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| The Ambassador of Kuwait Mr. Hamood Al-Roudhan |
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| On February 23rd, Ambassador Hamood Al-Roudhan hosted Mr. Pedro Paulo Moreira and Rômulo Araújo, from THE GUIDE, for an interview due to the coming National Day of the State of Kuwait. Among other matters, the Ambassador demonstrated to be satisfied with the relationship between his nation and Brazil. |
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Mr. Rômulo Araújo interviews the Ambassador in
the company of the translator of the
Embassy, Mr. Saleh Hassan |
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| THE GUIDE: Mr. Ambassador, on the Kuwaiti National Day in 2004, when we first interviewed your excellency, Brazil and Kuwait kept very good relations. Are the bilateral affairs still good between Brazil and Kuwait ? |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: Yes, they are better every year. In fact, the Brazilian Minister Celso Amorim, of the International Affairs, paid a 2 days visit to Kuwait , which confirms how busy the businesses between Brazil and Kuwait are at the moment. Look in the Kuwaiti newspapers to know more about his visit. The goal of the Minister is to set the grounds for the “ Cúpula América do Sul - Países Árabes ” ( Summit of South America - Arab Countries ) in May. |
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The Ambassador was pleased with the increasing
bilateral relations between Kuwait and Brazil |
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| THE GUIDE: And it is important to point out that if the relations between Brazil and Kuwait are in these fruitful terms, it is certainly due to you, Mr. Ambassador… |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: Oh, no, I am lucky to be here in these great times. My job, as the Ambassador of Kuwait in Brazil , is to promote the good relations between the two nations. And it is important to say that these agreements are only possible because of the cooperation of the other countries in the Persian Gulf . |
| THE GUIDE: How have these strategies influenced on the commercial relations between Brazil and Kuwait |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: The trading between Brazil and Kuwait has significantly increased in the past few years. Mostly thanks to the efforts of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and of the government, as the actions of Minister Forlan. In Kuwait , for instance, Brazil was not much known if not for the football, carnival and the violence. Now you will here Brazilian songs on the radio and find all sorts of Brazilian products in the supermarkets. But we still have a long way to go, I mean, what stops Kuwaiti investors of putting their money in this country of gigantic proportions? |
| THE GUIDE: Are both countries prepared? |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: Exporting is a science, just like the journalism of THE GUIDE. It helps a lot that we have a free economy, open and in continuing growth, thanks to a lot of investments and we must put ourselves into creating commercial relationships with Brazil and other friendly countries. |
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The Ambassador of Kuwait Mr. Hamood Al-Roudhan and
the Director of THE GUIDE, Mr. Pedro Paulo Moreira |
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| THE GUIDE: And in what other areas could the Brazil and Kuwait have success together? |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: We see a lot of potential in tourism, as well. Nowadays it is much more common to see Brazilian in Kuwait , specially businessmen. Now the Kuwaiti tourists, they love to visit Brazil . Our Third Secretary, Mr. Talal Rashed Al Mansour, has just come from a trip to Kuwait . He had been away from Kuwait for three years and then he made this trip back home just a few weeks ago. He told me he was amazed at how Brazil is in evidence in Kuwait. It is a beautiful country, so large and interesting! In the Kuwaiti tourism agencies there are many packages to Brazil. In fact, this is a very good moment for the tourism in Brazil because the cost of living in Europe is too high, so the tourists are turning their eyes to other resorts. |
| THE GUIDE: Have you been to new locations in Brazil this past year, Mr. Ambassador? |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: Not really, unfortunately work has consumed me a little and trips I made were mostly for work. But Brazil astonishes anyone with its beauty. All my family and many relatives and friends came to visit in 2004, and they went back to Kuwait absolutely enchanted with the country, which is very positive. |
| THE GUIDE: Are there any plans for you to go on new trips around our country? |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: I am part of the Arab Council of which the president Is the Ambassador of Palestine. The council is formed by the Embassies of 13 Arab countries here in Brazil and this council intends to travel to all the states in Brazil , in fact we will visit any state that invites us. |
| THE GUIDE: So, considering all that, we could say that the bilateral matters between Kuwait and Brazil are very good at this point… |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: Yes, it s more and more tight, stronger. If Brazil continues this policy of opening the doors to foreign investments, it has everything to win, once it doesn't interfere in international problems between nations and continue neutral. Of course, I also think that Brazil should take better care of the external investors and offer more security to them, but, still, the foreign affairs are very well covered. That reflects on our bilateral deals. Today, Kuwait imports not only food products but minerals, cars, automobile parts, steel… And, as I have said before, there is much more to do. |
| THE GUIDE: You have served in other countries before, Mr. Ambassador… |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: Yes, I have served in several countries, in Cairo , in Thailand … That is the problem of being a diplomat, we spend a lot of time far from home. |
| THE GUIDE: And, based on your experience, what would you recommend the Brazilian government to continue being successful in its international affairs? |
| Ambassador Al-Roudhan: One thing we notice abroad is that this beautiful country is publicized with an extremely negative image to the international community. Brazil must invest on changing its image overseas because that pushes both international investors and tourists. Other than that, Brazil should just strengthen the intentions of opening the market to outside businesses. |
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