São Paulo – Participation of Brazilian companies in the Index – the International Design Exhibition generated US$ 800,000 in business at the event and also potential business of US$ 2.2 million for the coming 12 months. The fair took place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, from May 20th to 23rd, and included the presence of eight domestic companies.
Ditalia, Politorno, Saccaro, Unicasa and Vamol (makers of furniture), and Luhome, A Lot Of and Cristais São Marcos (makers of decorations) exhibited in the 420-square-meter Brazilian pavilion organized by Brazilian Furniture, a project developed by the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), The Wood and Furniture Industry Union of the Federal District (Sindimam) and the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association (Abimóvel) to foster sector exports.
In total, these industries made 589 contacts during the fair. “It was very positive in terms of opening doors to new markets. We made over 100 contacts and three of them presented great potential for evolution of sales,” said Cindy Fernandes, export manager at Vamol, in a Brazilian Furniture press release.
This was the first time that Vamol participated in the fair. The company signed a contract during the event and received several price estimate requests. “We estimate sales of around US$ 800,000 for the next 12 months,” said Fernandes.
In the statement, Regina Apud, who is responsible for the export sector at Cristais São Marcos, pointed out that the location of the Brazilian stand, close to traditional sellers to the region, was a positive factor for his company. “I also noticed that the fair was more segmented, with clients with higher buying power,” he said. According to the executive, the anticipation of the fair to the first half also allowed projection of the conclusion of business throughout 2013.
Index Dubai receives buyers from all over the world, especially from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the economic bloc that includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In the first three months of the year alone, the Emirates invested US$ 1.53 billion in the residential sector; Saudi Arabia, US$ 1.13 billion, and Qatar, US$ 300 million.
*Translated by Mark Ament
