Brazil aims at a promising future in the middle east as centrorochas positions the stone sector at the core of its strategy

During a meeting in Dubai, the association presented its action plan to expand the presence of Brazilian natural stones in the Middle East, highlighting the creation of a local logistics hub.

With its sights set on the future, Brazil’s natural stone sector is increasingly engaging with markets beyond the traditional axis. From October 2 to 4, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) participated in the Meeting with SECOMs, SECTECs, and Agricultural Attachés from the Middle East and India, held in Dubai as part of a program organized by ApexBrasil and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Represented by Vice President Fábio Cruz, Centrorochas actively contributed to discussions involving diplomatic authorities, trade representatives from Brazilian embassies, and business leaders, including ApexBrasil President Jorge Viana, Brazil’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Sidney Leon, and the Director of Trade Promotion and Investments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Marcus Vinicius Pinta Gama.

Centrorochas’ presence at the event reaffirmed the strategic importance of the region for the sector, especially in light of the challenges posed by U.S. tariffs. The agenda included debates on expanding Brazil’s footprint in Arab and Indian markets, with a special focus on the Middle East as both a key commercial destination and an investment hub for Brazil.

One key point presented by Centrorochas on the first day was the development of a logistics hub in the United Arab Emirates to facilitate the storage, distribution, and promotion of Brazilian natural stones in the Middle East. Still in its initial planning stage, the initiative aims to establish a structured and continuous commercial presence in the region.

The association also highlighted the recent announcement of MSC’s new direct shipping route between Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi, widely praised by diplomatic authorities for its potential to reduce logistical bottlenecks and solidify the UAE’s status as a regional distribution hub.

The meeting further underscored the urgency of expanding Brazil’s role in the region, supported by economic projections: Goldman Sachs studies indicate that countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will rank among the world’s largest economies within the next five decades. In this context, the strategic positioning of Brazilian natural stones gains even greater relevance.

Diplomacy as a Foundation for Business

Centrorochas’ representative also addressed practical needs, such as SECOMs’ support in mapping the multilayered decision-making chain within the construction sector in the region, which requires a segmented approach. The importance of market intelligence and commercial diplomacy was emphasized as essential steps in any internationalization process.

Ongoing Missions

The association took the opportunity to share its upcoming agenda for November in the region, which includes:

• Business roundtable in Dubai
• Participation in Big 5 Global
• Institutional visit to Abu Dhabi Port
• Prospective mission in Saudi Arabia

The meeting reaffirmed the vision that integrating diplomacy, logistics, and market intelligence is indispensable to boosting Brazil’s competitiveness in the region. For the natural stone sector, this means transforming opportunities into a lasting and effective presence.