Arab – Brazilian Chamber of Commerce

NEWS FROM THE ARAB - FOREIGN JOINT CHAMBERS

Designated as the Brazilian representative of the Arab League’s business interests, ArabBrazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) is a bridge to link Brazil and the Arab world in the economic and social and the cultural sector. Operating for more than six decades, ABCC coordinates to find suitable business partner for Arab companies looking to collaborate with a Brazilian counterpart to distribute its products and vice versa in the South American country.

The Chamber’s main objective is to strengthen cooperation between Brazil and the Arab nations in areas of mutual interests including increasing exports to stimulate economic growth, in addition to offering targeted and tailored assistance for both sides.

ABCC offers companies looking to expand their business economics and market insights, arranges meetings between prospective partners, provides guidance on trade regulations, and assists with document certification and official translations. The organization also has a strong database of key entrepreneurs which helps businesses network in their respective industries. Further, to generate local and global opportunities, ABCC holds key events such as forums, roundtable discussions and networking sessions. ABCC’s role of being an intermediary is a very important as the Arab League is Brazil’s third largest foreign trade partner and second in agribusiness. There is a plethora of opportunities that businesses from both parties can take advantage of through bilateral agreements and investments. The organization is planning to establish international offices in Riyadh and Cairo. ABCC already has an international office in Dubai, which recently marked its second anniversary.

These offices hope to become a link between Brazil and the three major Arab cities to find new markets for Brazilian goods. In its expansion bid, the ABCC has also launched a membership drive which hopes to attract Arab companies to join the chamber. More members will help reinforce ABCC’s commitment towards further connecting Brazil with the Arab region for economic, social and cultural development.

The Chamber’s members enjoy several benefits which can help them drive more growth and development for their businesses such as industry-specific data and customized studies designed to understand the industries they operate in; exclusive invitations for ABCC-sponsored networking events and sessions and use of key facilities like meeting rooms and reception halls at the ABCC offices in Dubai and Brazil.

Tamer Mansour CEO and Secretary General ABCC

www.arabhellenicchamber.gr

ABCC also hosts webinars regularly to offer information and industry updates to Brazilian and Arab companies to keep the trade going. The organization is pleased to see the overwhelming positive response to these webinars which seeks to promote Brazilian goods which have been made in compliance with the halal food standards and guidelines, and further unlock Brazilian-Arab free trade agreement talks.

The ABCC recently marked its 68th anniversary. In order to minimize the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber has ramped up efforts to enhance trade relations between Brazil and Arab nations. The organization recently appointed former Ambassador Osmar Chohfi as its new President, replacing Rubens Hannun, who held the position for the past four years. Under the new leadership, Chohfi plans to move ABCC towards Trade 4.0. He seeks to implement the ‘Ellos Blockchain platform’, a chain of records of commercial, banking, trade and export transactions between Brazil and the Arab countries, set to go live in the coming months. ABCC is moving towards digital transformation with Chamber 4.0 plan which is in line with modern social governance standards.

The Chamber will invest in technology platforms and brickand-mortar to increase the ABCC’s prowess in optimizing Industry 4.0 technologies and to hone its data analytics capabilities. It will also focus on building its rapport with governments and business associations to get more clients and facilitate free trade agreements.

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce continues to improve the communication channels between Brazil and Arab countries, as well as promote Brazilian goods and to increase awareness on the Arab region’s culture-oriented work.

By Tamer Mansour, CEO and Secretary General, ABCC