Brazilian aviation company signs three deals in Saudi Arabia
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Wednesday (Nov. 29) that it is in the government’s and the country’s interest for Brazilian companies to gain prominence in global trade. He is on a trip to the Middle East and took part in a presentation of Embraer products in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
On the occasion, Embraer signed three cooperation agreements with the Saudi government and enterprises in civil aviation, defense and security, and urban air mobility. These agreements are expected to allow the company to establish various lines of collaboration and joint public and private initiatives, expanding investment opportunities and partnerships with local industry, as well as increasing exports from Brazil.
According to President Lula, commercial alliances with other nations generate development and jobs for Brazil by boosting the productive sector. “My government sees the partnership opportunities between Brazil and Saudi Arabia in the space sector as very positive. It opens up space for long-term cooperation and brings together technological development and environmental sustainability, taking the bilateral trade and investment agenda to a new level,” he declared.
In his speech, the Brazilian leader also highlighted the company’s efforts in applying new technology, as well as Brazil’s industrial progress. The Brazilian company is active on all continents and exports to more than 100 countries and 60 armed forces.
Agreements signed
The first deal signed was a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and partnerships with the Saudi government, represented by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment and GACA, the country’s aeronautical authority.
The second memorandum was with SAMI, the main Saudi defense and security corporation and a subsidiary of the local Public Investment Fund. In a statement, Embraer explained that the agreement seeks to expand the presence of both companies in Saudi Arabia, with the joint objectives of promoting the capabilities of the C-390 Millennium (Embraer’s military aircraft) and providing local support associated with the requirements of the country’s Ministry of Defense.
“SAMI and Embraer will also work to establish a comprehensive maintenance capacity for Embraer aircraft in the country. In this regard, both companies are also targeting the establishment of a Regional MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) Center and a final assembly line for the Embraer C-390, as well as the integration of the mission system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition, Embraer and SAMI will engage in training activities, which will open up new opportunities in the aerospace sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region,” the statement added.
Finally, the third memorandum was signed by Eve Air Mobility, an Embraer subsidiary, and flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and the world. The agreement deals with air taxi operations in Saudi Arabia and a future local electric flight ecosystem.
