São Paulo – Brazilian technology in the medical and hospital sector attracted the attention of Pierre Ayoub, head of the medical equipment division in Lebanese group Kettaneh, who participated in the Hospitalar this week, in São Paulo. "I never thought that Brazil had such technology in the sector. In Lebanon, we have always had as references companies in Europe and the United States," said the businessman, who travelled at the invitation of the Brazilian Association of the Industry of Medical, Dental, Hospital and Laboratory Articles and Equipment (Abimo).
Ayoub’s initial objective at the fair was to find producers of disposable material for hospitals, clinics and chemists, but after visiting the stands of some Brazilian companies, the manager was impressed with hospital equipment. "After the fair we will certainly start importing from Brazil," he said.
Another point stated by the member was the friendliness of the Brazilians. "I was impressed. I feel that people here are very sincere and friendly, which makes it easier to negotiate," said Ayoub. According to him, Brazil has good companies abroad in the medical and hospital sector that are prepared to supply the domestic market. However, there is not great promotion abroad. "Companies need to be more present in large fairs, like Medica (Germany) and Arab Health (Dubai). Apart form that, they must be more aggressive on the Arab market," he added.
One of the companies that impressed Ayoub was Baumer, a producer of sterilizers, spotlights and surgery tables. In the market for over 15 years, the company, which employs 480 people, has as its target opening new markets in the Arab world and increasing exports to the Middle East. "What is harder today in the Arab world is showing the quality of Brazilian technology in health, and this is work that we are starting to develop," said the director of the international area at Baumer, Wagner Mazolli.
Present on all continents, Baumer turns 22% of production to the foreign market and the target is to reach 40% by 2011. According to Mazolli, the Arab countries currently represent between 6% and 7% of exports. "We want to reach at least 15% to that market," he said.
Another Brazilian company visited by Ayoub was Sismatec, a maker of spotlights and operating tables. The company, which was also praised by the sales and marketing manager at Saudi company Arab Supply, Mohamed Shamsul Alam, is already present in the Arab market and is after new clients. According to the export manager at the organisation, Vanessa Machado, meeting the Arabs at Hospitalar is always an opportunity to present products.
With exports to over 20 countries, Sismatec has as its target expansion of 10% in sales to the foreign market, and the Arab countries, according to Vanessa, may be greatly responsible for the increase. "That is why we participate in Arab Health, in Dubai," she said.
*Translated by Mark Ament
