São Paulo – Brazilian businesspeople who participated in a mission to countries in the Gulf this month reported good prospects after the trip. The mission was organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and took entrepreneurs to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from late October to early November. The delegation included 11 Brazilian companies. Pictured above, the Brazilians at the Free Trade Zone Authority of Qatar.
For Flavio Quintanilha, partner of Ecotrading, who took part in the group, the mission was “very fruitful, both for learning and networking.” The company has been exporting for 13 years and operates logistics for commodities, capital, and industrial goods.
Now, he expects to resume exports of orange juice based on the contacts established in the Middle East. “We worked with this product before the pandemic and exported to Latin America and some countries in Africa. Currently, we no longer do it, but we hope to resume negotiations with Arab countries,” he stated.
The contacts established in the mission could generate excellent results, according to the partner. “Directly, [we had] at least eight productive contacts, in total. Indirectly, everyone,” said Quintanilha. The Middle East market is still unexplored by the company, but there are already Arab countries on its list of destinations, such as Egypt.
Gulf office
Intercroma, on the other hand, operates both in the export of afforestation wood and import of chemical products. The wood is destined to produce items such as pallets in countries like the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, and the company’s goal is to increase this volume of exports.
Rodrigo Biscaia, purchasing manager for Intercroma’s chemical division, explains the focus is mainly on the industries of paint and foam for mattresses and pillows in this sector. “We import and distribute inputs to Brazil. Several countries in the Gulf region are suppliers, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The plan is to prospect new suppliers, such as Qatar,” he explained, noting foam is one of the byproducts of the oil industry.
Another aim of the company is to use the region as a logistical hub. “In the UAE or Qatar, [we can] use the free zones. One of the projects is to have an office and warehouses. This way, we could export wood from Brazil without relying heavily on ships because we would be supplying our own stock. And here, from the Middle East, we would buy [chemicals], and as Brazil needs it, we would ship. It would be a two-way hub,” he said.
This was Intercroma’s first trip with the ABCC, of which it is a new member. “The mission was very prolific. The ABCC is opening these contacts. It provides a red-carpet reception, with access to the highest-level officers of these entities. We made many contacts, especially with government agencies and law firms. That alone has paid off the entire investment,” declared Biscaia on what he called an ‘acceleration of contacts.’
Market expertise
Almina Industries, from the food sector, also participated in the mission for the first time. “It went really well. It was a vital experience. We went there to know the market, understand the framework, and learn how to supply the Middle East market and adapt. They have a halal system, which is required even in soy sauce. And we have to adapt to these aspects,” stated the partner of Almina, Ali Mohamed El Turk. The halal certification attests a product is suitable for consumption by Muslims.
For El Turk, the mission served to improve knowledge and contact with authorities and the local market. “We now have the perspective of participating in Gulfood. Then we can expect more to come. Back in Brazil, we will review everything we learned and based on that; we will set up a market strategy,” he said. Gulfood is the largest food sector show in the Middle East and takes place in Dubai.
In addition to the companies mentioned above, Cacau Foods do Brasil, Fambras Halal, Distillerie Stock do Brasil, Zoo Flora, OTC, and Falcafé also participated in the Qatar schedule. In addition to those, representatives of JCF Embalagens and Bendita Mandioca took part in the agenda in the UAE.
Read more about the mission:
- Expo: Brazilian mission had special welcome in pavilions
- In Dubai, Brazilian companies are ready to export
- Mission visits container farm in Abu Dhabi
- Food, agribusiness firms prospecting business in Dubai
- Arab Brazilian Chamber to take companies to UAE, Qatar
- Brazilian companies learned about Qatar’s market practices
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
