The UAE-Brazil Business Council has held its first meeting in Sao Paulo on the sidelines of the G20 Business Summit (B20).
The initiative aims to enhance the economic cooperation between the UAE and Brazil. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Saleh Ahmed Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Brazil, Juma Al Kait, and Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade at the Ministry of Economy, attended the meeting.
A high-level UAE delegation including senior officials and business leaders, and some representatives from Brazil’s top companies were also present.
The inaugural meeting focused on strengthening UAE-Brazil trade and investment by unlocking key avenues for collaboration across various sectors such as clean energy, manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, and technology.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr Mohamed Asaad Taher, Head of Business Development (MENA) at Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – MASDAR, representing the UAE side, and Dr. Jefferson de Oliveira Gomes, Director of Technology and Innovation at Confederacao Nacional da Industria (CNI), representing Brazil.
They emphasized the UAE’s strategic advantages as a thriving business hub and commercial gateway to Asia and Africa, with a focus on its cutting-edge infrastructure, and investor-friendly regulatory environment that foster growth and cross-border expansion.
By aligning on mutual priorities, the council seeks to form strategic partnerships to drive trade flows, stimulate investment, and unlock mutually beneficial opportunities for economic cooperation.
Dr Taher stated that, “In establishing the UAE- Brazil Business Council, we are building a vital platform for deepening economic ties and unlocking new opportunities for collaboration in strategically important sectors. I commend the council members for their commitment to expanding cooperation and creating valuable business prospects in both the UAE and Brazil. We look forward to working closely with our Brazilian partners to achieve impactful results that will strengthen trade and create mutual investment opportunities.”
Dr. Jefferson de Oliveira Gomes Director of Technology and Innovation – Confederacao Nacional da Industria (CNI)
“The council’s inaugural meeting marks a renewed commitment to the expanding strategic partnership between the UAE and Brazil across several sectors of mutual interest. Through the council, we aim to strengthen trade and investment integration and establish new bridges of cooperation, especially in areas where both countries hold a strong competitive advantage.”
The UAE-Brazil Business Council meeting concluded with a commitment to regular, strategic meetings to monitor the implementation of joint initiatives and enhance economic ties. Key outcomes highlighted harnessing emerging opportunities to drive sustainable growth and expand market reach for businesses across both nations.
Trade relations between the UAE and Brazil have witnessed significant growth in recent years. Non-oil bilateral trade reached $2.64 billion in the first half of 2024, marking an 18.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 and 53.9 percent growth compared to 2019.
Brazil is now the UAE’s largest trading partner in Latin America and second in the Americas, following the United States. The UAE delegation at the Business Council included a total of 12 representatives from government entities and private sector companies covering high-growth fields such as investment, renewable energy, logistics, special economic zones, defense, sports, and food production.
