Abu Dhabi – The Brazilian presence at the Idex, a fair in the defence sector that is taking place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, this week, has doubled in comparison to the previous edition, in 2007, when just two companies participated in the event in the Brazilian stand. "The fair has a very interesting potential for Brazilian companies. More companies will certainly come in the next edition, said Carlos Afonso Gambôa, executive vice president of the Brazilian Defence and Security Industries Association (Abimde). Four companies from Brazil are at the event, against just two in the previous edition.
Idex, which takes place every two years, is at its 9th edition and includes the participation of over 900 companies from 48 countries, brought together in a space of 55,000 square metres. According to Gambôa, the fair has been growing with each edition and Abimde, in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), is working to help promote the defence sector industry.
Of the 300 Brazilian industries in the defence sector, just 10% shipped their products to the foreign market and, of this total, only 50% export regularly. "Many companies do not export because they do not know how easy it is to export," said the vice president. According to him, the sector in Brazil is returning to growth. In the 1980s Brazil was among the 10 main exporters and, now, the country is seeking new markets. "And the markets of Asia and the Middle East are very attractive," he added.
According to him, the country has sectors that may easily compete on the foreign market. One example is that of the Brazilian Cartridge Company (CBC), which is participating in the fair in Abu Dhabi for the second time. The company also already exports to another 80 countries, among them Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Qatar, Tunisia, Lebanon and Egypt, among others. Of the company’s entire production of small and medium cartridges, 80% is turned to the foreign market.
"The Arab market is strategically important. We are here to strengthen our relations with the Middle East, which has a very great potential," said the company export director, Robert Van de Vooren. According to him, the fair was positive and should generate good business.
Another company present in the Brazilian pavilion is Taurus, which operates in seven sectors, among them weapons, smelted products and helmets. With exports to over 70 countries, including to the Arab market, the company has already participated in six events in the sector in the Middle East. "We are very optimistic with regard to participation in an event as important as this one. To us, the Arab market is very good," said the export assistant at the company, Nelson Maltchik.
Participating in the Idex for the first time is Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, which produces non-lethal weapons, like grenades and ammunition that makes noise, releases tear gas and light flashes, among another 100 kinds of products. For 24 years on the market, the company also already exports to the Arab market and has already made good contact at the fair. "Up to the end of the fair a deal should be closed," said Edson Pereira, of the training department at Condor.
Company Ares Aerospace and Defence is also showing its products at the fair for the first time. According to the director of the weapons division at the company, Mauricio Campello da Silveira, the Arab market has great business potential. The company, which does not yet export to the Arabs, is seeking partners in the market, as it develops projects according to the client’s desires. "Brazil should invest more in this sector. The sector that generates most technology is the military. It is important for the government to focus on added value, that is what matters," said Silveira.
*Translated by Mark Ament
