São Paulo – Brazilian businessmen in the sectors of food, building material and electric and electronic products, who do not yet export to the Arab market, but who are interested in entering the region, participated yesterday (15th) in workshop "Get to Know the Arab Market", promoted by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, in São Paulo. The need to diversify the products shipped to the Arabs was one of the themes covered in the event.
According to the Market Development manager at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Rodrigo Solano, approximately three quarters of Brazilian exports to the Arab countries are commodities. "Why not diversify?", he asked those participating. Sugar, soy, meats and ores are among the main items shipped.
Rubens Peres Jr., sales manager at Acrilex, a producer of acrylic paints, participated in the workshop to learn more about the market he is starting to prospect. Next week, the manager should be in Dubai, where he already has meetings scheduled to learn about the ease to reexport Brazilian paint from Dubai to other countries of the region. The company already exports to 35 countries and is headquartered in São Bernardo do Campo, in greater São Paulo.
Another company present at the event was New Millen, of food supplements. According to the executive director at the company, José Dantas, the Arab market is starting to be worked now. In early November, he should participate in food sector fair Saudi Agro Food, in Saudi Arabia, to receive a Brazilian delegation organised by the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to Dantas, New Millen is already negotiating with two Arab companies, one from the United Arab Emirates and another from Morocco. The contact with the importer from the Emirates was made at business roundtables promoted by the Arab Brazilian Chamber at the Equipotel fair, in São Paulo. The buyer has already asked for samples of powdered chocolate and packages in Arabic. Also included in the company plans is participation in Gulfood, a food sector fair in Dubai, to take place in February.
Training
Among the themes covered by the speakers at the workshop, company preparation, which includes product qualification, certification and preparation of personnel, was the topic most discussed. "The problem of communication is very serious. The company needs to be ready to export," said the coordinator of the Foreign Trade department at the Chamber, Francisca Barros, who mentioned the difficulties Brazilians have in speaking English, for example.
The supervisor of the Certification department at the Chamber, Simone Cássia Rojas, also mentioned this difficulty. "We cannot certify a document that arrives in Portuguese," she said, adding that she often receives untranslated documents at the organisation.
At the workshop, the speakers also covered themes like the economic potential of the Arab countries, customs, habits and strategic planning to enter the market. Exchanging emails, for example, is not the best way to start relations with an Arab. "They prefer to look into your eyes, or even to speak on the phone," said Solano.
The event also included the participation of representatives of Emirates airline, the Brazilian Association of Architecture Firms (Asbea) and of the Brazilian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association (Abinee). The same workshop should be promoted at the Arab Brazilian Chamber in November and December.
Further information:
Marketing Department at the Arab Brazilian Chamber
Telephone: (+55 11) 3147-4071/73
E-mail: marketing@ccab.org.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
