Brasil Trade Mission comes to Africa

The Brasil Trade Mission to Africa 2009 aims to introduce and facilitate trade between local importers and Brazilian exporters by providing importers with the opportunity to establish relations and explore business opportunities with their Brazilian counterparts. The scheduled B2B meetings will take place on the morning and afternoon of Thursday, 3 September 2009, between 9am and 1pm, and 2pm and 5pm.

TApex-Brasil president, Alessandro Teixeira, will participate in the event. Teixeira, who has international academic, and business and technological development experience, is also president of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA); executive secretary of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO Brazil-UK) and executive secretary of the CEO's Forum (Brazil-USA). Teixeira was last year nominated Personality of the Year (Latin America) by the Financial Times.

About 50 Brazilian companies plan to participate in the Brasil Trade Mission to Africa 2009, meeting with trade groups from Africa and South Africa over two days with an aim to increase trade and knowledge exchange between the countries for mutual economic benefit.

“Brazil has developed excellent technology in many sectors, in social and economic climates not unlike those in Africa. We are in a position to share these insights with South Africa and the rest of the continent and similarly, South African and African businesses have much to offer us. In order to capitalise on these opportunities, especially during these trying economic times, we need to first share information as to the prospects available and then look at how best to take advantage of them. Apex-Brasil is committed to strengthening trade relations between Brazil, South Africa and Africa,” says Teixeira.

At the Brasil Trade Mission to Africa 2009 focus will be on eight of Brazil's export sectors, including auto parts; building materials; clothing and textiles; cosmetics, toiletries and fragrances; food and beverage; footwear; furniture; and agricultural machinery and equipment.

For more information, email Lefkia Swart at or go to www.tradeprojects.net. Appointments with Brazilian exporters will be scheduled for successful applicants.