São Paulo – Located in the city of Serra, in the state of Espírito Santo, Mibasa exports granite sheets to Egypt, Morocco, Libya and the United Arab Emirates. Its leading importers are the United States and Canada, but the Arab countries came up as an important option in order to escape the crisis that hit the North American market.
“When the crisis started in the American market, granite companies began seeking other options, among them Latin America and the Arab market,” explains Elcione Araújo Júnior, who is in charge of exports at Mibasa. He explains that the granite sheets can be used in building facades, workbenches, floors, sinks, among other applications.
According to him, contact with the Arabs was established at trade fairs in the cities of Cachoeiro do Itapermirim and Vitória, as well as referrals from other clients.
Presently, the Arab countries account for less than 5% of the company’s foreign sales, and Egypt is the leading Arab buyer.
According to Araújo, the main advantage of selling to the Arabs is the market’s liquidity. “The Arabs are excellent negotiators, perhaps the best. They are usually very price-sensitive, but they pay on the spot. They have got money, they will not skip out on you. And if you have items in stock that are gathering dust, they will buy them if you set a reasonable price.”
Contact
Mibasa
e-mail: elcionejunior@clickgranite.net
Tel: (+55 27) 3348 0140
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
