Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – The Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná (Fiep) intends to promote a trade mission to Syria and Jordan in September. The idea is to take between 10 and 15 businessmen from Paraná to participate in Damascus International Fair, a multisector event to take place in the capital of the Arab country, between September 3 and 12. The statement was made by the general coordinator for new business at the Fiep, Henrique Ricardo dos Santos, who visited the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce yesterday (23).
"We consider the Arab market very interesting for companies from Paraná. It is a market with great potential," stated Santos. According to him, the delegation should participate in business meetings and visit companies in Damascus and Aleppo, in Syria, as well as in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
According to Santos, some companies in the state have already participated in Damascus International Fair and had positive results. Among the sectors to take part in the mission to the Arab countries are those of agricultural equipment, food, auto parts, wooden furniture, medical-hospital and pharmaceutical products.
"Brazilian trade with the Arab countries has been growing, but participation of exports from Paraná is still small. We want to increase sales to this market," stated Santos. According to him, the idea is for the delegation to leave for the Middle East on August 31 and return on September 14. Santos is also studying the possibility of opening taking businessmen from the other two southern Brazilian states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, and also including companies from the southeastern state of São Paulo that traditionally participate in the fair in Damascus.
Paraná
From January to April this year foreign sales from Paraná to the Arab countries reached US$ 134.48 million, a reduction of 12.5% when compared to the same period last year. The main products shipped to the region were meats, wheat, soy, vehicles, wooden furniture and food.
The state imported US$ 4.59 million from the Arabs, an increase of de 4.6% when compared to the same four months last year. The main products purchased were fertilizers, industrial machinery and aniseed.
The fair
Damascus International Fair is already at its 53rd edition. This is one of the fairs that the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce usually participates in. Last year nine Brazilian companies participated in the event. The fair generally receives over 4,000 exhibitors and travellers from over 50 countries. Further information may be collected at the marketing department of the Arab Brazilian Chamber.
Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce Marketing Department
Telephone: (+55 11) 3283-4066
e-mail: marketing@ccab.org.br
*Translated by Mark Ament