 2012. The contract concerns a loan from the IMF, amounting to US$ 2 billion, and divided into tranches. Jordan has received US$ 1.043 billion and should see another US$ 264 million this month, equivalent to the fourth and fifth tranches. The funds are wired following the Fund’s assessment of the country’s economic performance, as per the contract.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

 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

São Paulo – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will help Sudan organize its economy in order to reestablish growth. In a note released this week, the Fund states it has approved the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP), which will help the Sudanese government in economic reforms until the end of the year. This partnership does not entail loans neither guarantees by the IMF.

“Sudan’s economy has been facing major challenges since the July 2011 secession of South Sudan, with low economic growth, high inflation largely driven by the financing of high fiscal deficits, a deterioration in external and fiscal accounts, and a persisting gap between the official and curb market exchange rates”, says the Fund on a note.

In 2011, the population in the South agreed to the separation of Sudan after years of conflict. The South kept most oil reserves, but the new country does not have access to the sea. An agreement between the two governments made at the time determined that the oil would, then, be sent to Sudan and from there exported through the Red Sea. According to the agreement, the revenue from the oil would be split. The resources, however, are not fully harnessed.

The IMF claims that another problem in Sudan is the high and mostly overdue foreign debt. It is this debt that keeps the country from getting external financing sources and loans from IMF. Though IMF claims to have established “good relations” with Sudan for over a decade, the Arab country cannot receive IMF’s resources because it is also in debt with the Fund.

In the note, the IMF says it will work alongside the local authorities and monitor the progress in the implementing of the economic programme through its quantitative targets and structural benchmarks. “Successful implementation of the SMP will signal to the international community the authorities’ commitment to macroeconomic reforms and in due time will help the authorities in the debt relief process,” says the note.

*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça

São Paulo – The Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef, in the Portuguese acronym) and the Brazilian Pork Producers and Exporters Association (Abipecs) have announced this Monday (24th), in São Paulo, that they have ceased to exist, and have formed the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). The new institution is representing the poultry and pork industries, and was established in a bid to increase industry representativeness, amass more members, and boost imports. According to the ABPA, the relationship with Arab countries, which are the leading buyers of Brazilian poultry, remains the same.

The CEO of the new organization will be the former Brazilian minister of Agriculture and former Ubabef CEO Francisco Turra. In turn, Ricardo Santin, the former Ubabef markets director, will be the ABPA vice president for the poultry sector, and Rui Vargas will be the vice president for the pork sector. Food company Aurora Alimentos’s commercial director Leomar Somensi will be chairman of the board at the ABPA.

On announcing the new association, Turra said that in addition to increasing representativeness for the poultry and swine industries, the ABPA will add synergies to the former associations, “Both sectors will share a common agenda. Whenever possible, one single person will represent us abroad. However, each vice presidency will handle specific issues to each of the industries,” said Turra.

Santin said the ABPA will push for the same claims as those of the associations that preceded it, but it will have more members. “We want to break into new markets, we have concerns with animal sanitation,” he said of one item on the ABPA’s agenda. He said the ABPA board is yet to convene in order to list the needs and projects in each of the areas.

The executive director for corporate affairs at food company BRF, Marcos Jank, was one of the members of the workgroup that created the ABPA. He said the merging of Ubabef and Abipecs had been on the table for two years. “These are industries in which Brazil is relevant on a global scale, and they share a common background. There was no reason for us to be working separately,” he said.

According to information presented during the ABPA announcement, the new organization will represent an industry with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of R$ 80 billion (US$ 34.42 billion) and employs 1.756 million people. The ABPA is born with com 132 members, most in the poultry industry, and the target for this year is 150. The member companies account for a combined 80% of Brazilian production and 92% of exports in poultry, and for 82% of production and 100% of exports in pork. The two industries’ combined exports stood at US$ 10 billion in 2013 and should increase by roughly US$ 2 billion up until 2020.

The Brazilian poultry industry exports to 155 countries, and the ABPA’s target is to reach 170 by 2020. The Brazilian pork industry ships product to 70 countries and the target for 2020 is 80. The new ABPA target markets for poultry include African countries and Islamic countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Pork industry targets include Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

The relationship with Islamic and Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa remains the same, says Turra. “We will remain loyal to them as we have always been, there will be no changes [to the relationship] whatsoever,” he stated.

The Middle East is the premier target market for Brazilian poultry. In January, Brazil shipped 299,700 tonnes of pork abroad. Of these, 111,000 tonnes went to Middle East countries, up 4.2% from January 2013. The leading importing country in the region was Saudi Arabia, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar and Oman.

