São Paulo – The Arab countries import more fashion products than the world average. They also purchase much more foodstuffs and construction material from foreign countries than the average. The data were taken from a survey conducted by the Market Development Department of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, which made new data on the Arab market available on its website last month, including sectors that offer opportunities in each country.
According to Department manager Rodrigo Solano, fashion, foodstuffs and construction are on top of a ranking considering per capita imports of products in each region.
The Arabs spend approximately US$ 54.4 billion, for instance, on fashion products imports each year. Construction material expenditure amounts to US$ 41 billion, and foodstuffs spending totals US$ 75.8 billion. In these three segments, Brazil has a significant output for supplying the Arab market. "In the case of foods, Brazil has potential in commodities, especially maize, soy and its products," says Solano.
The fashion industry includes cosmetics, such as shampoos and creams, and shoes, and the Arab Brazilian Chamber has detected that these are exactly the promising fields in which Brazil may operate as a supplier. "The products, however, must have a concept, a differential," he claims.
With regard to building material, the Department manager underscores that the Brazilian market is hot right now, and that this might pose a problem. Nevertheless, he believes that it is a good strategy for companies to invest in the Arab countries thinking in the long run. "Brazil already holds a larger market share in stones and ceramics, for instance. There is a demand in other fields, though, such as plastic products for construction, such as pipes and connections, metals and tools," says Solano.
He adds that the machinery industry is the one in which Arab countries import the most, value-wise, in absolute terms. The total is US$ 81 billion per year.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber’s site features data on each of the Arab countries, including the most promising fields for Brazil to sell to each of them. Previously, the Website already featured profiles of Arab nations, but now the data has been expanded. The surveys of each country start out with general information, featuring the most relevant features of each, and then proceed with additional information on economy, population and consumption, for instance. The amount of economic datum has increased from six to over 30 for each nation. There is information for 2009 and projections for 2010 and 2011.
The profiles also include information regarding export requirements for each of the countries, including registration needs, contractual issues, customs regimes and legal demands for specific segments.
According to Solano, the new profiles required roughly six months of work and were done using a new, modern and intelligent electronic system that enables various data to be cross-referenced. "The intention is to have businessmen get to know the opportunities, needs and demands of each market in order to be more successful in when negotiating," he finishes off.
View the new profiles of the Arab countries
Site: http://www.ccab.com.br/site/in_analises.php
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
