The inaugural edition of Brasil Trade Middle East, organised by Apex-Brazil, recorded $52 million in deals either closed during the event or to be consummated within the next 12 months.

There were also around 560 key business meetings held during the three-day trade fair held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City.

The results realised Brasil Trade Middle East’s goal of providing a premier trade platform for Brazilian exporters and their existing and potential Middle Eastern partners, a statement said.

Aside from the solid figures, organisers noted that the event also led to highly productive meetings between Brazilian companies and representatives of countries such as Kenya, Sudan and Iraq.

There were also calls to increase Brazilian exports of halal food in the region, especially as Brazil is one of the top producers of chicken and beef in the world. The South American country is a popular source of halal food items which are certified by Cibal Halal, the Brazilian Islamic Centre for Halal Food Stuff Association.

“The overwhelming response to the event in terms of exhibitor participation, footfall and negotiated deals reflects a growing need for Brazil and the Middle East to engage in focused dialogues on how to improve their strategic position within their bilateral frameworks and across the global markets,” said Mauricio Borges, business director of Apex-Brazil.

Brazil’s exports of food and beverages to the group of countries comprising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman in the first quarter of 2010 totaled more than $552 million, while the exports of construction materials amounted to more than $20 million.

Almost 20 exporters representing 200 companies promoted Brazilian products and services that enjoy high demand in the Arab territories during Brasil Trade Middle East 2010.

The event also included special presentations and one-on-one meetings between Brazilian exporters and Arab investors and buyers, as well as a hosted buyer’s program for key importers in the region.-TradeArabia News Service