São Paulo – Since Monday (22), nine companies from the furniture sector are exhibiting their products in a Brazilian pavilion at the Index Design Series, the industry show that takes place every year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There’s an expectation to strike new deals in the event that welcomes buyers mostly from the Middle East and North Africa, regions which have seen their share increase as destinations for Brazil’s exports of the sector.
After a one year-hiatus – in 2016 there wasn’t a Brazilian pavilion in the fair –, the Brazilian furniture industry is back to exhibiting its products to the Arab market. The companies travelled to the event via the Brazilian Furniture Project, a partnership between the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) and the Brazilian Furniture Industries Association (Abimóvel).
“In our last participation, in 2015, we had USD 6.4 million worth in new deals,” says Cândida Cervieri, Abimóvel’s CEO. The association is betting on at least reaching the same amount, even with less companies attending – two years ago, Brazil sent 19 companies.
Cervieri says that the Arab market is very promising. The buyers in the region usually look for budget-type furniture, especially living room and bedroom, and interior design objects. The companies taking part in the fair are Artesano Móveis, BRV Móveis, Cristais São Marcos, Marilza Ramos, Móveis Carraro, Multimóveis, MZ Artes, Politorno Móveis and Telasul.
According to Abimóvel, Brazilian exports are recovering since the second half of last year, with this year’s Q1 as a highlight. In 2016, the sector had USD 587 million in exports.
“The participation at Index of companies of the Brazilian Furniture Project is, without a doubt, an excellent opportunity for the sector’s expansion of business in the United Arab Emirates, promoting the Brazilian industry,” said Abimóvel’s president, Daniel Lutz, in a statement.
The 27th edition of the Index Design Series runs until Thursday (25) at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Last year, the fair generated deals worth USD 5.5 billion, with 800 exhibitors and the visit of near 35,000 professionals from the sector.
The Brazilian pavilion is located at Arena & Sheikh Aseed, Hall 2 – Entrance Boulevard – F Street.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
