Brazil Opens Door to Bilateral Trade

On Tuesday, 20 October 2009 in Johannesburg - Fecomercio, the Goods, Trade, Services and Tourism Federation of the State of Pernambuco in Brazil will host a trade mission to South Africa with the support of SEBRAE, a Brazilian development agency committed to the support and development of small and micro enterprises.

Structured as a seminar and business to business networking session, delegates from the State of Pernambuco, in north eastern Brazil, will meet with accredited South African importers and exporters to discuss and negotiate bilateral trade opportunities, spanning several sectors. The forum will include an address to South African business by the Governor of the State of Pernambuco, Mr. Eduardo Campos.

In the midst of a global recession, Brazil's economy has remained remarkably stable. Compared to OECD estimates for world GDP growth, the Brazilian Central Bank's estimates for Brazil paint an encouraging picture for the country and its trading partners. The 2009 world growth estimates are a gloomy -2.7% while Brazil's GDP will neither grow nor shrink, at 0.0%. By 2010 the world can expect growth of 1,2% and Brazil growth of 3,5%,

In 2007 Brazil posted a GDP of US$1,303 trillion, entrenching it as one of the four key emerging economic world powers, alongside China, Russia and India. In the period 2005 to 2007, the north eastern region in particular demonstrated strong growth, above the national average. The State of Pernambuco itself ranks as the second biggest economic centre in north eastern Brazil and in 2007 posted a GDP of US$25.8 billion. In addition, between 1997 and 2005, the region's GDP grew by an average 3%, compared to the country's overall GDP average growth rate of 2.45%.

Adds Mr Josias Albuquerque, President of Fecomercio, and leader of the Mission to South Africa: “Trading with businesses in the Pernambuco region has a number of advantages. Among these are the state's excellent infrastructure which includes world class air, rail and road networks as well as Atlantic seaboard ports like Suape. This port has a modern infrastructure with container terminals for 400,00 TEU per year and a deep draught that enables it to service big ships.

“Pernambuco's private sector has also received a boost from government partnerships, coupled with substantial investment into expanding the state's infrastructure. This in turn has resulted in a stable and sustainable new economic and political environment in the region.”

At the forthcoming trade forum in Johannesburg, local entrepreneurs will meet with representatives of Pernambuco whose interests span the following industries: retail trade; hospital and laboratory products as well as chemicals; office furniture; furniture; food; water and juice; agribusiness; cosmetics; stationery materials (specifically paper); plastic, including water compact stations, sewage compact stations, RPVC tubing for water and sewage as well as reinforced pipes and fittings; and IT. Also represented will be Brazil's AD DIPER, a small business development agency whose mission is to open new markets for the State of Pernambuco's business sectors.

Apart from scheduled meetings with potential partners, South African delegates will receive a thorough briefing on Brazil, Pernambuco and the business and investment opportunities that exist for bilateral trade between this region and Africa. Structured as a seminar, this will take place between 09:00 and 12:00 on 20 October, in Johannesburg, followed by an afternoon networking session.

Speakers include Governor Eduardo Campos, Mr Claudio Marinho, ex-Minister for Science, Technology and Environment of the State of Pernambuco; and Ms Mari Carmen Rial Gerpe, First-Secretary and Head of Trade Section of the Embassy of Brazil in Pretoria.

Topics on the agenda, in order, include: The Opportunities and Modern Relations between Brazil and South Africa; Doing Business and Investing in South Africa; The Business, Investment and Cooperation Opportunities in Northeast Brazil and in the State of Pernambuco; Innovation and Technology in Course to Internalisation; The Know-How of the State of Pernambuco in IT - An Experience of the Digital Port (a Technological Park); and Professional Education - Strategy for Internalisation.

Free of conflict, defender of international laws and promoter of peace and progress among nations, Brazil is a stable country on an extraordinary growth path. Studies by Goldman Sachs indicate Brazil will have the world's fifth largest economy in 2050.

Albuquerque concludes: “We invite South African and African importers, who are potential trading counterparts with companies from the State of Pernambuco in the represented sectors to participate in the seminar and networking session on 20 October 2009. Participation is free to accredited companies.”

Accreditation information is available at www.tradeprojects.co.za. For further information please contact lindi@tradeprojects.co.za.

Venue

Date: 20 October 2009
Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton

Contact: Tami Ewan
Company name:
Telephone number: +27 11 450 2477
Email address info@tradeprojects.co.za