Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – The Brazilian companies are still closing deals at Index, the greatest furniture fair in the Middle East. Yesterday (30), the company Mac Design, indoor and outdoor furniture manufacturer from the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, received an order for 40 pieces similar to a deck chair from an importer in Jordan. The exhibit started on Monday and carries on until Friday (02), in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
"This is going to be our first export to an Arab country," stated the export director at Mac Design, Rubens Vila, who is at the fair. According to him, the company already exports to 12 countries, principally to North America and Europe, and in the last months has been working to serve the Arab world. This is the first time the company participates in a fair in the Middle East.
Mac Design is related to the BrazilianBrazilian High-End Furniture Manufacturers Association (Abimad), which took seven companies to Index. As well as Mac Design, another four companies in the group have already settled deals. According to the operations coordinator at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Rodrigo Solano, these factories took products that are up to the standards of the Arab market.
Apart from the Abimad consortium, which was formed especially to meet the demand of the Arab countries, the company Americanflex, upholsteries manufacturer, received an order estimated at US$ 250,000 from a shopkeeper in the United Arab Emirates.
According to Vila, the furniture ordered by the importer from Jordan are indicated for use outdoors in verandas and poolsides. As well as this deal, Vila stated that the company already has other deals underway with businessmen from the Gulf region.
"We hope to close US$ 150,000 in business deals before the end of the fair," said Vila. According to him, the trade fair is good to establish contacts and is an opportunity for the importers to see the quality of Brazilian furniture.
Mac Design, based in Uberaba, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, manufactures about 400 products, amongst tables, chairs, armchairs, ottoman seats and deck chairs. The furniture is produced in synthetic fibres, aluminium, fabrics and wood. The company exports 10% of their production and employs 350 workers.
Good perspectives
The exhibit, which is in its 15th edition, for the seventh time counts on a Brazilian stand. "Our participation is increasing every year. The Arab market is a good opportunity for the Brazilian companies," stated the projects manager at the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex), Rogério Bellini, who is at the fair. The entity is working together with the Arab Chamber and the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association (Abimóvel), which organised the Brazilian space.
According to Bellini, Index has good business perspectives for the Brazilian companies. "Participating at the fair is a very good experience because the companies may feel the Arab market," he said. He also stated that the entities are already working on a larger space for the 2006 edition. "This is already a very good sign," he added.
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey
