Bolsonaro inaugurates Brazil embassy in Bahrain
President Jair Bolsonaro today (Nov. 16) inaugurated in Manama the Brazilian embassy in Bahrain. This is the first time a Brazilian head of state visits the Middle Eastern country.
The two nations have kept diplomatic relations since 1971, but the interests of Brazil had been thus far represented by the Kuwait embassy. The foreign minister believes that the creation of a separate representation in the country will lead to a deepening of trade ties between the two nations.
As it stands today, Bahrain ranks fourth among Middle Eastern countries in commercial transactions with Brazil.
In his inauguration speech at Brazil’s new representation, the president said there is ample room for the expansion of bilateral business. He also stated he was happy with the inauguration of the embassy, which is an important step in bringing the two countries closer together.
Bolsonaro also met with Bahrain King Hamad Isa bin Kalifa. He was welcomed with a lunch at the Royal Palace and signed cooperation agreements in the fields of politics, culture, and sports.
Emirates
On Monday (15), the third day of engagements in the United Arab Emirates, Bolsonaro attended the Invest in Brasil forum, in Dubai, organized by the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (Apex-Brasil), and visited Embraer’s pavilion at air-space event Dubai Airshow and Brazil’s pavilion at Expo 2020.
“We’re really close. Brazil has over 5 million Arabs. If we count descendants, we get nearly 30 million,” he said at the opening of the event. “More than good partners, we’re brothers,” he added.
Also at the forum, the president restated that the criticism Brazil has been dealt regarding the Amazon Forest is not fair, and urged local authorities and investors to visit the region. Ninety percent of the Amazon is still preserved, he pointed out.
Eight ministers from the president’s entourage for this trip through the Middle East also participated in the event.
After the forum, Bolsonaro headed for Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, and the neighboring Dubai, where he attended a hearing with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, gulf countries are crucial not just for exports of Brazilian commodities, but also for the attraction of investment in other areas. In this connection, the presidential visit goes beyond the economic agenda, exploring cooperation possibilities in such fields as defense, science and technology, education, tourism, legal cooperation, and diplomacy.
Before returning to Brazil on Thursday (18), the president should also visit Qatar.
