Brazil and Arab countries

When Lula was president, he strengthened relations between Brazil and Arab countries. As everybody knows, 10% of its population is from Arab descent which is roughly 19 million people (Brazilian population is 194,946,470). According to the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, based in Sao-Paulo, Brazil exports to all Arab countries generated 15,13 billion US$ in 2011. It represented an increase of 20% on the previous year. And forecast for 2012 are even better. It shows that trade should grow by 10 to 15%.
Brazil knew how to increase its business with a fast growing region (at least some countries, mainly the Gulf states) and this should not stop. Not only Brazilians have various products that Arabs like (coffee and fruits to name just a few) but they are appreciated as people. It also exports one commodity that a lot of Arab people (and others as well) like a lot: football players and coaches. Furthermore, Brazil does not have any problem, political or economic, with any nation of the region. And my guess is that this trend will grow in the coming years. One of the reason is that Brazil will host next Soccer World Cup in 2014 and four years later it is Qatar. As this oil rich country is investing a lot in sports hoping to succeed in being the first Arab country that hosts the World Cup, it is normal that it will expand its relations with Brazil. And that is what is interesting: how to help Brazilians to receive Arab people in the country while respecting their traditions and religion. This is what I am doing and I do think that this will be very successful.