Brazil seeks to boost trade in China

Led by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), a Brazilian delegation represented by over 100 businesses in the industry of food, beverages, trade, and services is in China to take part in the first edition of China’s International Import and Export Fair from November 5 through 10 in the city of Shanghai.

Some 1.8 thousand companies from 140 countries are expected to attend the event—one of the planet’s few import-focused fairs. These firms will be in the race for a share in the $10 trillion the Chinese are willing to spend in the five coming years in the purchase of industrial and agricultural goods.

The delegation also comprises creative economy companies, a sector that has brought recognition to Brazil in such regions as Europe, North America, and the Middle East, especially for design, creativity, and innovation—chief among them editing, games, music, and football.

“Brazil is a creative, diverse, and sustainable country, with globally renowned companies and brands offering avant-guarde technological products and solutions to face the global challenges in our society,” said Apex-Brasil President Roberto Jaguaribe, former Brazilian ambassador to China. He said he is sure that those visiting the fair will be fascinated by what Brazil is showcasing.

Counsellor

Brazil can seize the opportunity provided by this fair to find a more favorable position in the Chinese market, said Minister-Counsellor Xia Xiaoling, from the Chinese Embassy in Brazil.

“China has 1.3 billion consumers, and this is a huge market that Brazil cannot afford to disregard,” she added.

Commodities account for most of Brazil’s exports to China, but the diplomat pointed out that Brazil can offer a lot more. China, she went on to argue, is willing to buy a number of other products—like Embraer planes, Brazilian wines, cachaça, dairy, and garments, like sandals, as well as biofuels, and flexible-fuel vehicles.