RIYADH: Arab countries imported $226.31 million worth of machinery last year from Brazil, compared to $211.43 million in 2014, registering a seven per cent growth, according to recent statistics. The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) said the export of construction items, on the other hand, remained stable at $41.34 million last year.
The growing volume of outbound trade demonstrated an increasing demand for Brazilian products in the Arab world, reflecting flourishing bilateral ties between the region and the South American country.
The top three importers of Brazilian machinery included Egypt at $63.82 million, Saudi Arabia at $56.23 million, and the UAE at $50.97 million. At $226 million, ‘Self Propelled Bulldozers and Angledozers, Track Laying’ was the most traded commodity from Brazil to the Arab region, followed by ‘Self-Propelled Front-End Shovel Loaders’ at $44.78 million. Other top selling products included graders and levellers, compressors for refrigerating equipment, compression-ignition internal comb piston engines.
Dr Michel Alaby, secretary general and chief executive officer, ABCC, said: “The robust trade of machinery and construction goods from Brazil to the Arab World reinforces growing popularity of high quality Brazilian products in the regional markets.
“Arab countries have shared extremely amicable business relations with Brazil and have contributed significantly to local economy by regularly exporting Brazilian products and the demand will continue in the mid- and long-term in light booming Arab construction sector.
“Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has been pivotal in bridging the gap between Arab and Brazilian traders by bringing them together through business meets, conferences, and exhibitions and offering them several opportunities to interact, network and explore lucrative possibilities.”
The UAE leads the Arab region in importing construction goods from Brazil at $15.25 million, followed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt at $7.69 million and $7.15 million, respectively.
Among the most exported items were plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood at $41.34 million and granite or stone artwork at $12.37 million. Other top selling construction products from Brazil to Arab Nations included glazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth tiles, etc, and ‘appliances for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats, or the likes.’
