São Paulo – The Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) should make use of the Confederations Cup, an event prior to the 2014 World Cup, to promote Brazil and the products made here. From the 15th to the 30th of June, when the tournament is promoted, the agency should promote the Cup Project, to bring potential buyers of Brazilian products to the country to view matches in a relations marketing project to generate over US$ 1 billion in business for the country.
Apex already promotes similar actions at Carnival and for the Brazilian Formula Indy race, which is promoted in São Paulo and which, this year, should take place on May 4th and 5th. According to the coordinator of the Apex Brazil Cup Project, Ricardo Santana, the Confederations Cup is an attraction for potential foreign businessmen.
“We have an unequalled opportunity to organize business platforms in the scope of the Confederations Cup. Taking guests to view a football match is VIP treatment offered while visiting Brazil; they will feel special,” said Santana. This “differential” treatment, said the coordinator of the Cup project, may have even better results for the Arab clients. “We know that with the Arabs, relations between people are more important than between companies,” he said.
Over 1,000 businessmen from 63 countries and 300 local businessmen have already confirmed presence in the project, but the list may grow as the visitors are chosen by Apex Brasil partner associations, like the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. Apex will take the businessmen to the matches after promoting a business agenda. The Apex partner institutions should also promote meetings of foreign businessmen with potential Brazilian suppliers.
According to the CEO at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby, the institution invited businessmen from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to visit the country during the Confederations Cup. “This project may generate business as potential clients and sellers will be face to face. The guests will promote technical visits to factories, companies and shops in Brazil,” said Alaby.
Santana stated that the Cup Project should generate more than the US$ 1.1 billion forecasted for the 2012 Formula Indy. The Cup Project should bring businessmen from sectors like handicraft, the medical and hospital sector, house and construction, fashion, machinery and equipment, creative economy and health services. In stadiums, foreign visitors will be at an Apex area with other marketing activities. “We want to make use of activities that leap to the eyes of guests,” said Santana.
*Translated by Mark Ament
