Isaura Daniel*
isaura.daniel@anba.com.br
São Paulo – Brazilian producers of non-ferrous metals, which include products like sanitary metals, locks and household appliances, are going to seek more market in the Arab world. The Non-Ferrous Metal Artefact Union of the State of São Paulo (Siamfesp) and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) signed, early this week, an agreement to promote sector products in six Arab countries, among them the United Arab Emirates. Investment in the process should reach 3.22 million Brazilian reals (US$ 1.9 million at current exchange rates) over the next two years to make artefacts made in Brazil better known in the Emirates, Panama, Argentina, Angola, Mexico and Bolivia.
The project manager at the House and Construction Unit at Apex-Brasil, Paulo Roberto da Silva, stated that the suggestion of markets came from the Siamfesp, but that the Apex approved it. The Apex already has close knowledge of the Emirates due to the actions it promotes in the region periodically. "We know of the civil construction boom that is taking place in the Emirates and know that it is a market with greater added value," stated Silva. According to the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, who participated as a guest in the launching program, Brazilian companies must present quality and differentiated products to compete with suppliers who are already in the Arab market.
The companies benefited will initially total 39, but the idea is for the figure to be expanded to 45 by the end of the project, according to Silva. The group was established after the Siamfesp prospected the companies interested in exporting. According to the manager at the Apex, around 60% of companies in the sector have never done so. Starting with the project, they will have the opportunity of participating in the Big 5 Show, a construction sector fair that normally takes place in Dubai, in the Emirates. It is possible, according to Silva, for this participation to be preceded by a business mission to the region. They are also going to participate in other fairs in the remaining countries targeted by the project.
The idea is for companies to receive a market study, showing buyers, distribution channels and competitors in the region prior to participation in the fairs so that they may travel to the country knowing the local buyers and having meetings scheduled. The promotion of trips to Brazil by importers from the countries involved is also scheduled so that they may learn more about the local industry. A site should also be created in which the companies that are members of the group will be presented, and a newsletter will be sent to companies in the group and to other Siamfesp associates showing the development of the project.
The objective behind the launch of the project is the increase of sector exports by 42.6% up to 2009. According to information disclosed by the Apex and Siamfesp, the non-ferrous metal sector has annual revenues of 2.4 billion reals (US$ 1.4 million), but 95% still comes from the domestic market. Company training is also forecasted in the project actions. Together, the 39 companies participating in the group had revenues of 1.05 billion in 2006 (US$ 610 million) and exports of US$ 29.6 million. Although the Siamfesp has São Paulo as its base, the companies participating in the group, which are associated, are also from Santa Catarina and Paraná (two southern Brazilian states).
*Translated by Mark Ament
