São Paulo – Brazilian companies participating in Khartoum International Fair, in Sudan, made contacts and developed business both at the fair and during the visits they made to potential clients. Last Friday (6), Cotrimex and Agroway Trading participated in business roundtables promoted by the organisation at the fair.
"They made excellent contacts with local distributors and the interest in Brazil was immense. After the presentation of Brazilian businessmen, all the questions were guided exclusively to them," explained Rafael Abdulmassih, Market Development analyst at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
According to him, the movement at the Brazil stand – organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber – was very great throughout the event, especially Friday, which is Saturday to the Sudanese, when the movement was as much as 30% greater. "We are very optimistic with regard to making business concrete in recent months. Khartoum Fair has shown it is an event with great potential for companies participating through representatives," he observed.
According to the analyst, among the clients visited by the trader at Serlac throughout the week, the highlight was contact with a packer of powdered milk, which already imports the product from Brazil and packs it in Sudan, under its own brand. "The Serlac representative said that there are great possibilities for deals with this importer," explained Abdulmassih.
Cotrimex, which is a producer and exporter of ornamental stone, also found good possibilities for sales during the fair. "One of the contacts that promise the greatest business was with a group of companies from Qatar, which also operates in Sudan. They have already asked for price estimates and samples of cut and uncut marble and granite for counters and kitchen sinks," explained trader Wissam Saidah.
According to him, the group has a chain of furniture shops in Sudan and is the exclusive representative of Bertolini Móveis Planejados in the country. "The export manager at the company already knows Brazil and greatly praised the quality of our products," he pointed out. "We also spoke to another client, who already imports from Egypt and Jordan, and is seeking diversification of suppliers. We are returning with several contacts and our expectations are very positive. The only fight is regarding prices, as our quality is more than sufficient," stated Saidah.
According to Abdulmassih, representatives of Grendene, who went from Sudan to Morocco to visit clients, are already negotiating with a local distributor. "They left their samples and should continue negotiating with great perspectives for return to Sudan still in 2009 to establish the partnership," he said.
"Acceptance of Grendene products was spectacular. As the local population uses many open shoes, repercussion was great," explained the analyst. According to him, Grendene took to the fair the same shoes produced for the Brazilian market, with several models of sandals, flip-flops and shoes.
The 26th edition of Khartoum International Fair took place from February 1st to 7th, in the Sudanese capital. The fair traditionally offers business opportunities with products and services in the food and beverage sectors as a whole, agricultural machinery, electric products, furniture, organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals, vehicles and parts and household appliances.
Sudan has 38 million consumers, an economy based on great government spending in infrastructure and grew 8.5% last year.
*Translated by Mark Ament
