São Paulo – The participation of Arab companies in the stands of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce at the supermarket sector APAS Show 2023 rendered over 1,000 trade meetings and generated USD 9 million in business expectations for the next 12 months. The space destined for the Arabs this year was the largest ever seen at the event, with 214 square meters split across three pavilions. Twenty-seven Arab companies participated. Of these, 25 were from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia, and two were from Brazil and have operations in the region. Delegations from Palestine and Libya also came.
This Friday (19) morning, at the ABCC’s headquarters, in a meeting with the Arab delegations that came to the APAS Show, an informal balance of the event, considered the biggest in the food and beverage sector in the Americas and the world’s-largest supermarket show, was made.
“I am thrilled to inform you the partnership between your companies and the ABCC resulted in a memorable achievement: We formed the biggest Arab delegation in the show’s history, with the participation of around 30 companies,” said ABCC president Osmar Chohfi at the meeting.
The food and beverage sector is maintaining its role as a fundamental part of the solid trade ties between Brazil and the Arab nations. Last year, Brazil imported USD 12.8 billion in foodstuffs and beverages, of which USD 117.7 million came from the Arab world.
“Based on the trade history and results obtained during APAS, we noticed the food exporters of the region see Brazil as a prosperous field for foods such as frozen sardines, oranges, olives, olive oil, garlic, and onion, among many others,” said Chohfi.
The secretary-general & CEO of the organization, Tamer Mansour; the ABCC director and honorary consul of Jordan to São Paulo, Mustapha Abdouni; and Arab businesspeople also attended the event. The meeting included presentations by the ABCC’s Marketing & Content director, Silvana Gomes; senior International Business analyst Leonardo Machado; Market Intelligence manager Marcus Vinícius; and Digital Marketing coordinator Bruno Gecys de Sá.
ABCC directors
The ABCC directors visited APAS Show and talked to the Arab entrepreneurs. In an interview with ANBA, they highlighted the importance of the institution’s work in promoting the region’s brands in the Brazilian market.
“I was delighted with the evolution of Arab presence at the APAS Show. I saw many business opportunities with the products, for instance, the possibility of increasing imports of Egyptian oils and specialty dates. At shows like this one, the business journey and eye contact build even more trust between Brazil and the Arab world,” said director Renata Maron.
The institution’s Administrative vice-president, Daniel Hannun, highlighted the size of the ABCC’s participation in this edition, with three stands and almost 30 companies exhibiting in the spaces, which, according to him, demonstrates the interest of the Arab world. “This interest is the result of the ABCC’s staff work to present the potential of the Brazilian market to Arab companies,” said Hannun, also highlighting the flow of people and companies at the event interested in learning about the products showcased by the Arabs.
Director Claudia Yazigi Haddad claimed she satisfied Arab exhibitors, packed pavilions, a fantastic event organization, and stunning stands designed by the ABCC. “Everyone was very excited about the return of movement; I think it was delightful for exhibitors to see so much movement,” she said about the return of the flow after the years of the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlighted the movement attracted by Arab products like Saudi soft drinks and the quality of dates and chocolates presented.
“I would like to pass on to the team responsible for organizing the stands at the APAS Show 2023 the unanimous appraisal from the Arab exhibitors on the tireless work of all, which delivered the necessary conditions for direct contact with Brazilian importers. In addition, everyone was pleased with the number of contacts made, which will certainly yield good business for everyone,” said director Mohamad Abdouni Neto.
Director William Atui highlighted the expansion of the show, with a range of actions in new sectors, and the appreciation by event heads of the work conducted by the ABCC. He recalled during the show’s opening breakfast, the general director of APAS, Carlos Correa, thanked the ABCC for its partnership and participation in the event. Atui said he noticed the presence of unique Arab products at the fair, such as soft drinks, and highlighted the representation agreements the companies signed to sell in Brazil.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
