Qatar's Exports to Brazil Total $ 238,433 Million in 2011

Doha, February 07 (QNA) -The Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Commerce and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) has revealed that the value of the Qatari exports to Brazil totalled US Dlrs.238,433 million in 2011 whereas the total imports surpassed US DRLS. 994,336 million in the same period. According to a press release issued by (Apex-Brasil) and Qatar news agency (QNA) received a copy of it, Qatar in particular is considered a vital and key trade partner to Brazil which is regarded as one of the key latin american countries. Brazilian Foreign Trade Minister will lead a delegation of 47 Brazilian companies who will explore trade and investment opportunities with their counterparts from the GCC during the "Brazilian Trade Mission to Middle East" that will be held on February 15 and 16, 2012 at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai. The event will include a seminar titled "Invest In Brazil", where 15 Brazilian private companies and governmental institutions will present projects in the infrastructure (ports, railroads, energy) and real estate (retail, hotels, logistics) sectors before an audience of potential co-investors and partners. The delegation will also be visiting the headquarters of top potential investors in the UAE. Brazil remains a key trading partner of GCC countries with total exports from Brazil to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE reaching $7.862bn in 2011. GCC exports to Brazil during the same period totalled $4.255bn. Moreover, six major companies from Brazil's civil construction sector will also be part of the mission. The UAE is a particularly important trade partner of Brazil as UAE exports to the South American country amounted to $2.169bn in 2011, while total imports reached over $478.6m. The exploratory talks with GCC countries is part of Brazil's strategy to strengthen its trade relations across the Middle East region, which accounted for $12.276bn in exports and up to $6,141bn in imports from Brazil. Organized by Apex-Brasil in cooperation with IFP Emirates, the trade mission will gather Brazilian companies from the food, beverages and agribusiness; machinery and equipment; and house and civil construction industries to engage in business roundtables with potential local buyers from the UAE and across the GCC. President of Apex-Brasil, Mauricio Borges said that the Middle East has always been a lucrative destination for Brazilian products and services, and a major source of investors and investment opportunities for Brazilian entrepreneurs. "Moreover, with its dynamic economy and strong focus on foreign trade relations, it is clear that the UAE as well as the rest of the GCC will serve as an excellent launch pad to strengthen trade activities between Brazil and the entire Middle East region. Apex-Brasil has therefore organised 'Invest Brazil' to create a dedicated networking avenue for corporate organisations, investors, government institutions and trade organizations from Brazil and the GCC to explore new opportunities for economic cooperation." "Moreover, Brazil has been teeming with investment possibilities in the field of infrastructure and real estate development. UAE and GCC investors can therefore take advantage of the favourable investment climate in Brazil to further diversify their investment portfolio and boost their revenue potential. 'Invest Brazil' will bring together representatives from governmental institutions and leading private companies in Brazil to provide a more detailed and insightful presentation of the new investment possibilities that have emerged in Brazil," added Borges. Apex-Brasil aims to promote exports of Brazilian products and services, contribute to the internationalization of Brazilian companies and attract foreign investment to Brazil. In supporting more than 13,000 Brazilian companies that collectively export to more than 200 markets, Apex-Brasil organises trade events such as Invest Brazil as well as trade missions and business roundtables, and supports the participation of Brazilian companies in major international exhibitions and visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers. (QNA)