Brazil and Egypt sign agreements to facilitate meat export and to expand cooperation in science and technology

A protocol that ensures food security, rigorous quality standards and, at the same time, removes bureaucratic limitations for beef, pork, and poultry exports from Brazil to Egypt. And a memorandum that strengthens partnerships, cooperation, and research in the fields of science, technology, and innovation between the two countries.

Signing these agreements was one of the marks of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's official visit to Egypt, which happened this Thursday, 15 February. After the bilateral meetings between Lula and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in Cairo, the leaders of both countries announced the agreements and delivered a statement to the press.

“During this visit, we signed important agreements in the fields of science and technology and agriculture which will contribute to the development of strategic areas,” summarized Lula in his speech. The Brazilian president also mentioned that the implementation of an agreement in the aviation sector will allow direct flights between Brazil and Egypt to enhance bilateral exchange.

The Egyptian President emphasized the intention to enhance relations not only in the agricultural and scientific sectors but also in cultural, economic, and political fields. El-Sisi confirmed that he accepted Lula's invitation for an official visit to Brazil at the end of the year.

MEAT – The protocol for meat export establishes equivalence in meat inspection systems, also known as "pre-listing." This measure will facilitate Brazilian exports of beef, pork, and poultry to Egypt.

“The ‘pre-listing’ system reflects the high level of confidence in the Brazilian sanitary control, particularly in the Federal Inspection System (SIF), whose excellence is recognized by over 150 importing countries. Egypt is one of the six greater importers of Brazilian beef in the world, and leads the import of poultry from our country, which demonstrates the strength and the potential for growth in our already well- established commercial relations. Last year alone, we entered four new markets in Egypt, including cotton,” declared Roberto Perosa, Secretary of Commerce and International Relations at the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Before this agreement, the renewal of Brazilian facilities’ permits for exportation required on-site audits by Egyptian authorities. The process incurred high costs for exporters, burdened ministry auditors, and restricted the number of authorized exporting facilities. Since 2019, around 30 Brazilian facilities were on the “waiting list” for this permit.

Now, the certified facilities around Brazil will be automatically recognized by Egypt, which has the right to visit them whenever deemed pertinent to verify compliance with the requirements.

The formalization of the pre-listing system was made official by the Brazilian Ambassador to Cairo, Paulino Franco de Carvalho Neto, and by the Egypt's Minister of State of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Mohamed Sayed El-Quseir.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY – The Memorandum of Agreement in the field of science, technology and innovation was signed the Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, and by a representative of Egypt's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The text of the agreement is aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation in the sector, and fostering collaboration among businesses, universities, and research institutes, including joint research, development and innovation projects, people exchange programs, and seminars.

It also envisages opportunities for exchange and development for researchers, students, and university staff, joint organization of events, startup exchange, joint calls for the submission of research projects, and information exchange.