Commercial relations between Arabs and Brazilians further strengthened, latest data from the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday. Brazilian exports have surpassed $3 billion while imports have increased by 18 percent in relation to previous year. Saudi Arabia received $701 million worth of Brazilian exports in first three months of 2012. Brazil's accumulated exports to the Arab countries jumped to $3.2 billion in the period January-March 2012, representing an increase of 3.33 percent when compared to the corresponding period in 2011. Imports from the Arab countries have also registered a significant increase, reaching $2 billion in the period, accounting for an increase of 18 percent in relation to the previous year. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce said the instability observed last year in some Arab countries has not affected the results. "The commercial relations between Brazil and the Arab countries proved to be vibrant in 2011 and continues so this year 2012," said Michel Alaby, director-general of the Arab Chamber. From Brazilian accumulated total exports of $3.2 billion registered in the first quarter of this year, Saudi Arabia heads the list as the main destination, reaching $701 million. Next are the United Arab Emirates ($611 million) and Egypt ($485 million). Among the exported products, the highlights were sugar, beef and poultry, mineral ores, cereals and vegetable oils. Brazilian imports from the Arab countries, in turn, is led by Algeria with $807 million, followed by Saudi Arabia ($387 million) and Kuwait ($265 million). Among the imported products, there was an increase in oil and oil derivatives, fertilizers and plastics. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce represents 22 Arab countries. It was established in 1952 with the mission of strengthening commercial bonds between Brazil and the Arab countries, while increasing cultural and tourism exchange between Arabs and Brazilians. The body provides various services, such as document certification, market data, translation, among others, and promotes events, workshops and courses. It also offers the Commercial Knowledge Center, a reference center for research on commercial relations between Brazil and the Arab countries.
