Brazil firms to hold business rounds in Chile, Argentina

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) is taking to Chile and Argentina 62 Brazilian companies that are starting to export and received training for foreign trade. In Chile, executives will take part in rounds of business to be held by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at the LAC Flavors, a gathering of firms in the food industry.

In Argentina, the business rounds will involve the machinery and equipment sector, in addition to that of food and drinks. Some firms will participate in both stages, and others will choose a single country. According to Apex Business Director Márcia Nejaim, despite the difficulties, like the economic crisis facing Argentina, Brazil has been able to identify business opportunities in the neighboring country.

“In spite of all the crisis our countries have been going through, you still account for 50 percent of our exports in South America,” she stated, adding that the electoral landscape in Brazil also brings about uncertainties, but “a long-term vision” is necessary. “In foreign trade, you can’t leave space empty. If you do, someone else may come around and occupy it,” she said.

Nejaim explained that the number of companies interested in training programs on export has increased, which she associates with the economic crisis in Brazil. “We saw the interest of companies in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Even though the economy is more stable now, this persists. We had a record of 6 thousand firms this year. Last year, they added up to fewer than 3 thousand.”

Apex has 10 offices outside of Brazil, in eight countries, Nejaim reported. China and the US have two. The agency also conducts local intelligence work with the embassies. Initial training for those interesting in exporting—an initiative dubbed Qualification for Export Program (PEIEX)—lasts six months. Next comes a specific training course on the market desired.