Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development-Government of Dubai, is advancing its efforts to boost local exports and trade relations with various organizations and institutions in South America, particularly in the countries of Brazil and Peru.
Following on from its trade missions to high-growth markets in South America in 2010 and 2011, Dubai Exports led a delegation of six UAE companies to Brazil and Peru between May 30 and June 2 this year.
The mission aimed to open new markets for local companies and enable them to explore business prospects and partnerships in the two fast-growing economies.
Both Brazil and Peru enjoy dynamic trade relations with the UAE, with exports from the UAE contributing a major share of the exchange. Between 2010 and 2011, UAE’s total exports to Brazil grew 170.71 percent to reach AED 1.7 billion.
Electrical items, machinery parts, plastics and fertilizers form the major share of UAE’s current exports to Brazil.
Trade between the UAE and Peru has also grown remarkably in recent years. In 2011, net value of UAE exports to Peru was nearly AED 30 million, a growth of 29.62 percent from the previous year.
“Our highly successful government missions to Argentina, Brazil and Chile over the past two years gave us the privilege of discussing various aspects of closer economic cooperation with South America. Those missions have opened several doors of bilateral investment and trade,” said Saed Al-Awadi, CEO, Dubai Exports.
“Many of our governmental and semi-governmental mission partners are now working closely with South American governments on projects of mutual interest. We at Dubai Exports continue to create an environment that will advance export opportunities for our local companies. Our latest mission to Brazil and Peru will further foster our strong trade relations and will open up new and potential sectors for our economies,” Al Awadi added.
Dubai Exports was able to ensure the participation of Dubai-based companies in various services and goods sectors such cargo, logistics, industrial safety, electronic control systems, construction, and hospitality supplies in the delegation. The delegation had representatives from Emirates airline, Emirates SkyCargo, National Fire Fighting Manufacturing FZCO (NAFFCO), Shelfco Metal Industries, Micro Automation Industries and Diamond Line FZE.
Members of the delegation held a series of B2B meetings and discussions with professional and industry associations, apart from potential buyers and importers, in Brazil and Peru. High-level meetings were also conducted with local and federal government entities in the two countries to exchange technical and regulatory information on the intricacies of bilateral trade between UAE and the respective countries.
Michel Alaby, CEO, Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: “I believe that this third successive mission from Dubai Exports (2010 to 2012) shows the importance that Brazil has acquired in the Global Community. The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce is proud to have organized more than 70 meetings between Brazilian Companies and their UAE counterparts which are members of Dubai Exports, as well as high profile meetings between Dubai Exports and its Brazilian counterparts.”
The largest in South America and sixth in the world, Brazil’s economy has undergone a remarkable transition over the last two decades. A strong middle class and sharp focus on reinforcing industrial production, agri-business, technology integration and competitiveness are driving demand for diverse goods and services.
Peru, like Brazil, is also rated one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Abundant natural resources and liberal economic policies are attracting significant interest in the country’s development initiatives.
“The Brazilian Arab Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), the Peruvian Consulate General and its Trade Investment Office in UAE, and our key international partners in South America contributed to the success of the mission. We are also indebted to the UAE embassies in Brazil and Argentina for their full support to the mission and the delegates,” Al-Awadi emphasized.
Dubai Exports building on S. America trade
Dubai Exports building on S. America trade
Saudi Arabia’s construction costs see 1% annual rise in November: GASTAT
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s construction costs rose at a steady pace in November, signaling resilience in the sector as the Kingdom continues to manage rising labor and energy expenses.
The Construction Cost Index climbed to 101.75 points in November, up 1 percent from a year earlier and broadly unchanged from October, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics.
The steady momentum in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector aligns with a broader trend across the Gulf Cooperation Council, as regional economies push to diversify away from hydrocarbons.
In July, real estate consultancy Knight Frank said Saudi Arabia’s construction output value is expected to reach $191 billion by 2029, representing a 29.05 percent increase from 2024, driven by residential development, ongoing giga-projects and rising demand for office space.
In its latest report, GASTAT stated: “The CCI recorded a 1 percent increase in November 2025, maintaining the same growth rate observed in October 2025. This increase is mainly attributed to a 1 percent rise in construction costs for the residential sector and a 1 percent rise in construction costs for the non-residential sector.”
In the residential sector, labor costs rose 1.5 percent year on year in November, while equipment and machinery rental costs increased 1.3 percent over the same period.
Energy prices recorded a sharp increase of 9.9 percent compared with November 2024.
Basic material costs edged up 0.2 percent, driven by a 1.4 percent rise in cement and concrete prices and a 1.1 percent increase in raw material costs.
In the non-residential sector, the Construction Cost Index increased 1 percent year on year in November, mainly due to a 1.2 percent rise in equipment and machinery rental costs.
Labor costs increased 1.1 percent, while energy prices continued their upward trend, rising 9.9 percent over the year.
Basic material costs rose 0.3 percent, reflecting a 2.5 percent increase in wood and carpentry prices and a 1.4 percent rise in raw material costs.
The Construction Cost Index tracks changes in construction input costs across 51 items, with prices collected monthly from 13 regions through field surveys of contractors, engineering offices and construction material suppliers. The base year is 2023, and the index is published monthly.
