Following Brazils action to classify the issuance of the international zoo sanitary certification as an important public service in line with its new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) safety measures, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) currently assured that it is observing any development that may have an effect on the trade activities between the country and the Arab states in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rubens Hannun, President of Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, stated that To assist to make sure smooth flow of goods in spite of the difficulties brought about by COVID-19, we have already been in touch with relevant authorities in Brazil and Arab countries - and we will continue to do so in the upcoming months -to ascertain and lower any potential effect of the disease on trade flows, particularly concerning major export items.

Via our collaboration, we focus to look out possible solutions to present problems and those that may arise as we proceed to navigate by this situation. We assure everyone concerned that all parties have been working together to further strengthen trade mechanisms and reaffirm our commitment to overcome the outbreak, he stated.

ABCC made the statement after Brazils Ministry of Agriculture had announced as essential public services all activities associated to zoo sanitary, phytosanitary and plant pest and animal disease prevention, control, and eradication as part of the countrys COVID-19 measures.

Meanwhile, the poultry, egg, and pork industries in Brazil have assured constant food exports to the Arab world amid the stringent measures being placed by the government to contain the spread of the disease. BRF, the biggest poultry exporting company in the world and which owns a processing plant in Abu Dhabi, guaranteed uninterrupted shipment of its products to its partners in the region while complying with related health safety policies and regulations.

Brazils total trade with the Arab world has more than doubled over the previous 10 years, with both parties expressing their dedication to strengthening further their trade relations in the coming years.