São Paulo – Buyers from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Qatar are among the 24 importers from 15 countries to participate in business roundtables at the Hospitalar, a medical and hospital product fair to take place from June 2nd to 5th, at the Expo Center Norte, in São Paulo. The meetings, which begin on Wednesday (03), should generate US$ 9 million in business over the next 12 months, according to expectations by the Brazilian Association of the Industry of Medical, Dental, Hospital and Laboratory Articles and Equipment (Abimo).
The largest delegation is coming from Saudi Arabia, including four companies. "From the Arab countries, Saudi is among the main importers [of medical and hospital equipment] from Brazil," said the executive director at Abimo, Hely Maestrello. According to him, Brazilian sector exports to the Arab world have been growing each year, mainly after participation in fairs in Dubai.
Last year, Brazilian exports of medical and hospital and dentistry products totalled around US$ 10 million, representing growth of 26.65% over 2007. "Since 2003, when we went on a mission to Saudi Arabia, we have opened the market and are maintaining it," said Maestrello.
This is the eighth edition of the roundtables promoted by the Abimo in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil). There should be 50 Brazilian companies and 600 meetings over three days, exceeding the 543 of last year. According to Maestrello, the meetings aim at fostering sector exports by bringing offer and demand together, uniting the common interests of businessmen.
Apart from the Arabs, importers from India, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, Russia and Canada. "Most do not yet import from Brazil. The idea is for them to learn about Brazilian products," said Maestrello.
According to the president at Abimo, Franco Pallamolla, in a press statement disclosed by the organisation, one of the strategies to overcome the international crisis is the consolidation of Brazilian products in new destinations, as well as showing Brazil as an important player in this sector.
Egyptians
The Hospitalar fair should also generate business for exporters from the Arab world. Egyptian companies should have a stand at the event to show their products. Among them is Enteplin, a maker of disposable medical components, which is participating in the fair for the third time. Another Egyptian company returning to the event is Euromed for Medical Industries, a maker of products for anaesthetics and surgery. The companies in the Arab country are being sponsored by the Association of Egyptian Exporters (Expolink).
Fair
The 16th edition of Hospitalar should have over 1,000 exhibitors and should receive visitors from over 70 countries. Last year, the fair received 78,000 professionals interested in products, equipment, services and technology for hospitals, laboratories, chemists, clinics and doctor’s offices.
Service
Hospitalar
Date: June 2nd to 5th
Site: Expo Center Norte
Address: Rua José Bernardo Pinto, 333 – Vila Guilherme – São Paulo
Time: from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Tel.: (+55 11) 3897-6199
*Translated by Mark Ament
