São Paulo – The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Brazil, Ali Abdullah Omer Bahitham (pictured above), was honored with the Order of Rio Branco grand cross commendation by the Brazilian government. The honor was given individually to the Saudi diplomat on September 13, at the Itamaraty Palace, seat of the Brazilian chancellery in Brasília, on the occasion of the end of Bahitham’s duties in the country, according to information from the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).
“Ambassador Bahitham, in over three years ahead of the Saudi Arabian embassy to Brasilia, has repeatedly demonstrated his dedication in favor of strengthening bilateral relations, increasing trade, and expanding Saudi investments in Brazil,” said a statement by the MRE to the ANBA team. He received the order from ambassador Kenneth Nóbrega, secretary for the Middle East, Europe, and Africa of the MRE.
“It is an honor to receive this decoration from the government of Brazil and the Grand Master of the Order, His Excellency President Jair Bolsonaro, and the Chancellor of the order, His Excellency Minister Carlos Alberto França. I feel grateful for this recognition as it represents the long-standing relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Brazil, a relationship of mutual respect and shared gratitude. On a personal note, the honor serves as a culmination of our collective efforts during my years representing the Kingdom in Brazil,” Bahitham told ANBA.
In a written interview with ANBA, the ambassador also said the tribute is the result of the dedication as an Embassy representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Brazil, empowered by the Saudi government and the leadership to successfully maintain and solidify ties. “Throughout my years in Brazil, I have had the chance to work closely with the Brazilian government to pursue an already empowered relationship between the Kingdom and Brazil,” he said.
In information disclosed to ANBA, the MRE highlighted the events of Bahitham’s period at the head of the embassy. The ministry reported during his duties, President Jair Bolsonaro visited Riyadh in October 2019, and the first visit by a Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to Brazil occurred in November last year, in addition to several high-level bilateral visits.
To the ANBA team, Bahitham highlighted the official visit of President Jair Bolsonaro to his country as one of the great achievements of the Brazil-Saudi Arabia relationship during his period as ambassador to Brasília. The diplomat also recalled President Jair Bolsonaro’s visit to the Ambassador residence in Brasilia in October last year, celebrating the 53 years of relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Brazil. He also highlighted the facilitation and organization of official visits in both countries.
“Our representation as Embassy empowered by our Government, Leadership, and the Brazilian Government led to the continued development in the relationship between both countries and the noticeable increase in trade relations between the Kingdom and Brazil in the years 2021 and 2022,” said Bahitham. According to data from the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), Brazil and Saudi Arabia had a trade flow of USD 4.9 billion last year, USD 1.5 billion above the previous year. From January to August 2022, trade between the countries is already well above last year’s total, with USD 5.3 billion.
Ambassador Bahitham concluded his mission to Brazil this September. “This great journey has come to an end. I had the privilege to spend four years as the ambassador in Brazil,” he told ANBA. He left the post of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Brazil and non-resident ambassador to Bolivia and Ecuador.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
