São Paulo – Building material, such as marble, granite and ceramics, is among the products that the state of Paraíba wants to export to the Arab market. The intention was manifested last Thursday (22nd), during a lecture on the Arab market given by the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, in João Pessoa (the capital of the state), promoted by the Paraíba International Business Centre, by an initiative of the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraíba and of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae).
According to Alaby, the businessmen attending the meeting showed interest in exporting various types of products to the Arab world, such as building material, sisal, fruit, medical products, and handicraft items. The manager of the Sebrae Micro and Small Business Internationalisation Project, Elianete Paiva, believes that construction material may stand a good chance in the Arab market due to the ongoing projects in the region.
The marble, granite and ceramics are mostly produced in the city of Campina Grande and vicinities, according to the manager. They are, however, mainly manufactured by small and medium businesses, therefore the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber suggested that producers organise themselves into a consortium or group so as to prospect the Arab market. Paraíba is the second largest producing state for ornamental granite and quartzite stones in Northeast Brazil, according to information supplied by the government of the state.
Also during the meeting, Alaby provided guidance to artisans regarding the local products he believes should have the greatest output in the Arab world: lace and embroidery. The interest that the businessmen showed encompassed varied niches. Manufacturers of innovative medical products, in the saline solution industry, for instance, expressed their willingness to transfer their technology to the Arabs in order to work in tandem. Fruit from Paraíba – the state produces papaya to soursop – may sell well among the Arabs, says Alaby.
The main industries in the state of Paraíba are footwear and textiles, as well as fruit, sugar and ethanol production. These are exporting industries. The Arab market, however, is not yet very well known in the state, according to Alaby. “But this was one of the initial contacts. The conditions allow for improvement,” claims the secretary general. According to Elianete, the meeting was attended by roughly 100 people, including businessmen, university students, and representatives of organisations and banks.
According to the Sebrae manager, the topic of the Arab market attracted general interest. Aside from questions concerning business and the market, such as tariffs and export requirements, several inquires were made about the Arab culture. The questions ranged from the participation of women in business to the religious issue, such as the production of beef for Muslims in compliance with Halal rules. “It is an exotic region to us,” said Elianete. The meeting took place at the Sesi Theatre.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
