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Week-long trade mission to South America highlights Dubai's expanding logistics and infrastructure
Dubai - Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, in association with its new overseas office in Brazil, organised a successful trade mission to two South American markets recently. The mission to Brazil and Argentina was aimed to build awareness on the export and re-export capabilities of Dubai as well as the practical aspects of doing business in the host countries and in Dubai.
Dubai's well-integrated logistics infrastructure, ease of doing business and opportunities for competitive sourcing, exports and re-exports were highlighted across a series of seminars, networking sessions, B2B meetings and field visits during the week-long mission.
Emirates SkyCargo, DP World and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) also joined Dubai Exports in the mission, which sought to attract businesses in Brazil and Argentina to the strategic business sectors in Dubai and also enable UAE businesses to penetrate new growth markets in South America.
"Brazil and Argentina represent the leading economies and the most populated countries in South America. While Brazil is rated the world's tenth largest economy, Argentina is an emerging market standing third among South American economies," commented Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports.
"Both Brazil and Argentina are among the world's topmost producers and exporters of food, which is important in view of the growing capabilities of Dubai in this area and the food security concerns in and around the Middle East. The growing presence of South American food products and brands in the region and the efforts of Brazil and Argentina to reposition their respective economies for accelerated growth also offer great potential," added Al Awadi.
The Dubai Exports delegation, comprising Mohammed Al Kamali, Deputy CEO, Dr Ashraf Mahate, Head of Export Market Intelligence and Larissa Das Dores who heads the overseas office in Brazil launched the mission with a seminar in Sao Paulo, the most populous city in Brazil and the largest economy of South America in terms of GDP (gross domestic product).
"The state of Sao Paulo accounts for 32% of Brazil's GDP and presents a prominent gateway not only to Brazil but the entire South American continent. Dubai Exports focused on connecting with public and private sector enablers in Sao Paulo so that UAE businesses can successfully penetrate this largest consumer market in South America," commented Al Kamali.
Organised in partnership with FecomercioSP - the federation of goods, services and tourism sector companies in Sao Paulo - the seminar, titled 'Dubai, a gateway for global trade and a centre for re-exports to the region,' explored means and opportunities for companies from Brazil and the UAE to establish their presence in each other's markets.
His Excellency Saleh Al Suwaidi, Consul General of the UAE in Sao Paulo, Mrs Helena Monteiro, Head of the Office of Foreign Affairs for the Sao Paulo State Government and representatives of delegate businesses and industry associations including the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce spoke at the seminar.
Delegates in the mission also met with representatives of leading businesses and semi-government institutions under the auspices of the Federation of the Industries of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP) on the second day of their visit.
Significant emphasis was given to Dubai's Islamic Economy initiative across the interactions the delegates had in Sao Paulo and later in Argentina. His Excellency Arnaldo Jardin, Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Sao Paulo was keynote speaker in a 'Dubai Islamic Economy Roundtable,' hosted in partnership with the federal Ministry of Agriculture in Brazil. "Already major exporters of food products to the Middle East, Brazil and Argentina have the potential to emerge as a strong link in the emerging halal value chain by leveraging Dubai's Islamic economy initiative," said Al Kamali.
"Dubai offers unparalleled opportunities for South American exporters, with GCC food consumption set to exceed US$100 billion by 2018 as per AT Kearney. Jebel Ali Port provides an efficient trade gateway connecting the supply chain to over two billion people across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent," said Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World, UAE Region.
Mr Al Muallem added that Dubai already has world class food processing and packaging plants with ambitious plans to develop dedicated halal zones to meet the needs of the regional and international halal food market. "At DP World we are working closely with Dubai Exports to support trade. The success of our trade mission to Brazil and Argentina is a fine example of the collaborative approach pursued by Dubai."
Abdullah Al Awar, CEO of the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), remarked South America would bolster Dubai's efforts to create a global halal trade network with common standards to enable regional and international firms tap into the growing interest in halal products. DIEDC in partnership with Dubai Exports and other agencies concerned is promoting a hub-to-hub concept to strengthen Islamic economy activity not just in Muslim majority countries but also in countries such as Brazil that have significant halal-based industries.
"Growing at an estimated annual rate of 20%, the halal industry in Brazil is valued at about US$560 billion a year. What Dubai has achieved so far in terms of infrastructure and regulations has reinforced its position as a trusted destination for major Islamic economy activities. This credibility is the foundation upon which Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre will base future initiatives, especially towards unifying halal standards. Closer co-operation among markets and hubs will help reinforce the local and global halal market, create an acceptance for globally traded goods under the Dubai halal brand and ultimately extend our halal footprint globally," added Al Awar.
Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo, said South American markets, particularly such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Columbia and Peru are important for Emirates SkyCargo due to various reasons including rising demand for commodities and charter opportunities. "The growth of air cargo in the region pass through our hub that also handles nearly 70% of the cargo traffic in the gulf. From there Emirates SkyCargo can connect the halal products in particular to more than 140 different cities in 81 countries, with refined services and innovative air cargo products."
With a view to familiarise the delegates with the Brazilian economy and approach to doing business a meeting was organised with representatives of legal firms, logistics companies, marketing companies, accountants, banks and consultants in Sao Paulo. The delegates also held discussions with His Excellency Edemir Pinto, CEO of Bovespa, Sao Paulo's stock exchange.
In Argentina too the discussions centred on Dubai's growing strengths as a gateway to the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) region and as a hub of Islamic economy. Representatives from the National Authority for Agriculture & Animal Standards (SENASA) and the provinces of Cordoba, Santa Fe, and Mendoza joined the discussions along with halal certification groups and financial institutions interested in Dubai's Islamic economy capabilities.
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About Dubai Exports
Dubai Exports, an agency of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai, commenced operations in 2007. As part of the Economic Development Department of Dubai, its mandate is to facilitate trade from Dubai and establish itself as a world-class export development and promotion body by creating an enabling environment for Dubai's exporters.
Dubai Exports has developed a range of value-added trade support services to UAE-based firms exporting through Dubai, for accelerated and profitable expansion of their businesses in foreign markets.
For further information, please contact:
Faisal Shamsudheen
Government Communication Division,
Department of Economic Development
Tel: (971 4) 445 5927
Email: faisal.pathiasseri@dubaided.gov.ae
© Press Release 2015
