The state of Paraná, in the South of Brazil, is promoting the 1st Seminar on Foreign Trade Sustainability and Potentialities in order to present business opportunities in certain potential markets.
The event was organized by the Institute for Planning of Foreign Trade Promotion (IPPEX) of the Federation of Trade and Business Associations of the State of Paraná (Faciap).
The seminar is being held on the sidelines of the 1st Hemispheric Convention on Port Environmental Protection of the Organization of American States (OAS), which started Wednesday in the city of Foz do Iguaçu.
"This large event comprises the seminar on foreign trade, in which we are going to showcase the potential of markets such as Russia, Italy, China, South Africa and the Arab countries," said the coordinator of the IPPEX, Adriana Cordeiro.
According to her, in addition to Brazilian businessmen, the seminar will be attended by Argentines and Paraguayans, due to the nearness of Foz do Iguaçu with Argentina and Paraguay.
Aside from lectures about markets, the seminar will also approach matters such as Brazilian foreign trade within the context of the international crisis, the role of the Agenda 21 in the strengthening of trade and industry, internationalization as a competitive strategy for micro and small businesses, export financing mechanisms, among others.
The lecture on opportunities in the Arab market will be given by the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, who will approach themes such as Challenges of Becoming a Transnational Company, Motivations for the Transnationalization of companies, Internationalization of Brazilian Companies, as well as the economic profile and existing opportunities in Arab countries.
"This is an event focusing on sustainability, therefore I am also going to address the environmental concerns of Arab countries, citing cases such as Masdar and Irena," said Alaby, referring to the city in Abu Dhabi that will be developed in a fully sustainable manner and the International Renewable Energy Agency, which will provide consultancy on renewable energy.
According to Adriana, the Arab market is among the potential markets for the IPPEX, so much so that one of the plans of the institute for the second half is to prepare a seminar on the Arab countries and South Africa.
From January to June, exports from Paraná to the Arab countries totaled US$ 439 million, representing growth of 6% over the same period last year. The main products shipped were chicken meat, corn, sugar and soy.
Imports from the Arab countries by the state decreased from US$ 228 million in the first half of 2008 to US$ 38.36 million in the first six months this year. Superphosphate and its derivatives are the main products imported.
Anba