São Paulo – The Khartoum International Fair starts today (01) in Sudan and counts on the participation of three Brazilian companies: Grendene, for footwear; Cotrimex, for construction material; and Serlac Trading, for dairy products. The companies are in the stand organised by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, which is participating in the multisector for the fourth time.
In addition to representatives of Brazilian companies, the stand counts on the presence of the Market Development analyst at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Rafael Abdulmassih, and Foreign Trade assistant Hans Lazarte Lima, who are going to provide support to the companies and help promote the Brazilian market. Catalogues and promotional material of five other Brazilian companies will also be available at the stand, including Imbil, a manufacturer of pumps for alcohol plants and distilleries; Drucklager and Biagio Turbos, both makers of auto parts; Madesa, a furniture manufacturer; and Civemasa, which makes agricultural components.
“The fair is a large meeting point for companies from Sudan and from several other countries that are interested in commercial exchange with Sudan,” stated the Market Development manager at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Rodrigo Solano. According to him, Sudan shows great potential for agricultural production and has been seeking Brazilian investment, an example of which is company Kenana, the leading sugar manufacturing company in the Arab country. “There are many opportunities for companies that manufacture machinery and agricultural equipment,” disse.
According to Solano, although the country has plenty natural resources for farming, Sudan seeks to develop its industrial park in order to process raw materials and transform them into consumption goods for the retail market. Among the main Brazilian products exported to Sudan is machinery, especially for the agricultural industry. Last year, Brazilian exports in the sector totalled US$ 20.5 million, representing growth of 77.15% over 2007.
“The Sudanese food industry is not yet developed to the point of being able to cater to the entire demand by the population, therefore the country imports significant volumes of foodstuffs,” said Solano. The dairy industry, for example, currently ranks second in the Brazilian export basket to Sudan, even though the country had not exported dairy products to the Arab country for two years. Last year, Brazil exported the equivalent of US$ 14.15 million in milk and derivatives to Sudan, representing growth of more than 150% in comparison with 2007.
The establishment of partnerships, according to Solano, is also a strategy for Brazilian companies to reach the Sudanese market and other African markets. The manager at the Arab Brazilian Chamber also stated that the Arab country’s nearness to other markets, which comprise a large number of consumers, is a feature that attracts foreign companies. “The incentives that the Sudanese government provides aim to make the country into a base for operation of local companies, which are already investing in infrastructure and other services,” he added. The fair continues until Saturday (07).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
