REPORT: Lebanese community in Brazil since 1888

The number of Brazilian citizens who are of Lebanese origin have reached up to 7 million people since their influx in 1888. Nevertheless their role has been pivotal in several fields ranging from politics to economics.             

The Lebanese Consul in Brazil Kabalan Franjieh stressed that the number of Lebanese nationals in Brazil is innumerable, noting that 10% of Brazilian politicians are of Lebanese descent. He pointed that the Governor of Sao Paolo city Fernando Haddad is originally Lebanese.             

Franjieh told LBCI that the majority of the Lebanese nationals in Brazil are businessmen and contribute to the growth of the Brazilian economy, stressing that they were pioneers in introducing trade and industry to the country's economy.          

These Lebanese immigrants are still holding on to their Middle Eastern roots, with the Lebanese Consulate in Brazil working on ensuring adequate services for the Lebanese youth in Brazil, in order for them to be able to visit their homeland, Lebanon.             

However, this initiative has not yet seen any progress from the Lebanese political side, despite the approach of the 2013 parliamentary elections.            

In this context, Franjieh said that the Lebanese authorities express their support only through words, stating that the number of Lebanese nationals registered at the consulate to participate in the elections is very low.                   

Accordingly, Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud will be visiting Brazil in order to introduce Lebanese nationals to a new vision of their country.


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