São Paulo – The Arab Brazilian Chamber should participate in Erbil International Fair, whose 9th edition should take place from September 23rd to 26th, in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. In partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), the organisation will have a pavilion that already counts on five exhibitors. There is space for another five.
The companies present include Fanem, a medical and hospital product producer, and slaughterhouse Marfrig, trading company Sunfield, Cibal, a certifier of halal products – prepared according to the Sharia -, and the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association (Abiec).
The fair is multisectorial, so companies in different areas may participate. Among the sectors considered the greatest opportunities for business are food, civil construction, medical and hospital equipment, fashion, furniture, energy and electronic products.
Last year, the fair had 850 exhibitors from 22 countries and 75,000 visitors from the whole of Iraq, according to the organizers of the event. Sectors like engineering, electronics, building, energy, furniture, decoration, information technology, education, fashion, banking, jewellery and handicraft, among others, should be present.
In the sidelines of the fair, Abiec, in partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber, should organize a barbecue on the 26th, in Erbil. The idea is to invite potential importers and local authorities. “It will be a barbecue to promote Brazilian beef,” said Arab Brazilian Chamber CEO Michel Alaby.
Barbecue
Iraq suspended imports of Brazilian beef after it was informed, in December 2012, by the Ministry of Agriculture, that the agent that causes mad cow disease was identified in a cow that died in the state of Paraná in 2010, without, however, having developed the disease.
In May, the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) confirmed a report by the organisation’s Scientific Commission that maintained Brazil’s status as a country with “insignificant risk” of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, the lowest possible degree for the chance of occurrence of the disease. To the organisation, the case in the state of Paraná did not mean risk to public and animal health in Brazil, neither to its trade partners.
Also in September, according to Alaby, a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of Iraq should travel to Brazil to discuss the matter of suspension of imports. In 2012, prior to interruption, Brazilian beef sales to Iraq generated US$ 24.7 million, growth of 18% over 2011, according to figures disclosed by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
In total, sales to Iraq reached US$ 288 million last year, with chicken being the main item in the basket, according to the Development Ministry.
As is already tradition, apart from participating in the fair, the Arab Brazilian Chamber should promote meetings between the Brazilians participating in the fair and authorities and business leaders in the country, as well as visits to local companies.
Investment for exhibition in the Brazilian pavilion is R$ 2.800,00 (US$ 1,255) for associates at the organisation and R$ 4.000,00 (US$ 1800) for non-associates. The package includes a nine-square-metre decorated booth, bilingual receptionist and support from the Arab Brazilian Chamber and the Apex. Enrolment should take place by August 15th.
Further information
Arab Brazilian Chamber
Commercial Department
Tel.: (+55 11) 3147-4066
E-mail: members@ccab.org.br
Fair site: www.eif-expo.com
*Translated by Mark Ament
