Alexandre Rocha*
alexandre.rocha@anba.com.br
São Paulo – The Brazilian Ministry of Development Industry and Foreign Trade will promote on Tuesday (04th), in the southeastern Brazilian city of São Paulo, the 120th edition of the Foreign Trade Meetings (Encomex). The event, which was organised in partnership with other public and private sector organisations, is mainly turned to micro and small businesses that want to export, and aims at showing the path that leads to the foreign market. It will be held at the head office of the Federation and Centre of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp/Ciesp).
According to the foreign trade analyst at the Ministry, Gislaine Fragassi, during the meetings the businessman will be able to obtain information on each and every step of the export process, from the financing available to the potential of different markets, as the event will be attended by representatives of several institutions operating in the sector. "The idea is for businessmen to leave the event knowing at least where to seek information, because they will be in touch with the institutions that participate in this process," he stated.
In addition to the Ministry itself, also participating in the debates, panels, and workshops will be representatives of Fiesp, Ciesp, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), the Bank of Brazil, the Caixa Econômica Federal, The Brazilian Foreign Trade Association (AEB), the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), the Brazilian Foreign Office (Itamaraty), the Bradesco bank, the Brazilian Central Bank, the Brazilian Mercantile and Futures Exchange (BM&F), the (bndes) Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the Brazilian Postal Service, the Internal Revenues Service, the state and municipal governments, and chambers of commerce.
The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce will hold the panel "How to export to the Arab countries," to be presented by the secretary-general at the organisation, Michel Alaby. "The aims are to discuss the potential of the Arab countries, to explain how to do business in the region, and to provide tips on how to deal with the Arab businessmen," said Alaby.
He will also talk about the services provided by the Arab Brazilian Chamber, and the commercial promotion actions that the organisation will promote before this year ends. Another subject to be tackled will be the direct flight between São Paulo and Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, that the Emirates Airline will inaugurate in October, and which holds promise of facilitating the transit of businessmen and tourists.
Since the event is turned to small-sized businesses, Alaby is also going to provide some tips on how these companies should operate in the international market, such as seeking specialised trading companies, establishing export consortiums to participate in business fairs, and exploring market niches with differentiated products.
According to Gislaine, the subject matters of the Encomex were selected based on a research conducted among sector organisations to determine which are the matters that attract the most interest, among them markets that have been standing out. In the case of the Arabs, Brazilian exports to the region yielded US$ 3.866 billion between January and July this year, a 17% increase over the same period of 2006.
More encompassing
The event in São Paulo will mark the 10th anniversary of the Encomex meetings, promoted across the country in state capitals and economic hubs with export potential. According to Gislaine, this edition, though, will be more encompassing, as it will count on a greater number of lecturers and activities to cater to a broader public. Until yesterday, 453 businessmen had enrolled to participate.
The profiles of the businessmen who enrolled are diverse. Gislaine explains that they range from people who have never exported and do not know how to do it, to businessmen who already possess some knowledge on the subject. On the sidelines of the panels, the public organisations in attendance will provide individual assistance to businessmen seeking further clarification on the export process, showcasing of services, and foreign trade support techniques, as well as a showroom of exportable products by 12 companies in the region.
Enrolment is free of charge at the site www.encomex.desenvolvimento.gov.br
More information
Fiesp Information Centre
Telephone: (+55 11) 3549-4499
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
