JEDDAH – Arab countries imported more than $3.6 billion worth of goods from Brazil during the first half of 2012, while Arab exports to Brazil reached nearly $4 billion during the same period, reaffirming the importance of Brazil as a key trade partner of the Arab world. Brazilian exports to Arab countries mainly consisted of sugars, meat, ores, slag, ash and cereals, while Arab exports to Brazil included mineral fuel, oil and fertilizers. Saudi Arabia, the region's largest economy, remains the leading trade partner of Brazil in the Arab world, the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce said in a statement. Kingdom had more than $720 million in imports and over $1.4 billion in exports to Brazil during the first half of 2012. The UAE has also been a major trade partner of Brazil with more than $489m in imports and over $65.6m in exports. Egypt ranks second among top Arab importers of Brazilian products with more than $674 million in imports in the first half of 2012, while Egyptian exports to Brazil totaled over $40 million. Other top Arab trade partners of Brazil include Qatar and Kuwait, which exported products to Brazil worth in excess of $362 million and $337 million, respectively. On the other hand, Qatar and Kuwait imported products from Brazil worth more than $80 million and $64 million, respectively, during the first six months of 2012. Michel Alaby, CEO, Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Trade activities between Brazil and the Arab world will continue to expand as Brazilian traders and their Arab counterparts are actively exploring new opportunities for mutual growth. The success of matchmaking events being organized by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce underlines the growing interest of Arab markets in Brazilian products. Moreover, the Arab world will continue to be a major source of mineral fuel, oil and even aluminum products that are vital in sustaining the growth of the Brazilian economy. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce remains fully committed with its mission to cultivate greater interaction between Brazilian and Arab companies and unlock more exciting prospects that will further expand and strengthen the economic ties between these key trading partners.” Other prominent exports from Brazil to various Arab markets include machinery, grains, seed and fruit products, inorganic chemicals and rare earth metals, fats and oils, natural pearls and stones, spices, coffee and tea. Arab exports to Brazil, on the other hand, also include plastic products, aluminum, inorganic chemicals and rare earth metals, electrical machinery, glass and glassware, fish and seafood, and woven apparel. – SG