The projects formerly carried out by the Abipecs and Ubabef in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil) will continue. Cases in point include the Brazilian Chicken, Brazilian Egg and Brazilian Pork programs. The International Poultry Salon (SIAV) will also continue to be held, under the name International Poultry and Pork Farming Salon.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – Four Arab importers are taking part of the 15th Expodireto Cotrijal this Wednesday (12), the agribusiness fair that takes place in Rio Grande do Sul’s city of Não-Me-Toque. On their way to the fair, the group passed through São Paulo’s capital this Monday (11) and visited the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. They are food and machinery distributors and, according to information supplied to ANBA, they intend to find suppliers on the fair.

One of them is Imran Ikram, general manager of Gusto Distribution, company that deals with importing and distributing food products in Oman, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and will soon start operations in Libya and Iraq. Gusto works with products such as poultry, meat, French fries, green beans, frozen vegetables among others; but has in poultry 60% to 70% of their business. It is the first time Ikram has come to Brazil, but Gusto already purchases Brazilian poultry. Their goal in Expodireto Cotrijal, however, is to find new supplying plants.

 Also in Brazil to take part in the fair is president and director-general of ONAB Trade, Mustapha Zamoum, from Algeria. The company imports food products and processes them to sell in their country. According to him, Algeria is a market with great opportunities. The company purchased last year 27,000 tonnes of meat and 32,000 tonnes of soy bean from Brazil, worth US$ 10 mn. Their goal is to increase these volumes, said Zamoum.

According to the Algerian’s perception, soy and corn from Brazil are competitive, but the country has infrastructure problems that affect business and goods transport. In Expodireto, he wants to know the producers, buy feed and be in touch with poultry equipment manufacturers for possible partnerships.

From Morocco to Brazil to take part in the fair in Não-Me-Toque is purchasing director of Koutobia Holding, Omar Iraqi. The company is the biggest meat industry in Morocco, with 75% local market share. It deals with poultry, meat and sausages, purchasing the raw material mainly from Europe. The company does not import from Brazil yet, but would like to do so, according to Iraqi. In Expodireto, the Moroccan intends to do business, find good price and products, according to the importer. He wants to arrange long term partnerships.

 Alanwar Trading Company, from Iraq, is an agricultural machinery and parts importer and distributor in the Arab country and is also represented in the Brazilian Fair. It deals with brands such as Massey Ferguson, AGCO, New Holand, John Deere, among others. The import manager from the company, Anwer Habesh Mech says the company imported from Brazil on three opportunities, in the years of 2009, 2011 and roughly two months ago. Mech claims that he wants to do direct business in Expodireto.

While in São Paulo, the importers met with Arab-Brazilian Chamber’s CEO, Michel Alaby, and watched presentations about Brazilian agribusiness, the entity’s work and Expodireto Cotrijal. They acquired information about the fair’s size, the Brazilian production of grains such maize and soy bean, agricultural machinery, among other products. Government relations manager of the entity, Tamer Mansour, and Market Intelligence director, Suelma Rosa dos Santos, placed the Arab-Brazilian Chamber at the executives and entrepreneurs’ disposal, in order to help them on their business with Brazil and put them in touch with potential importers.

 *Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça

Dubai – The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has confirmed to ANBA this Tuesday (25th) that it plans on opening an office in São Paulo in a bid to help its 150,000 member companies invest in yet under-tapped markets. According to the DCCI Commercial Services Department senior director, Atiq Juma Faraj Nasib, the organization plans on opening offices in countries that may become major partners with Dubai-based companies, and the bureau in São Paulo is “on the radar.”

 This Tuesday (25th), at the DCCI headquarters in Dubai, Nasib welcomed the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce CEO, Michel Alaby, Institutional Relations director, Silvio Abdalla, and Gulf director, Mohamad Abdouni. There is no set date for the opening of the office in São Paulo.

“Africa is our primary target right now. After that we will move onto other regions. Why leave Dubai? We have many members and the local market is already saturated. We must find new opportunities. Thus, we are moving into markets that can offer the type of product we need, products we can import. We are also looking to gather information and conduct studies on other regions for our members. There are plenty of opportunities in South and Central America, especially in Brazil, which is a food supplier, with quality beef and poultry, and which is also a competitive country,” said Nasib.

According to the DCCI press office, the chapter in São Paulo will provide a facility for Dubai-based enterprises to arrange meetings with potential local partners, as well as promotional meetings.

The office will also be used for promoting Dubai as an international business hub, and to publicize the DCCI’s services and initiatives. the organization has informed that it hopes its Brazilian office will result in foreign direct investment being made in the emirate.

