Brazil trade mission spells out varied bilateral trade opportunities

A business trade mission to South Africa to promote the Brazilian state of Pernambuco has opened the door to further bilateral trade between the two countries. It was structured as a seminar and business-tobusiness networking session, and delegates from the state of Pernambuco, which is situated in the north-east of Brazil, met with South African importers and exporters to discuss and negotiate bilateral trade opportunities spanning several sectors. According to Josias Albuquerque, President of Fecomercio, the goods, trade, services and tourism federation in Pernambuco, trading with businesses in this particular region of Brazil has many advantages. “We have 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 400 000 TEUs per year and a deep draught that enables it to service big ships.” Speaking at the networking session in Sandton, Albuquerque said Pernambuco was a Brazilian hub for the distribution of freight cargo as well as a tourism entry point. “There is variety on offer to South African companies keen to trade with us ranging from retail trade and cosmetics to agribusiness, IT and stationery materials. Pernambuco has also benefited from government partnerships into the region which, coupled with substantial investments, have resulted in the state being stable and sustainable.” Brazil has become a viable option for importers and exporters in recent times having remained stable in the midst of the global recession. Estimates for the country paint an encouraging picture for Brazil 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% while Brazil's growth prediction is 3.5%.