BRAZIL 50 YEARS
OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS KHALEEJ TIMES
BRAZIL, UAE STRENGTHEN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Both nations are set to increase mutual investments as bilateral trade hits $4.3b in 2023
With our economies fully stabilised, enduring growth rates and a less bureaucreatic environment, I am confident we will watch more Brazilian companies coming to the UAE and more Emiratis investments heading to Brazil.”
T
Muzaffar Rizvi
he strategic partnership between Brazil and the UAE covers multiple sectors with significant development potential and both the nations are ready to further strengthening bilateral ties in key sectors, says a diplomat. Ambassador of Brazil to the UAE Sidney Leon Romeiro said the UAE has already consolidated itself as the first or second largest destination for Brazilian exports of goods throughout the Arab world, with total trade exceeding $4.3 billion in 2023. “We can increase business even further by diversifying our export agenda, even in the food sector, in which we contribute to the UAE’s food security. The construction sector, furniture design, ornamental stones and the broad domain of startups, to name just a few, offer many possibilities in this context,” Romeiro told Khaleej Times during an interview. He said the mutual investments between Brazil and the UAE are substantial and continue to grow. Excerpts from the interview: What key milestones or significant agreements have marked the journey of economic cooperation between Brazil and the UAE since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years back? Brazil and the UAE´s relationship is a history of success. Along the past 50 years we have been building together a strong partnership that convers segments that range from trade to space
Sidney Leon Romeiro Ambassador of Brazil to the UAE
exploration, energy to culture, defense to science and technology, among others. We are proud of these achievements and committed to keep ahead this journey for the next jubilee. Brazil established its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1978, seven years after the UAE’s independence, a clear indication of Brazil’s commitment to foster a robust relationship with the new nation. The first significant economic agreement between the two countries was signed in 1988, in the field of trade and economic cooperation. This was an important landmark as
it provided a framework for our ever growing commercial ties. Shortly after, in 1991, the UAE established its embassy in Brasília, its first in Latin America. It was in the 2000s, however, that economic relations saw a significant boost with the negotiations and signature of several trade agreements. As a result, already in 2008, the UAE became Brazil’s second-largest trading partner in the Gulf and the third in the Middle East. In 2019, bilateral relations were elevated to the level of a “strategic partnership” reaffirming our interest in expanding the bilateral agenda in diverse fields. President Lula da Silva’s two visits in 2023 are also significant milestones. It is not only an expression of confidence in our relations but also an indication of the strength and vitality of the political dialogue at the highest level. Brazil´s firm support for the UAE to become a BRICS member; the invitation to the UAE to participate in G-20, during the Brazilian presidency; the outstanding coordination we have had in COP and other multilateral foruns, like in the Security Council; and finally the ongoing negotia-
tions of a CEPA agreement shall also be praised as milestones in our 50th jubilee. How do you see Brazil-UAE bilateral relations in next 50 years? Brazil is keen to further strengthen ties in infrastructure, AI, aviation, culture and sports. What do you say? Brazilian and Emirati economies are complementary across various sectors. In infrastructure, there is significant potential for UAE investments in Brazil, a vast country that needs partners to explore roads, ports, airports, power plants, among others. Aviation is another area of shared interest, with companies like Embraer, Emirates, and Etihad being prominent global players. Brazil just unveiled an ambitious plan to stimulate the tourism industry and the Emirates can have an important role in this project with the experience and knowledge the country has acquired with logistics. The UAE is a key partner in the field of AI. It is remarkable and inspiring to see how the Emirates is preparing the country – people and institutions - to cope with the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. It has become a area of special relevance for us and our countries have already agreed in advancing cooperation in this agenda. The same goes with space exploration, where we have already negotiated a MoU aiming to exchange experiences in this field. The UAE has a rich culture and a distinctive identity that should be more familiar to the Brazilian people. Brazil, also, has a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape that has yet to be fully explored by the Emiratis. We are working with a view to strengthen our cultural ties through different cultural manifestations, such as gastronomy, dance, theater, music literature, among others. Brazil and the UEA have two shared passions when talking about sports: foot-
ball and Jiu-Jitsu. In football our partnership dates back to 1990, whem Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira led the UAE to its first World Cup. The Emiratis are huge fans of Brazilian football and God willing both our national jerseys will be in the pitch in the next world tornament. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has a solid presence in the Emiratis and this is a source of proud, for us. There are more than one thousand national Brazilians working in the Emirates as coaches or BJJ-related activities, a young and vibrant community deeply fond of the UAE. It is up to us to support this community and work to futhrer expand it. The UAE is a priority partner for Brazil, especially under the framework of the country’s strategy to advance its relations with Gulf countries. What targets do you set to further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries? The strategic partnership between Brazil and the UAE covers multiple sectors with significant development potential. To give a few examples, it involves political activities, economic partnerships, commercial exchanges, bilateral cooperation in areas as diverse as science, technology and innovation; actions to combat climate change and cultural activities. Another promising area for strengthening bilateral ties involves investments for the energy transition, given the synergies between the two countries and the fact that Brazil is one of the countries with the cleanest energy matrix in the world, which needs to receive investments in this area. Mubadala is already developing an important project involving biofuels in Brazil, and this is just the beginning of what we can develop together. The two countries have signed a wide
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