São Paulo – Brazilian products are little known in Iraq. Thus, to the organizers of the International Erbil Fair, the presence of Brazil at the event, due from the 18th to the 21st this month in the Iraqi Kurdistan, is a must. " There’s a general perception in the public’s mind that associates Brazilian exclusively to food & FMCG exports; while Brazil has so many other services & products to offer,” said to ANBA by e-mail Hamad Khalil, general manager of the fair’s organizing company International Fairs & Promotions (IFP).
In addition to the food industry, Khalil mentioned other Brazilian sectors and products, such as energy, aeronautics, tyres, asphalt, among others. According to the general manager, the Iraqi government is implementing a US$ 70 billion project to invest in sectors strategic to the country’s reconstruction. "The government wants to rebuild essential infrastructure and this has created a huge demand for both expertise and capital. Moreover, the Iraqi government has publicly stated its need for the participation of foreign investors,” added Khalil.
In order to promote Brazil at the fair, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Brazilian embassy in Iraq will have stands at the event. The secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber will also attend the fair to clarify doubts from Iraqi businessmen interested in doing business with Brazil.
The Brazilian companies are going to take furniture, medical equipment and automotive and construction tools to the fair. Vila Rica, a manufacturer of closets, beds, shelves wardrobes and racks based in Arapongas, in the state of Paraná, will exhibit at the Erbil fair for the first time. According to the company’s export manager, Camila Rodrigues, Vila Rica already exports, in the Arab market, to Algeria and Libya.
According to her, the company began prospecting the Arab countries three years ago. Camila has been to Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Libya, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco seeking distributors and storeowners. "The construction industry in Iraq is very strong and we are taking advantage of that to promote our furniture," said the manager.
Vila Rica, which has been on the Brazilian market for 22 years, is a family company with 250 employees. According to Camila, by 2015, the company plans on increasing its output, currently at 18,000 units per month, by 25%.
Another company in the Brazilian stand is Fanem, which manufactures products ranging from neonatal incubators to surgical vacuum pumps. The Arab market is the company’s second largest target in the world, after Latin America. A local representative of the company will be at the stand to promote Fanem’s products. The third company is Tramontina, which will also have a local representative at the fair to showcase its line of automotive and construction tools.
Because it is multisectorial, the fair has opportunities in various sectors, such as electric and electronic devices, furniture, textiles, fashion, agriculture, food, building material, decoration, computers, telecommunication, security, automotive and services.
According to Khalil, Kurdistan is the safest gateway into Iraq, and is known for its political and economic stability. "Iraq is a promising, thirsty market that still harbours an enormous untapped economic potential and offers great rewards for investors," he stated.
The local government has adopted a long-term strategic plan to turn the region into a centre of preference for investment. The results were free market policies and new investment laws. According to Khalil, the region has become a magnet for foreign companies. Proof of that is the fact that enterprises such as Zain Telecom, from Bahrain, LG and many other international brands will attend the Erbil fair this year.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
