Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – At its first participation in Algiers International Fair, in the capital of Algeria, furniture producer Rimo, from the southeastern Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, closed a US$ 35,000 contract with an importer from the Arab country. "This is going to be the first time we export to Algeria," stated the company export manager, Gustavo Correard. The fair, which was opened to the public on Friday (02), ends on Thursday (08) and includes 15 Brazilian companies.
Rimo is going to export one container with 70 sets of beds, bedside tables, dressers and wardrobes. The shipment should be made in 30 days after the payment. According to Correard, the company had already made contact with some Algerian businessmen during business roundtables in São Paulo a year and a half ago. "At the fair we have the opportunity of exhibiting our products, which simplifies sales," he said.
According to Correard, Rimo already exports to other Arab countries in the Middle East, like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Oman. "We recently started working with the North African market," he added. Rimo produces 20,000 items a month and exports between 12% and 15%. Apart from the Arab countries, the products are also shipped to Central America, South America and the United States. The company also produces furniture for gardens, verandas and racks.
The company from the Espírito Santo is at the stand of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, which organized the trip of another three companies, Divicar, also in the furniture sector, which has an Algerian representative at the fair, Tangará, a maker of powdered milk, and Starret, a maker of saws. "Brazilian furniture is being successful at the stand. Many people stop to look at it," stated the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby, who is at the fair.
Apart from the companies at the Arab Brazilian Chamber stand, there are another seven furniture companies at the stand of the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association (Abimóvel), which covers an area of 180 square metres. However, another four Brazilian companies are also participating at the fair. The companies are Randon, a maker of highway implements, Fras-le, of auto parts, Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, which is exhibiting a mock-up. Another novelty is the Cross Fox, a Volkswagen Brazil vehicle, which is also being exhibited at the fair.
The fair
Algiers International Fair is at its 39th edition and counts on the participation of 1,635 exhibitors from 45 countries. Among them, are 515 companies from Algeria. The fair is one of the most important for the country. It was inaugurated by Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika on June 01. This is the 9th time that the Arab Brazilian Chamber participates in the fair. Bilateral trade between Brazil and Algeria totalled US$ 3.2 billion last year.
*Translated by Mark Ament
