The delegation, led by minister Miguel Jorge of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, will be traveling to Libya, Algeria and Morocco between January 24th and 30th, 2009.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce is supporting the ministry in selecting the companies and should send a representative to accompany the mission. The main objective of the event is to promote trade and investment between both regions, as well as exploring possibilities for cooperation between the productive sectors in Brazil and North Africa.
"North Africa is a market with great potential and trade (with Brazil) has grown significantly in recent years," said Arab Brazilian Chamber president Antônio Sarkis Jr.
Over the last three years, from January to November, bilateral trade between Brazil and Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya has grown 80%, rising from US$ 3.68 billion in 2006 to US$ 6.63 billion this year.
Brazilian exports to the four countries from January to November totaled US$ 1.5 billion, which represented an increase of 27.8% over the same period last year. The main products shipped were sugars, meats, ores, fats and animal or vegetable oils.
On the other hand, Brazilian imports up to November grew 48% over the first 11 months of 2007, rising from US$ 3.4 billion to US$ 5 billion. Fossil fuels, fertilizers, chemical products and sulphur were the main products exported by these countries to Brazil.
According to Sarkis, North Africa is undergoing a great process of industrialization and investment, which generates opportunities for Brazilian companies. "Apart from that, they are countries with a good level of schooling, as they have invested much in education in recent years, and they currently have very qualified labour," he said.
The economies of these countries have presented rates of growth of over 5%, higher than the global average. Privatization and the opening of specific sectors to foreign capital are also positive factors for the companies to invest in the region.
According to the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby, the mission to North Africa is also an opportunity to seek strategic partnerships. "Sectors like chicken, building material, medical and hospital equipment, agricultural products, auto parts and agricultural food products are fundamental," said Alaby.
According to the Ministry of Development, transportation will be in a Brazilian Air Force aircraft, eliminating expenses with tickets. On the other hand, companies participating will have to cover housing and feeding expenses of their representatives, and also production costs of promotional material and any other material of private interest.
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