Last Sunday (23rd), the Foreign Trade undersecretary to the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah Saleh, had already told the Arab Brazilian Chamber directors that the Gulf country is looking to increase business and investment with South American countries. On Monday (24th), the Emirati minister of Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, confirmed that the emir of Dubai, Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is visiting Brazil and other South American countries in April.

At the meeting this Tuesday, Alaby and the DCCI delegate also discussed allowing mutual access to the two commerce chambers’ databanks, so the members of both can find details about other members. It will be a way to promote bilateral trade and information exchange between companies from Brazil and Dubai.

They also discussed implementing an exchange program between the two organizations. The idea is to have Arab Brazilian Chamber members spend a month at the DCCI headquarters and vice versa, so they can learn about the business environment, daily activities, and document issuance procedures.

Sharjah

Shared databank and exchange program proposals were also discussed with delegates from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who welcomed the Arab Brazilian Chamber directors this Tuesday in Dubai’s neighbouring emirate. On Monday (24th), Alaby also proposed setting up an exchange program with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During the meeting this Tuesday (25th), the vice president of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saeed Obaid Al Jarwan, and its director general, Hussain Mohamed Mahmoudi, invited Alaby to attend a seminar due in late March. They want to have a Brazilian lecturer speak at the event on major business opportunities with the country.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

Dubai – The world’s leading meat processing company, Brazil’s JBS is keen on increasing its presence in the Middle East. This Wednesday (26th), at the Gulfood fair in Dubai, BS global chairman Wesley Batista told ANBA that the company is looking to increase the share of poultry exports in its overall revenues, and within this industry the Middle East is a priority. The region is Brazil’s premier chicken export target.

He said JBS plans on increasing its presence in the region over the next few years. In quarter three, 2013, the company posted R$ 24.2 billion in revenues. Export revenues stood at US$ 3 billion, and sales to the Middle East fetched US$ 265 million.

“There is no question that we have a tremendous focus on this region as concerns the company’s poultry sales expansion plan. The Middle East is a priority to us. We want to expand our presence in the region, to build our brand and to sell more product. We do no plan on operating locally, but rather to increase our sales and invest in our brands,” said Batista.

The businessman acknowledged the fact that another Brazil-based company, BRF, which owns of brands Sadia and Perdigão, is strong and well-established in the Middle East, but he does not believe the competitor’s being present will get in the way of his plans. “Sadia has been here for many years now, and they are quite strong in the Middle East. [BRF] is the leading Brazilian company in the Middle East, but we can grow too, and BRF is not our biggest challenge in the region. There is room for us to grow,” he said.

One of the company’s brands is Seara, whose products are on display at JBS’ Gulfood stand, and which was acquired last year from the meat company Marfrig. Other items in the company’s portfolio which are being offered to Arabs are the brands Swift, Friboi, Maturatta, Cabana Las Lillas, Pilgrim’s, Gold Kist Farms, Frangosul, LeBon, Pena Branca, Rezende, and Fiesta.

According to Batista, poultry sales to the Middle East and North Africa are on the way up, and should remain so for the next few months. On the other hand, beef sales have dropped because the Gulf’s leading buyer, Saudi Arabia, has embargoed imports of the product from Brazil.

In late 2012, the Brazilian government announced that an animal that died in the state of Paraná, in 2010, carried the causative agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, aka “mad cow disease,” although the animal did not develop the condition, and died from unrelated causes.

Several companies, including Saudi, banned imports of Brazilian beef. Most of them have reversed the decision, but not the Saudis. The Brazilian and Saudi governments are in talks to resume sales.

The executive believes now is the time to step up poultry exports, even though there are no set targets with regard to market share or brand presence. he said he wants his company to have a strong presence in the leading Middle Eastern markets, especially Saudi and Egypt.

Batista also said the Gulfood is a “very good” fair, considering the visibility it affords, and not only in the Gulf. “This is a very good, highly relevant fair, because Dubai is in the ‘middle of the world,’ and as such it attracts clients from emerging countries in Asia, like China and India, as well as European ones.”

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – The Brazilian confectionery industry is focusing on the foreign market this year. The launch of an international website in three languages is one of the bets for promoting the sweets overseas. Also, the industry is investing on product innovation and on packaging labelled in foreign languages in order to boost exports.

“The industry is beginning to invest more and more in innovation. We are the world’s third largest confectionery industry,” says Rodrigo Solano, the Export manager for the Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab). In terms of production and sales, Brazil is second only to the United States and Germany.

Solano says Abicab and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil) are developing a strategy named Brazil Beyond Sugar for showcasing the country’s confectionery industry at foreign markets.

“Brazil is known as a major sugar exporting country, and we want to show the world what we do with all this sugar. All the more so because Brazilian cane-based sugar is different than the beet-based sugar made abroad; sugar made from cane is sweeter,” he says.

