CORPORATE INTELLIGENCE AFRICA ISSUE 0024 | Page 13

He called on Kenya and other African countries to embrace ties with Brazil, which has heavily invested in agricultural research for the past 50 years and keen on promoting value addition. The secret behind Brazil success in agricultural sector is the mechanisation of technology to serve small scale, medium scale and large scale farmers,” he said. Mr Kaberia said increasing numbers of Brazilians trooping into Kenya as tourists is a reflection that the two countries are ready for partnership. The exhibition hosted at a Nairobi hotel provided an opportunity for exhibitors and regional investors to understand both Brazilian and region’s markets. Ms Marcela said peaceful national elections in March this year and a smooth transition of power renewed her country’s trading confidence in Kenya. “This is a great opportunity for business people from Brazil and the Eastern African countries to know more about each other’s needs and potentialities,” she said at the opening of the EXPO. The envoy noted that by proper understanding of each other, the partners were bound to collaborate in overcoming common challenges “to our development as sovereign nations” on top of making good business in agriculture and trade sectors. Mr Kaberia hinted that the country has outlined a unique strategy compared with other Africa trade partners and would concentrate on training Africa on simple ways to transform agricultural sector into a food basket by using modern technology. “The more we have high end tourists, the more we market Kenya and I am pleased that currently tourists from Brazil are coming into the country in thousands as opposed to when they could only come in hundreds before Kenya opened its embassy in the country in 2006,” he said. He revealed that Brazil in its quest to dominate Kenya and other African countries has spotted the youth as major players in projects that will help foster trade relations between Brazil and Africa. “Kenyan and Brazilian Ministries of Agriculture Brazil last year signed a youth mechanisation programme to boost the founded partnership between the two countries,” he said.

Mr Kaberia revealed that Brazilian government has finalised plans that would see the construction of modern agriculture centres in the 47 counties in the country where young people will be trained on the modern farming. “The centres will be operational from next year and a part from training, young people shall also access extension services and modern farming equipment,” he added. The envoy observed that there is need to focus on training the youth in Kenya to exploit available opportunities in all sectors to reverse dependence on formal employment. And Ms Marcela expressed optimism that the founded partnership between Kenya and her country will be boosted by planned direct flights to Brazil by Kenya Airways. “We have reached an agreement that will see Kenya Airways start flying straight to Brazil and as you can see, this is major step in promoting partnership between the two countries,” she added. Currently, Ethiopian Airline is the only airline in the region that offers direct flights to Brazil, and Kenya Airways entry into the market is an indicator of growing interest among investors in the two regions. Brazafric Enterprises Ltd managing director Marcos Brandalise said the organisers of the events settled on Nairobi due to its regional commercial hub status. Mr Brandalise was, however, quick to point out that future exhibition will be hosted by other countries in the region to explore available opportunities in the region.

“This is a great opportunity for business people from Brazil and the Eastern African countries to know more about each other’s needs and potentialities,”

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