São Paulo – The Brazilian Association of Architecture Firms (Asbea) chose the Middle East as one of the main markets to be explored in the second phase of the project developed in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), to be renewed in the near future.
In the region, the demand for business should be concentrated in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar should host the Football World Cup in 2022 and is seeking greater attraction of international events. Saudi is the main economy in the Arab world and the Emirates is the main construction sector hub in the region.
According to project manager Carina de Carvalho, the priority markets – which also include countries like Peru, Colombia, Panama and India – were selected by the associates themselves. There are 115 architecture companies participating in the agreement.
"It is a demanding market, which includes many North American, Australian and British offices. But there is great space," said Carina, regarding the organisation’s participation in the Big 5 Show, in 2009. Big 5 is the main fair in the building sector in the region and takes place in Dubai.
According to her, Asbea plans to participate in business events in the three Arab countries in 2011/2012. Previously, however, the organisation and Apex are going to try to train companies so that they may operate in consortia. The idea is to offer complete projects, from external building architecture to engineering, internal design and even landscaping.
"The largest offices in the world work like that," said Carina. "And the most demanding markets need complete solutions," she added.
The project for commercial promotion began in May 2009. Since then, according to Carina, 10 companies in the program have won international awards and at least five closed contracts abroad.
*Translated by Mark Ament
