Big 5: Brazil drums up trade samba in region

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A welcome dose of Brazilian flair is getting set to shimmy its way into The Big 5 this year with the presence of seven Brazilian companies.

These are ALM Brazil International, Astra, Duratex, Itagres-Porcellanati, Metallurgical Industry Phoenix, Tropical Roccs and MZ Artes, who have joined hands with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, APEX, to set up a pavilion covering 235m² at the trade event.

Brazilian exports of ceramic products to the Arab world have increased by some 35%.  From January to September 2011, sales reached $5.3m, up from $ 3.9m in the same period of 2010.

“The trade show has proven to be an excellent opportunity for Brazilian companies interested in expanding their business in this sector.

“We know that Emirati businessmen are interested in Brazil and that there is also much commitment from the economic sector in promoting Dubai as a commercial hub for neighboring markets, with the potential to reach 1.3m

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people, as well as their infrastructure and financial system,” said Michel Alaby, general director of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.

As well as the trade fair, the group will also have the opportunity to participate in the Emirates Exporters Forum on 23 November, also in Dubai, when entrepreneurs will have the chance to talk about trading opportunities with Brazil.

Since its formation, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has participated for each of the past eight years. It has introduced more than 100 companies to the Arab market, including Antigua in ceramics, trading company Braseco and Braminas in the mining sector.

The mission of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1952, is to strengthen commercial ties between Brazil and the Arab countries, and increase cultural and tourism exchange between Arabs and Brazilians.

The Arab Chamber offers many services, such as document certification, market information and translation, as well as organising events, workshops and courses.

It also offers the Space for Commercial Knowledge, a reference centre for researching relations between Brazil and the Arab nations.

The entity represents 22 Arab countries – Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar, Djibouti, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Comoro Islands, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia – and, of course, Brazil, explained Alaby.

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