Among the participating nations are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
There will be Brazilian exhibitors in the sectors of agricultural machinery and equipment, biofuels and industrialized foods, which were pointed out by the Apex as having the most promising markets in the region.
Importers from Mauritania, which is an Arab country, were and are being invited, according to information supplied by the Apex press office. However, their attendance at the Brazilian event, named Brasil Agri-Solutions, has not been confirmed yet.
The exhibition will take place on June 9 and 10 in Dakar. On the first day, in addition to the opening, to be made by the Brazilian minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Miguel Jorge, who will be on a mission to the region, there will also be a forum, promoted by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations, on technology transfer from Brazil to Africa, an initiative of the Brazilian administration to help the continent develop.
According to a survey by the Apex, from 2005 to 2008, 1,390 companies in the country exported to West Africa. Approximately half or more, however, are medium and large companies, according to the survey. Nigeria is the country that imports the most from Brazil in the region, with 19%. Mauritania answers to 5% and ranks seventh, tied with Guinea, Liberia and Gambia.
The Apex survey points out that the best business opportunities for machinery are in Nigeria, Senegal, the Ivory Coast and Ghana, and that foodstuffs and beverages have promising markets in Senegal, Ghana, Benin, Mali and Mauritania.
The Mauritanians are increasing their imports from Brazil. From January to April this year, they totaled to US$ 34.5 million, as against US$ 13.9 million in the same period of 2008. The most purchased product was sugar, followed by iron, cement, auto parts and cigarettes.
The target of the mission of the Ministry of Development, which will be in Senegal for the opening of Brasil Agri-Solutions, will be Sub-Saharan Africa and should travel to Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea, from June 7 to 12.
The goal will be to promote an increase in trade and investment. Participants will include minister Miguel Jorge, private sector representatives in the fields of food and beverages, machinery and equipment, information technology, textiles, footwear, energy, defense, infrastructure and mining.
Anba