Algiers – A common feature of North African countries is a policy of investment attraction and international partnerships that entail technology transfer to help develop their economies. From Brazil, for instance, they are interested in know-how turned to the agricultural sector and other industries.
Some Brazilian companies and government organisations already operate in cooperation with local partners. However, more than farming techniques and industrial training, Brazil is exporting a variety of service very typical of the country: automobile bodywork repair. Currently, approximately 40 Brazilian professionals are in Algiers, hired by auto manufacturing company Renault.
But they are not ordinary professionals, they specialise in a technique that consists of detailed repairing of small damages to the bodywork, leaving it as new.
They were hired to repair approximately 4,000 brand new automobiles at a parking lot of the company in Algiers. A recent burst of hail caused small depressions on the bodies of the vehicles, which must be eliminated before they are put up for sale.
Besides the Brazilians, there are Italian, Spanish and Argentine workers. However, according to the account of one of the team members, the Brazilians are the most efficient. They fix three to four cars while an European repairs just one.
On Tuesday (27), some 2,500 vehicles still needed repair, a task that should last a few more weeks. Yet, according to the same worker, the long period away from home is worthwhile, as it is possible to earn from 35,000 to 40,000 euros in a season such as this.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum