Apex-Brasil will send 900 trade missions abroad in early 2016

On Thursday, December 10, in Sao Paulo, the president of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), David Barioni Neto, announced that 900 trade missions are expected from January to March of next year to show Brazilian products at events abroad. With a sluggish domestic market, the executive believes that this will encourage more exports and could be the path towards renewed economic growth. “We are going to make big investments in trade promotion, because we need to sell and to make sales you need to hit the ground running,” said Barioni when discussing the January to November year-to-date figures on Apex activities.

The data show that despite growth of 14.8% in the total number of Apex-supported companies, bringing this number to 12,212, exports were down by 3.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching USD 55.1 billion. Barioni Neto attributes this drop to depreciation of commodities. The president explained that companies not supported by Apex saw an even sharper drop of 16%. Over half of sales, 54.3%, the equivalent to USD 29.9 billion, were concentrated on ten destinations led by China, with a share of 16.2% and financial volume of USD 8.9 billion. The U.S.A. was second, at 12.6% and USD 6.9 billion. Followed by: Netherlands (5% and USD 2.7 billion); Argentina (3.8% and USD 2 billion); Saudi Arabia (3.4% and USD 1.9 billion); Venezuela (2.8% and USD 1.6 billion); Hong Kong (2.8% and USD 1.53 billion); Japan (2.7% and USD 1.5 billion); Russia (2.7% and USD 1.46 billion) and Egypt (2.3% and USD 1.25 billion).

This year, Apex promoted participation of 84 sectors in 886 events, mostly in the U.S.A., France, Colombia and Germany. Among the fastest growing sectors compared to 2014 are contemporary art, up by 115.4%; specialty coffees (47%); pharmaceuticals (35.2%); automobiles and auto parts (7.75%); and aerospace (7%). Five companies gained partnerships with investments that reached BRL 518 million through negotiations intermediated by Apex. According to the Agency’s National Export Plan, aimed at finding new market niches, there are chances for sales to a set of 32 countries, with business estimated at USD 600 billion.

From 2016 to 2019, exports are expected to rise by around 14% to Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates. This estimate also shows exports growing between 9% to 14% to Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, India, Australia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Uruguay and Nigeria.

Barioni stated that to reach goals for growth in the presence of Brazilian products abroad, Apex plans to train 6,000 companies led by women. The stimulus policy also includes investments in training for university students and special service for three sectors: engineering, biotechnology and highway implements. “We are focusing on exports of engineering services and biotech services, including everything from vaccines to food enzymes, as well as highway implements, such as production of chassis,” says Barioni Neto.