São Paulo – The 2014 edition of the Gulfood fair will feature at least 50% more Brazilian companies than this year’s edition. Most exhibitors will be at the Brazilian stand organized by the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex) and by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. The stand will cover 725 square metres and a 312-square-metre mezzanine that will host approximately 75 companies. In 2013, nearly 50 exhibitors from Brazil attended, 35 of which attended with support from the Apex. The fair, held in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is the Middle East’s largest food and beverage industry event, and one of the world’s most important. Next year, it will run from February 23rd to 27th.
This Tuesday (10th), delegates from sectorial organizations have attended a meeting with Apex executives at the Arab Brazilian Chamber headquarters, in São Paulo, to discuss the organization of the Brazilian pavilion and the customer relationship strategies to be adopted during the Gulfood. The mezzanine at the Brazilian stand should comprise a kitchen where typical Brazilian breakfast and lunch recipes will be cooked.
The meeting was attended by delegates from the Apex, the Arab Brazilian Chamber, the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (Abic), the Brazilian Poultry Union (Ubabef), the Brazilian Meat Exporting industries Association (Abiec), the Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab), the Brazilian Fruit Institute (Ibraf), the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), the National Biscuit Industry Association (ANIB) and the Brazilian Rice Industry Association (Abiarroz) via the Brazilian Rice project.
Negotiation
According to the Apex executive manager Vinícius Estrela, the Brazilian booth will feature more companies because the agency has managed to negotiate with the Gulfood organizers for a larger space. “In the past, sectorial associations would go to the fair separately, and not always with the Apex. We have negotiated with the organizers so the Apex could bring the Brazilian exhibitors together in one pavilion, and thus bring more companies along. The competition for the Gulfood is fierce, there are up to 2,000 exhibitors waiting to participate, so getting additional space it is very difficult,” said Estrela.
The Apex executive said the Gulfood offers major business opportunities to Brazilians. “The Arabs are avid for food products and Brazil has a lot to sell, it has many options to present to them. This is why there is a strong demand from Brazilians who will attend the fair as exhibitors. “Apart from the companies that will participate at the Brazilian pavilion, other companies from the country should exhibit at their own stands.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
