Gulf Construction Online - Expansion focus

The Big 5

The Brazilian stand ... well attended.

Expansion focus

01 October 2012

THE Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, together with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), is taking seven companies to The Big 5 in Dubai this year.

These companies will exhibit everything from construction machinery and ornamental rocks to sanitary ware and locks.
“Of great regional importance, the fair attracts buyers, investors and representatives from construction sites in Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain. It provides an excellent opportunity for Brazilian entrepreneurs interested in expanding their business in this sector,” explains Michel Alaby, the director-general of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.

At the Brazilian stand, visitors will be able to check out the latest products of the exhibiting companies including Astra for bathroom accessories; Deca for ceramic and metal sanitary ware; Menegotti for construction machinery; Pado for padlocks and locks; Tramontina for stainless steel sinks and washbasins; Pettrus Mineracao for ornamental rocks; and Universo Tintas for paints and varnishes.

Tramontina is participating for the second time at The Big 5. “We realised that the trade show is a good means of making contacts, as it receives visitors from various countries in the region. Therefore, we decided to participate again,” states Lucia Dendena, the company’s exports manager.

Besides Tramontina, Deca, Pado and Menegotti have also participated in previous editions of the show.

Every year, the trade show consolidates the Arab chamber’s role in supporting Brazilian entrepreneurs, according to Alaby. “In 2011, we reached about 2,500 businessmen throughout the Gulf region and countries in Africa, Asia and Europe,” he says.

In the last edition, it is estimated that the participating Brazilian companies made business deals worth $7 million.

Last year, Brazil exported $40.93 million worth of construction materials to the Arab world, an increase of 51 per cent compared to 2010, when sales reached $27.15 million. The highlights were iron or steel bars, which increased by over 1,000 per cent; and pipes and accessories, with an increase of 69 per cent, he says.

The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce represents 22 Arab countries. It was established in 1952 with the mission of strengthening commercial bonds between Brazil and the Arab countries, while increasing cultural and tourism exchange between Arabs and Brazil. The entity provides various services, such as document certification, market data, translation, among others, and promotes events, workshops and courses. It also offers the Commercial Knowledge Centre, a reference centre for research on commercial relations between Brazil and the Arab countries.

Since its creation, the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has participated in The Big 5 over the past nine consecutive years and has introduced more than 100 companies to the Arab market.