São Paulo – Construction material importers from Kuwait, Sudan and Saudi Arabia have engaged in matchmaking with Brazilian enterprises this Thursday (26th), at the offices of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce , in São Paulo. The event is part of the World Cup Project, organized by the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) and sectorial organizations.
Prior to the matchmaking, the participants were welcomed by Michel Alaby, the Arab chamber CEO, and watched a project presentation. “The Arab Chamber is the only Brazilian chamber recognized by the Arab League and the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries, when it comes to issuing export documentation to Arab countries,” said Alaby, who placed the organization at the executives’ disposal.
Malik Alkhatim, general manager of Sudan’s Bafajar Brothers for Multi Activities, has come to Brazil looking to purchase electrical material, such as lighting fixtures, cables, wiring devices etc.
“I hear a lot about Brazilian products. I am aware that the quality is great, now we will see whether the pricing is competitive,” the executive said. The company is active in Sudan and South Sudan and buys most of its product from China, apart from being a distributor of France’s Schneider.
Reginaldo Damião, representing Magnamed, was one of the exporters who spoke with Alkhatim. Magnamed manufactures medical ventilators, especially lung and ambulance ventilators, apart from those used in intensive care.
Damião explains that his company deals with construction companies specializing in turnkey projects, i.e. those involving everything from the project to the purchase of equipment for the hospital or any other venture at hand.
“He works with turnkey projects. They build the hospital and install the products. They have several projects underway,” said the Magnamed executive, noting that he hopes to do business with the North African buyer.
The Brazilian company already sells to several Arab countries, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Sudan.
Sajauddin Amiji, representing Atraco General Trading, from Saudi Arabia, attended the matchmaking round in order to purchase iron, ceramics, wood and other building material. “We buy from several different countries, mostly China, India, Italy and United States. We are looking to diversify our suppliers and to find more product” said Amiji.
ITG Construction, owned by Kuwait’s holding company Sultan Center, is dealing with Brazil for the first time. “We are seeking all sorts of building materials, from wood to glass, from basic materials to specific ones like ceramic, finishes etc.,” said director Munish Gujral.
The company does not import any material from Brazil yet, and its leading suppliers are in the United States, Italy and Germany. According to Gujral, the matchmaking will likely lead to deals being closed. “We are seeking out partners, it is still too early to tell, but I think Brazil has good products,” he asserted.
One of the exporters who are hoping to strike a deal with ITG is Cláudio Araújo, representing extruded ceramics manufacturer Gail. “The matchmaking was very interesting; I spoke with a delegate from Kuwait, a market where we are already active. We have several projects there, and he really enjoyed our product,” said Araújo.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
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