São Paulo – The 29th edition of the Khartoum International Fair starts next Wednesday (25th) in Sudan. Up until February 1st, Brazilian food, agricultural machinery, rubber product, and even warehouse construction companies will showcase their products at the multisector event, which highlights business opportunities in the African country. The Brazilian booth is organized by the Brazilian foreign ministry (Itamaraty) and by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce . Participants will also attend meetings with local businessmen.
Baldan Implementos Agrícolas, KeplerWeber Industrial, Indústrias de Borrachas N.S.O., Brazilian Sudanese Agribusiness, Diplomata S/A, Irriger, and BR Foods (BRF) will be the exhibiting companies from Brazil. Of these, three are going to the fair for the first time ever, which is good according to the Arab Brazilian Chamber CEO, Michel Alaby. “This means they are betting on the local market, which offers myriad opportunities. In addition to the fair itself, the businessmen will pay visits to the three largest companies in Sudan and attend meetings in the country, with backing from the Brazilian embassy there,” said Alaby.
To the Sudanese ambassador to Brasília, Abd Elghani Elnaim Awad Elkarim, the fair is an opportunity for enterprises willing to enter a market which is developing at full tilt. “Brazil is an important partner in Sudan because of its excellent experience, especially in agriculture and food security,” he says.
He claims that in order to break into any area of the Sudanese market, businesses must invest in quality, first and foremost. “Prices must also be competitive for all companies. We value the good standards that Brazilian enterprises pursue.” The diplomat claims that the industries in which the country needs the most investment are agriculture, machinery, paper, wood and shoes.
Elkarim adds that Sudan needs companies to invest in the country. This would help it to develop. He claims that Brazilian oil and iron ore companies could be successful by investing in extraction there.
The Foreign Market vice president for BRF, which owns food brands Sadia Perdigão, Antonio Augusto De Toni claims that the company is not active in the Sudanese market yet, but wants in. For such, it will take part in the fair to present its product line, and its representatives will meet with potential partners and clients. He stresses, however, that some protectionist measures and the small local industry prevent the access of “high quality, low cost products” that Brazil could eventually supply. “We are seeking partners to distribute our products in Sudan, and thus open up other investment opportunities in the country, creating jobs and income,” he says.
The Export and New Markets manager at grain storage and transport company KeplerWeber, Antônio Carlos Campos claims the enterprise will seek a trade partner in Sudan. “We are setting out to expand our activities in the African continent, to promote our company and prospect for trade-oriented partnerships, and to find a company that will represent Kepler in Sudan,” he says. He believes the separation between Sudan and South Sudan will lead to further business opportunities, because the two countries have different features and the company already has representatives within the southern neighbour. “We may seek a more regionalized alternative for Sudan, trade-wise.”
Brazilian exports to Sudan amounted to US$ 97.2 million in 2011, a figure 3.22% lower than 2010’s, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. The main product shipped was sugar, at US$ 54 million, followed by wheat, agricultural machinery, poultry and spraying devices. These products combined account for 82.5% of all Brazilian shipments to Sudan. Imports, on the other hand, stood at US$ 63,000. Brazil mostly imported plants (US$ 44,000) and resins (US$ 10,000).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
