Dubai – The Brazilian companies that participated in the Big 5 Show, a trade fair for the construction industry that ends today (26th) in Dubai, should close deals worth US$ 12 million in the next 12 months, according to estimates made by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex).
The Brazilian stand featured 24 companies and one association. In total, 3,300 contacts were made with businessmen from the entire Gulf region and countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. "The number of contacts made exceeded our expectations. The Apex used to believe that because of the crisis, less visitors were going to attend. However, the contacts were numerous and very positive," said the project manager of the Image and Market Access Unit of Apex, Adalberto Schiell.
According to him, with regard to deals closed, the figure was below expectations. "Even considering a lower number of exhibitors than last year, we were hoping for a greater business volume," said the manager. According to him, this shows that the crisis still lingers in Dubai. "Construction works are still going on, businessmen are seeking products, but business has not quite picked up yet," he added.
Companies in the fields of ceramics, marble and granite, stainless steel, and construction machinery and equipment achieved the best results. In addition to closed deals, as was the case with ceramics companies Itagres and Villagres, air compressor maker Schulz, granite manufacturer Guidoni, and sanitary metals maker Crismoe, the businessmen resumed contacts with clients and established new partnerships.
Oswaldo Arouca Neto, a representative for door lock manufacturing company Arouca, for instance, should sign a contract with a distributor before leaving Dubai. "We have sensed that the Arabs need ready-for-delivery products here, therefore we want to close a deal with a distributor so that he may have an inventory of our products," said Neto, who is negotiating with a representative.
"This fair was very productive for Brazilian companies. We promoted a schedule of activities on the sidelines, including a pre-show survey that helped the companies to make contacts, and we are working in partnership with the fair’s organizers so that next year, Brazil will have an even better result," said the Marketing manager of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Andrea.
The fair
The Big 5 Show, which started on the 23rd, brought together 3,000 exhibitors from 52 countries, with 22 national pavilions. The fair, the largest in the Middle Eastern building industry, occupied an area of 43,000 square metres at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre. According to the vice president of DMG World, the fair’s organizers, Simon Mellor, this was a tough year for the building industry, but the Big 5 was the first meeting of the international construction community ever since the crisis started.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
