São Paulo – Expodireto Cotrijal, an agricultural sector fair that takes place from March 4th to 8th, in the city of Não-Me-Toque, in Rio Grande do Sul, will have participation of importers from the Arab world and from the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. The fair should receive representatives from the Loukil and Sopat groups, from Tunisia, and from Federal Foods, from the United Arab Emirates. The CEO at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby, should give a talk on the first day of the fair. The fair plays an important part in trade of Brazilian crops and had a turnover of R$ 1.1 billion (US$ 550 million) in 2012.
“Brazil has much to offer in agribusiness and the region is an important producer,” said the COO at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Andrea Monteiro Uhlmann. The group of Arabs is visiting the fair at the invitation of the organizers, who counted on Arab Brazilian Chamber support to bring them. Professionals from the organisation will also be there to grant support to the Arab importers and to the Brazilian companies interested in the market in the region.
According to Uhlmann, the partnership with Expodireto Cotrijal was an activity of the Trade Department at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, which identified the potential of the fair. “We have been eyeing opportunities in several states,” said the COO, regarding the organisation’s efforts to broaden its work to beyond the southeast of Brazil. The Arab Brazilian Chamber is headquartered in the city of São Paulo, the main economic hub in the country, which attracts many Arab businessmen.
Arab importers and those from other countries to visit the fair should participate in roundtables daily, according to Mariana Mânica, who is responsible for Expodireto Cotrijal marketing. The schedule for the roundtables will be segmented, and each day certain products will be focussed on. The buyers will meet Brazilian companies.
Buying in Brazil
From the Arab world, the three companies to come have varied interests. Loukil is searching for agricultural machinery. The group is among the largest in Tunisia and, as is the case with many companies, it operates from agriculture to heavy industry, information technology, consultancy and international trade, among others. The company has 3,600 employees and will send two representatives to Expodireto Cotrijal.
Also from Tunisia, Sopat is participating in the fair looking for grain, animal feed and beef and chicken. The company produces, imports and exports food products, operating throughout North Africa. According to the Arab Brazilian Chamber, they want strategic partnerships with Brazilian companies.
Federal Foods is going to participate in the fair in Rio Grande do Sul interested in meats. It is one of the main distributors in the Emirates and has six branches in the country, as well as one in Qatar and another in Oman. The company has already participated in other events promoted by the Arab Brazilian Chamber, including roundtables in 2011.
Expodireto
Apart from promoting business, Expodireto Cotrijal will also have space for talks and agribusiness debates. The Arab Brazilian Chamber CEO, Michel Alaby, should speak about the Arab countries, their relations with Rio Grande do Sul and the Arab Brazilian Chamber’s operation on March 4th. The ambassador of Palestine in Brasília, who is also the dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Brazil, Ibrahim Alzeben, should also speak on the 4th, at 2:00 pm. He will present business potential with Palestine.
Expodireto 2013 will focus on logistics and its part in the growth of Brazilian agribusiness. Last year, the fair had 468 exhibitors and 185,000 visitors, according to the organisers. There was great growth in international sales: 580%. Deals closed totalled R$ 102 million (US$ 51 million) and 105 buyers from71 countries participated. The fair is promoted by Cotrijal, the agricultural cooperative of Não-Me-Toque.
Service
Expodireto Cotrijal
From March 4th to 8th, 2013
Expodireto Park – Não-Me-Toque – RS
Telephone: (+55 54) 3332-3636
Site: www.expodireto.cotrijal.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
