Upswing in ties with Oman: Brazilian minister

Date

8/11/2016 5:55:53 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat-

Food in Oman in the near future may have more of a Brazilian connection. If it's not more imports from Brazil, it will be more food grown locally with Brazilian expertise. Ties between the two countries are growing, and agriculture is seen as a main area of cooperation.

On August 13, a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries will grant visa-free travel for diplomats and officials.

'Brazil has one of the most competitive agri-business sectors in the world,' said Cristina Ferraz, Minister at the Brazilian Embassy in Muscat, adding

'There is extraordinary growth potential in areas of mutual interest such as food security, minerals and defence.'

Oman is seeking to guarantee its future food security, and Brazil is a breadbasket for meat and produce as well as soy and sugar.

But most important is its technical expertise.

Brazil has been able to produce crops in the acidic soil of its central region and desert conditions of the northeast.

That's the type of help that could be applied to Oman's Batinah coast, for example.

Internationally, Brazil has also worked with Japan to produce crops in Mozambique. These types of partnerships could be applied in Oman.

Brazil already supplies 40 per cent of Oman's demand for chicken through the Brazilian company Sadia (BRF), according to Cristina, and a Brazilian delegation is expected to showcase food products in Oman in October this year.

The latest MoU follows a February visit to Brazil by H E Dr Ali bin Masoud bin Ali al Sunaidy, Oman's Minister of Commerce and Industry, as part of

Oman's delegation at the first meeting of the Brazil-Oman Bilateral Joint Commission.

There, a separate MoU was signed between the Brazilian foreign ministry and Ithraa on promoting investments.

The two countries are also negotiating a separate agreement for business and tourist visas, said Cristina. Brazil and Oman established relations in 1974 but it was only in 2008 that Brazil opened its embassy in Oman.

But officials have been making up for lost time. Since then there have been eight high-level visits between the two countries. Brazil's most prominent presence in Oman is the metals company Vale, which operates in the Port of Sohar.

Brazilians also work in Oman in companies such as the Petroleum Development Oman and Oman Air, and in sports fields. There are around 300

Brazilians in Oman, according to the Brazilian embassy.

Cristina credits the pick-up in activity to Brazil's former president, Lula da Silva, who saw an opportunity for Brazil to get closer to the Arab world.
'He was a man of vision,' she said.

Brazil's also in a unique position because it has a notable diaspora of Lebanese and Syrians who have settled there and become citizens.

Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates 7-10mn Brazilians are of Lebanese descent. One of them is the current interim president, Michel Temer.

Brazil has its own Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. They were among the officials who met the Omani commerce and industry minister H E Dr Sunaidy during his visit to Brazil last February.

And now future cooperation has been solidified through the establishment of the joint commission.

After the commission's first meeting earlier this year, officials expect the next one to be held in Oman in 2017. 'Brazil and Oman share common values and cultural traditions and entertain a strategic partnership,' said Cristina.

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