"Despite the depreciated dollar, exports grew above the forecast," stated Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Antonio Sarkis Jr. The organization had forecasted a 15% increase in sales to the region in 2007.
"The sales volume to the Arab countries of all sectors, from manufactured to agricultural products, is growing at a stable rate," stated Sarkis. The growth has accompanied the rhythm of Brazilian exports, which rose 16.9% in the first two months of this year when compared to the same months in 2006.
"The Arab market presents demand for products in which Brazil is competitive, mainly in agroindustrial products," stated the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby.
In the first two months of the year, the Arab countries that imported most from Brazil were Egypt, with purchases of US$ 165.6 million, Saudi Arabia, with US$ 160.2 million, the Emirates, with US$ 129.9 million, Algeria, with US$ 54.3 million, and Jordan, with US$ 49.7 million.
The countries that increased their purchases the most, in turn, were Mauritania, with growth of 899% in purchases, to US$ 20.8 million; Jordan, up 436.3% to US$ 49.7 million; Algeria, with growth of 179%; Yemen, up 168% at US$ 23.1 million; and Syria, with growth of 157% and purchases of US$ 45.9 million.
Imports of products from the countries that are members of the League of Arab States grew 22.52% in January and February when compared to the same months in 2006. They reached US$ 814.1 million against US$ 664.4 million in the first two months of last year.
Brazil imports from the Arab countries mainly oil and derivatives. The main Arab supplier to Brazil was Algeria, followed by Saudi Arabia and Libya. In February, Brazilian imports from the League of Arab States grew 31.4%, reaching US$ 378 million. In this case, the main supplier was Saudi Arabia, followed by Algeria and Iraq.
In February alone, Brazilian exports to the Arab countries rose 2.88% when compared to the same month in 2006, reaching US$ 406.7 million. The main buyers were Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Syria.
The bilateral trade between Brazil and the League of Arab States, in the month, was US$ 784.8 million and posted an increase of 14.9%. In the accumulated result from January and February, bilateral trade was US$ 1.7 billion and grew 19% over the same period in 2006.
Anba