Brazil receives Saudi Minister and seeks rapprochement with Arab countries

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “This visit occurs in a context of deepening high-level contacts between the Brazilian government and Arab countries and the Persian Gulf in particular,” Minister França said, in reference to President Jair Bolsonaro’s recent tour of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.

According to the Brazilian Minister, various aspects of the trade relationship with Saudi Arabia were discussed at the meeting, mainly the areas of food and hydrocarbons.

The main products exported by Brazil to Saudi Arabia are poultry and beef, sugar, corn and soybeans, worth US$1.8 billion in 2020.

On the other hand, Brazilian imports from Saudi Arabia are mainly hydrocarbons and fertilizers, which amounted to US$1.5 billion last year.

Bin Farhan agreed with França that this exchange can be substantially increased and said that Brazil and Saudi Arabia are not yet “exploiting” the full potential of their economies in the trade area.

In this respect, the two countries agreed to intensify contacts for a closer relationship in the areas of defense, science and technology, as well as to strengthen discussions to boost mutual investments.

On the political front, the Saudi Minister expressed his hope that Brazil “will continue to contribute to the promotion of peace” in the Middle East, which, according to França, is among its foreign policy goals.

The Brazilian Foreign Minister said that this will be one of his country’s main lines of action in the UN Security Council, where it will hold a seat as a non-permanent member in the 2022-2023 period, and during which it will maintain “a fluid dialogue” with Arab countries.

With information from Infobae