Brazilian exports to Germany are still far from meeting that country’s current demand and supplying the existing potential, according to the executive director of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil-Germany Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hanno Erwes.
From January to October of 2005, Brazilian shipments to Germany totaled US$ 4.164 billion, 23.34% more than during the same period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Development.
Erwes informed that Brazilian exports represent less than 1% of what Germany imports. The Brazilian export portfolio, he added, includes machinery, parts, chemical products, food, paper, textiles, and manufactured metal items.
"What Germany seeks in terms of goods is supplied by the European Union itself, from which it imports more than 50% of what it needs," he said. "A fabulous market exists for Brazil, since 1% is nothing," he considered.
One of the niches that could be explored, according to Erwes, is organic products, produced without the use of pesticides. Other promising areas are garments and auto parts, as well as Information Technology, which encompasses informatics and computer programs (software). He also mentions the area of alternative energy sources, such as biodiesel and biofuel.
The shortcomings, in his view, have mainly to do with quality and the preparation of small and medium-sized companies, which need to make their prices more competitive in order to participate in fairs and business rounds in Germany.
Erwes recommends the formation of associations built around the transfer of technology for production in Brazil and subsequent exportation.
On Wednesday, November 30, the Brazil-Germany Chamber of Commerce and Industry will sponsor the seminar, "Export Destination, Germany 2005," for the purpose of including small and medium-sized companies in the export effort.
The meeting will take place at the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan).
Agência Brasil
