São Paulo, March 30, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - From April 26-28 the city of São Paulo will host a Tunisian business cycle, with events sponsored by the Tunisian Embassy in Brasília, the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), and the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp). The objective will be to promote the expansion of trade relations between that Arab country and Brazil and to foster collaboration between industries in the two countries.

According to the Tunisian Ambassador in Brasília, Hassine Bouzid, 15 entrepreneurs, representing sectors of industry and agriculture, food, electric products, leather goods, and footware, will come from his country to attend the cycle.

Last year Brazil exported the equivalent of US$ 56.3 million to Tunisia. The chief export products were sugar, soybean oil, vehicle frames with motors, tractors, and coffee.

On the other hand, Brazil imported the equivalent of US$ 42.3 million from the North African country. The bulk of imports was fertilizers.

According to the Ambassador, Tunisia and the European Union have a free trade agreement that will allow Brazilian industries to establish themselves in Tunisia to produce for the European market without being subject to surtaxes and import quotas. This may be of interest to Brazil.

Translator: David Silberstein