São Paulo – Members of the Tunisian business mission that is in Brazil this week visited the headquarters of the São Paulo State Supermarket Association (Apas), in the city of São Paulo, this Tuesday (3rd). They expressed interest in learning more about the business opportunities brought about by the trade show promoted by Apas on an annual basis. “Brazil is a priority for Tunisia, and fair such as Apas’ may be an important shop window,” said the president of the Tunisian Export Promotion Center (Cepex), Abdellatif Hamam.
The Tunisian businessmen committed themselves to considering the possibility of taking part in the 27th edition of Apas, due May 2011, and should contact the Brazilian organization again before the year ends. In addition to Hamam, the Apas headquarters were visited by Sofen Meddeb, president of the Groupement Interprofessionnel de Fruits, which representatives the country’s fruit growers, and Tarek Yakhlef, the International Relations director of the Tunisian Industry, Trade and Handicrafts Union (Utica). The Marketing vice president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Rubens Hannun, who is also the honorary consul of Tunisia in São Paulo, accompanied the group.
“If they are willing to sell their products in Brazil, they have come to the right place,” said Apas’ international business executive, Patricia Oliveira. According to her, this year’s edition of the Apas fair received 72,000 visitors and 550 exhibitors, with a business turnover of 4.5 billion reals (US$ 2.5 billion). “In the 68,000 square metre exhibition area, participants have access to trends, novelties and innovative solutions,” she said.
“During the event, supermarket owners and suppliers may expand their contact networks and establish new partnerships, which are key to future deals,” she claimed. “If they want to exhibit in the international area, they will be welcome,” she finished off.
The Apas fair has a special space for international exhibitors, which has been occupied by businessmen from Turkey, China, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador. Patricia told the group about the Buyer Project, held in 2009 by the Arab Brazilian Chamber in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex).
The group of Tunisian businessmen also visited the headquarters of the São Paulo State Investment and Competitiveness Promotion Agency (Investe São Paulo). “São Paulo has many areas with excellent investment opportunities, and we want to travel to the Arab countries in order to present these opportunities,” said José Roberto de Araújo Cunha Jr., the director of Investe São Paulo.
According to him, the state has the most diversified industrial park in the country, and holds a share of over 40% of total Brazilian revenues from services and trade. The state is also the leading consumer market in Brazil and houses 22% of the national population, i.e. approximately 41 million people.
“One of the state’s differential is its logistics and transport infrastructure, which features the most modern Brazilian roads, the country’s leading airports, and Latin America’s largest container terminal, which accounts for 25% of the Brazilian flow of trade,” said the executive.
According to Hannun, the main reasons for the coming to Brazil of the Tunisian business mission were Brazil-Tunisia Business Council meeting, held Monday at the Arab Brazilian Chamber headquarters, and seeking new business opportunities between the two countries.
On Wednesday (4th), the delegation will follow a schedule in Rio de Janeiro, including a meeting at the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan). On Thursday (5th), the businessmen will return to Tunisia.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
