São Paulo – The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce is taking exhibitors from five Arab countries to the expo of the São Paulo Supermarkets Association (Apas). Food exporters from Morocco, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Tunisia will join the event from May 2 to 5 in São Paulo.
At the Arab Brazilian Chamber’s stand, the exporters from the Middle East and North Africa will exhibit food items including olive oil, tomato paste, jelly, canned vegetables, sauces, spices, couscous, and pâtés.
“The Arab Chamber has been taking part in Apas for a long time now, creating opportunities for Arab countries to bring in their products. Apas is the premier trade show in South America for the industry, therefore it is a major showcase for the Arab countries,” says Arab Brazilian Chamber president Rubens Hannun.
He remarks that nations such as Tunisia, for instance, are constantly featured in the event, whereas Qatar is joining for the first time, which is proof that Arab countries are increasingly interested in the Brazilian market.
“We need to encourage this trade, not only from Brazil to them, but to us from them as well. This is very important, and it is part of our effort to increase trade on both ends,” he says.
Apas will feature over 700 exhibitors this year, 239 of whom are foreign. “This year, we have exhibitors from 26 countries. The exhibition is much bigger this year in floor space, exhibitor numbers, and congress attendees,” says Apas vice president and expo director Erlon Ortega.
According to him, the biggest non-Brazilian stands this year will be Portugal’s, Chile’s and Argentina’s. Non-local exhibitors, he explains, often bring in typical items from their countries, like Chilean oats, Portuguese codfish, and Italian pasta.
“The fair is setting itself apart due to the volume of deals done with these countries,” says Ortega regarding foreign exhibitors in general. In addition to the exhibitors featured in stands, the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) will hold business matchmaking sessions for Brazilians and non-Brazilians. This year, the agency is bringing 40 international buyers to sit down and talk business at the expo.
According to Apas, last year’s matchmaking sessions led to USD 76.95 million in sales, a 26.4% increase over 2015. Total deals last year amounted to BRL 5 billion (USD 1.5 billion), and BRL 6 billion (USD 1.9 billion) are expected this year.
Quick facts
Apas Fair
May 2 to 5, 2017
Expo Center Norte
Rua José Bernardo Pinto, 333, Vila Guilherme – São Paulo
Dates and hours: May 2 to 4, from 2 pm to 10pm; May 5, from 1 pm to 7 pm
Website: www.apasshow.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