In November last year, Abicab launched its international website. Available in Arabic, English and Spanish, the site has had 17,500 page views so far. Most of the hits, including the three versions, originated from Germany, the United States, Italy, China and France.

Among Arab countries, the site had the most viewers in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates. Solano explains that although they rank low on the list of visitors, when combined, the Arabs account for a significant portion of interested parties. “The Arab countries combined rank right below Germany,” he says.

The news on the website will be updated on a fortnightly basis, but the contents are renewed more frequently, including recipes, information on events and on the Brazilian industry. The address is www.sweetbrasil.org.br.

Exports

In 2013, the Brazilian confectionery industry exported 118,000 tonnes, down 3% from 2012, and grossing US$ 291.5 million. “The industry is restructuring. We are seeing a slowdown, as are all other industries,” says the Abicab manager regarding the decline in foreign sales.

He notes, however, that companies are working to offset the decline in sales. “There is a trend towards innovation, premium products and nutraceutics (items with nutritional properties). There are 300 flavours to explore in Brazil. It is highly likely we will see a healthy recovery,” he says.

However, Solano declines to make any forecasts concerning exports in 2014. “This year is a big question mark. The scenario remains highly volatile, and it will all hinge on the companies’ development and the response they will get from the world. I am very optimistic; some of our associates are carrying out aggressive actions targeting the foreign market,” he says.

The packaging is also a part of the sales strategy. “Almost all enterprises include translations into Arabic on their labels. The packaging is being completely adapted to the foreign market,” says Solano, noting that some companies are no longer exporting packaging in Portuguese with translations into other languages, and are opting instead to offer labels entirely written in the target languages.

Fairs and World Cup

For this year, Abicab has a few events in store for foreign buyers. During the World Cup, for instance, the association will bring six importers to have a close look at the Brazilian confectionery industry.

Fairs are also a part of Abicab’s international strategy. The organization is taking eight companies to the Gulfood, a trade show due from the 23rd to the 27th this month in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They are: Docile, Dori, Embaré, Garoto, Jazam, Harald, Peccin and Riclan.

In November, the association will take the companies to the Sweets and Snacks Middle East, also held in Dubai. “We are noticing that companies regard the Middle East as a key strategic market. The fairs in Dubai are often more action-packed than others, and this attracts our associates,” he says.

In 2013, the Middle East, including non-Arab countries in the region, accounted for 3% of the industry’s exports, having imported a combined 4,400 tonnes, up 4.2% from 2012.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

São Paulo – Brazilian associations of beef, poultry and pork exporters will work to open up new markets. The goal is to boost exports of these meats by a million tonnes. Last year, 5.652 million tonnes were shipped from Brazil, i.e. the additional volume will represent a 17.7% increase in shipped volume.

The target was set this week at a meeting between the chairmen of the Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef), Francisco Turra, and of the Brazilian Meat Exporting Industries Association (Abiec), Antônio Camardelli, the director of the Brazilian Pork Producers and Exporters Association (Abipecs), Jurandi Soares, the executive secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Ricardo Schaefer, the international relations director to the Secretariat for Foreign Trade (Secex), Marcio Lima, and the chairman of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), Maurício Borges.

“The target was proposed by the secretary [Ricardo Schaefer]. There is no deadline for it, but the target is feasible in terms of entering markets which are now closed off to us,” explains Ricardo Santin, the Markets director for Ubabef, who also attended the meeting held at the organization’s headquarters in Paulo.

Santin says the number of additional tonnes to be exported for each type of meat was not set, but that the poultry industry’s target for this year is shipping 4 million tonnes abroad. Last year, poultry exports from Brazil stood at 3.891 million tonnes.

The Ubabef Markets director notes that the industry’s goals include entering markets such as Indonesia and Malaysia, which buy halal chicken just like the Arab countries, and beginning to sell to India, which does not import Brazilian poultry, even though said imports are allowed by the local government.

Regarding Arab countries, Santin explains that since most of the Middle East countries already buy Brazilian chicken, the goal in the region is to increase the competitiveness of Brazilian product. “We want to work on our sales profile by selling more value-added products. The Middle East ranks among our best clients. We will carry out actions to strengthen and improve our competitive edge,” he says.

According to Santin, the meeting this week was the first step towards increasing meat exports. “Each of the associations will outline their priorities to the government and then we will devise joint actions. This is a tandem effort from the meats industry and the government, in order to boost exports, “he explains.

During the World Cup in Brazil, Apex will promote two export-oriented actions: the Buyer Project, for bringing importers to Brazil, and the Image Project, for bringing journalists. “We are going to portray an image of Brazil that is not only about soccer, but also of quality and sustainability,” said Santin.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum