São Paulo – On Thursday (14), the 14th edition of the International Healthcare and Medical Exhibition, starts in Damascus, Syria. According to the organizers of the event, at least 55 companies from 29 countries should participate in the three days of the fair. Dentalcare, another healthcare sector exhibition takes place alongside Healthcare, presenting novelties and dental products and devices.
Two Brazilian companies that already export to the Arab countries are going to participate in the Healthcare: Impol, specialized in orthopaedics products, and Fanem, which makes neonatal products. The proposal is to increase participation in the markets in the Middle East. Fanem, for example, opened an office in Jordan early this year. The company exports to over 90 countries, but the Middle East is responsible for over 45% of sales abroad. The main products sold in Arab nations are incubators, heated cribs and phototherapy equipment.
Healthcare is promoted by the Arabian Group, a company that organizes fairs and events in the Syrian capital. The international marketing manager at the Arabian Group, Eyad Thamis, says that the presence of Brazilian companies in the fair is important for bilateral relations between both nations. "Brazilian companies bring important products here. And they may find good opportunities at the event. Apart from that, the countries may improve relations and do business. Brazil is an important partner," he said.
Impol, another exhibitor at the event, is seeking other trade partners in the region. Established in 1977, the company from Diadema, in Greater São Paulo, produces orthopaedics equipment, especially for cases of bone tumours. Impol is investing US$ 7,000 in its second participation in Healthcare. Two company employees are in Syria. According to the export manager at Impol, Margarete Nacajune, the objective is to expand its visibility in the region, make new contacts and close deals. Exports, according to the executive, represent 35% to 45% of Impol revenues.
The company has strong operation in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Iran and Sudan, but plans to expand the volume of companies and countries that buy its products. "In future, work will be developed to cover distribution in other countries, like Algeria, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, i.e., the remaining countries of the Middle East and North Africa, improving contact with distributors in the region," said Margarete.
The Brazilian stand is organized by the Trade and Investment Promotion Department at the Itamaraty, with the support of the embassy of Brazil to Damascus and of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, which sent two employees to the event.
The Brazilian healthcare sector had a turnover of 8.2 billion Brazilian reals (US$ 5.1 billion) last year, according to figures disclosed by the Brazilian Association of the Industry of Medical, Dental, Hospital and Laboratory Articles and Equipment (Abimo). The sector hopes to grow 7% this year and reach revenues of 8.75 billion reals (US$ 5.5 billion), according to the forecast department at Abimo.
*Translated by Mark Ament
