Brazil Ambassador to the UAE Interview
Channel: مجلة أموال
Date: 16/12/2020

Fernando Igreja Brazil's Ambassador to the UAE discusses how both countries have been working toward a strategic partnership. 
He adds that since President Bolsonaro's visit in October 2019 and despite the Covid19 pandemic, the relation between both countries have reached stronger levels. Brazil and the United Arab Emirates had agreed to expand trade between the two nations and foster investment fund partnerships in sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, energy and defense. 
He states that Brazil welcomed the Abraham Accords as a factor for security, peace and stability in the region and an important achievement.
In terms of bilateral trade which had reached around 2.9 Billion US Dollars in 2019 it is mainly in food protein such as poultry and meat. The Ambassador highlights that food security is a very important topic for the UAE and that Brazil is a leading partner in achieving these goals.This has led to cross investments in the UAE and in Brazil. 
Igreja metions that there are many opportunities in the infrastructure sector for UAE firms both sovereign and private in Brazil especially with food security as a main topic and enhancing supply chain. He adds that there are already investments from the UAE in this sector in Brazil, for instance, in ports.
The Ambassador mentions that Brazil and the United Arab Emirates want closer ties in the security and defense industry. The desire for stronger ties in the sector was made clear  by representations of the governments and the private industry from Brazil and UAE during the Brazilian Defense Day, which took place online.
Finally with the visa waiver and the number of flights that can increase the Ambassador sees Brazil as a destination of choice for tourism. He also highlights the importance of these exchanges between Brazilians and Emiratis to foster stronger ties.