Carnaval 2014 Project will bring buyers and opinion makers to Brazil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) will bring 314 foreigners to Brazil for the Carnaval 2014 Project, which will be held from February 24 to March 11. The project is carried out in partnership with economic segment organizations and is aimed at capitalizing the significant visibility of Brazil’s Carnaval in the world to attract buyers, opinion makers and foreign investors to Brazil. This initiative will intensify relations between Brazilian and international companies, through business talks and visits to factories and points of sale in various states in Brazil before, during and after Carnaval.

Texbrasil (Brazilian Fashion Industry Internationalization Program, developed by Abit in partnership with Apex-Brasil) will bring international opinion makers and journalists to Brazil during Carnaval to participate in meetings with Rio de Janeiro-based fashion designers.  They will also make technical visits to showrooms to see products by Brazilian companies up close. The group includes: Susan Sabet (Pashion Magazine – Egypt), Lee Carter (HintMag – USA), Hofit Golan (Fashion TV), Bandana Tewari (Vogue – India), Marco Corral (L’Officiel – Mexico) and Julien Neuville (Elle – France).

The Carnaval Project is expected to result in over US$ 340 million in business for the 45 Brazilian companies taking part, in addition to strengthening the international market’s perception of Brazilian products and services. Taking part in the project are 27 industry organizations, promoting products such as beef, rice, crackers, wines, candy and sweets, honey, cachaça, fruit, animal genetics, pet products, software, IT solutions, biotechnology, medical, hospital and dental equipment, medications, cosmetics, fine jewelry and costume jewelry, footwear components, fashion designers, textiles, footwear, sporting equipment, industrial and bread-making machinery, electronics, plastics, showers, flooring, furniture, piping and connections, in addition to design, TV production and audio-visual services, contemporary art, arts & crafts and franchises.

Participants will also see the samba school parades in Rio de Janeiro, in a space prepared to look like a Brazilian home to welcome the guests, with furnishings and décor by Brazilian companies and artists. Food served to guests will also be used to publicize Brazilian products.

The project has been carried out since 2009, with more than 1,500 guests having already taken part, generating business for over 35 sectors of the Brazilian economy.