Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – Today (01), the 38th edition of the Algiers International Fair will begin in the Algerian capital. One of the novelties of this edition is the participation of the Brazilian embassy in Algiers. "This is one of the largest fairs in the Arab world," stated the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), Michel Alaby, who is participating in the event. Exhibitors from over 32 countries are expected.
This is the eighth time that the CCAB participates in the event in Algiers. This year, the Brazilian stand will have an area of 150 square metres. "It is the largest stand we have ever had in Algiers," stated Alaby.
According to the operations coordinator at the CCAB, Rodrigo Solano, who met yesterday (31) with the Brazilian ambassador in Algiers, Isnard Penha Brasil Júnior, two employees from the embassy, who work in the trade promotion sector, will be at the Brazilian stand. They will be helping supply information to foreign businessmen interested in doing business with Brazil. The space will also count on the presence of Paulo de Mello Vidal, an advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Brazil.
Apart from the Brazilian embassy, six companies from the country are going to participate in the event, which ends on Thursday (09). The companies are: Azaléia and Bical, in the shoe sector, Tangará and Interceller, food processors, Agri-Tillage, which makes agricultural equipment, and Fortlev, a maker of roof tiles and water tanks.
"Our expectation is to find new clients in the Arab region, not only in Algeria, but also in Tunisia and Morocco," stated the export manager at Azaléia, Paulo Wolff. The company already exports sandals, mainly, to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon. The Arab market represents 5% of factory exports.
Last year
In the last edition, Algiers International Fair received around 500,000 visitors and brought together businessmen from over 35 countries in America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In all, 600 Algerian and 1,300 foreign exhibitors participated in the fair.
Among the sector in which the fair presents opportunities are the transport, auto parts, agricultural machinery, civil construction, medical, hospital and dentistry equipment, raw and processed food, machinery and tools, commercial and financial automation, wood, cattle beef and derivatives, paper and chemical products.
Bilateral trade
The total of imports and exports between Brazil and Algeria last year was US$ 2.283 billion. Brazilian foreign sales to the Arab country totalled US$ 348.5 million, which represented an increase of 127% when compared to 2003.
According to Alaby, exports from Brazil to Algeria should exceed US$ 500 million this year. Among the main products shipped to the Arab country are sugar, cattle beef, wheat, automobiles, milk, aluminium thread and highway tractors.
The main products imported from the Arab country are crude oil, naphtha for the petrochemical industry and fertilizers. Last year, Brazilian imports totalled US$ 1.93 billion, a 75% increase when compared to 2003.
*Translated by Mark Ament
