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Dubai in South American push

Trade mission highlights emirate's export, re-export potential.

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 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 logistics infrastructure, ease of doing business and opportunities for sourcing, exports and re-exports were highlighted.

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 strategic business sectors in Dubai and also enable UAE businesses to penetrate new growth markets in South America.

Engineer Saed Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports, said: “Both Brazil and Argentina are among the world’s topmost producers and exporters of food, which is important in view of Dubai’s growing capabilities in this area and food security concerns in and around the Middle East.”

“The state of Sao Paulo accounts for 32 per cent 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,” Mohammed Al Kamali, deputy CEO of Dubai Exports, said.

A seminar in Sao Paulo, titled ‘Dubai, a gateway for global trade and a centre for re-exports to the region,’ explored means for companies from Brazil and the UAE to establish their presence in each other’s markets.

Emphasis was given to Dubai’s Islamic Economy initiative during delegates’ interactions. Arnaldo Jardin, secretary of agriculture for the state of Sao Paulo, was the keynote speaker in a ‘Dubai Islamic Economy Roundtable’.

“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 opportunities for South American exporters, with GCC food consumption set to exceed $100 billion by 2018 as per AT Kearney. Jebel Ali Port provides a trade gateway connecting the supply chain to over two billion people in 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.

Al Muallem added that Dubai has food processing and packaging plants with ambitious plans to develop dedicated halal zones.

Abdullah Al Awar, CEO of the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), said that South America would bolster Dubai’s efforts to create a global halal trade network with common standards to enable regional and international firms to tap into the growing interest in halal products.

“Growing at an estimated annual rate of 20 per cent, the halal industry in Brazil is valued at about $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,” added Al Awar.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice-president, Cargo, said South American markets, particularly Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Columbia and Peru, are important for Emirates SkyCargo due to various reasons, including rising demand for commodities and charter opportunities.

business@khaleejtimes.com