Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – Company Esul Esquadrias Uliana, a maker of doors and windows, closed its first deal with an Arab businessman during the Big 5 Show, the largest construction material fair in the Middle East, which ended yesterday (20) in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The company participated in the Brazilian space at the fair, organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex).
"We are going to ship the first container in 35 days," stated Rosangela Maria Uliana, one of the company partners. According to her, the order was made by a builder from Libya. "This is the first time that he is going to import products from Brazil," stated Rosangela. In total, five containers of varnished solid-wood doors are going to be shipped. Each container should carry around 260 doors. The total value of the order is around US$ 340,000.
"The Arab market is very promising. We were surprised with the fair and hope to further expand our markets," stated Rosangela. According to her, the Arabs are very demanding with regard to the quality of products. "They want good quality products, and ours have good chances on this market," she added.
Esul, based in the city of Tietê, in the interior of the southeastern Brazilian state of São Paulo, already exports to ten countries, among them Argentina, Cuba, the United States, Italy and France. Established in 1986, the company produces between 7,000 and 10,000 items a month, and exports between 5,000 and 6,000. Among the products made by the company are solid doors, plain doors, French windows, windows and trim. The company has around 70 employees.
Partnerships
According to Rodrigo Solano, the operations coordinator at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, who is at the fair, the Brazilian stand was much sought and all companies made contacts that may generate business after the fair.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber stand was also visited by many businessmen interested in establishing partnerships with Brazilian companies. According to Solano, some showed interest in establishing showrooms with Brazilian products in Dubai, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. "Many people were after Brazilian construction companies interested in investing in the region," he said.
Dubai is an emirate known for its growing expansion. " Dubai Marina and Jumeirah are full of sky-scraper and leisure area construction projects. All to attract tourists," stated Solano.
Big 5 Show, which began on the 16th, includes the presence of six Brazilian companies and one sector association. This was the 5th time that the Arab Brazilian Chamber participated in the fair.
*Translated by Mark Ament
