"The roundtables were very positive. The outcome was excellent," said the executive director of the Brazilian Association of the Manufacturers of Medical and Dental Products (Abimo), Hely Maestrello.Â
The volume of business deals arranged at the event surpassed the initial forecasts of Abimo and of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil) by 15%. The number of negotiations also rose from 496, last year, to 540 this year.
According to the executive director, this edition of the business meeting at Hospitalar also surprised the organizers, because the companies closed US$ 120,000 in business deals during the roundtables. "This is rare, as there usually is an entire 'dating' process before the wedding," joked Maestrello.
The number of participating countries at the meeting also grew 10% in comparison with the previous year, totalling 17 countries from South and North America, Asia, Africa and Europe. According to Maestrello, the Arab countries also constitute a target market for exporter companies at Abimo, so much so that every year the organization participates in fairs for the medical-hospital and dental sector in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
In the second half, Abimo's foreign actions are turned to the Eastern European market. The organization is going to participate in a mission to the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Poland.
Of the 14 foreign companies that closed deals during Hospitalar one is based in Sudan. "The businessmen left the fair very pleased with the Brazilian products," stated Maestrello.
The Arab company placed an order for 38 products made by two Brazilian companies, WEM Equipamentos Eletrônicos, which specializes in electrosurgical products, and Indrel, a maker of refrigeration products for the medical-hospital sector.
According to the executive director, this was the Sudanese's first trip to Brazil. "He enjoyed our product quality and was also impressed by the organization of the fair and the hospitality of the Brazilians," said Maestrello.
In order to increase Brazilian exports in the medical-hospital and dental sector, Abimo and Apex sustain the Integrated Sectorial Project (PSI), comprised of 152 companies. These are the companies that usually take part in buyer projects and international fairs.
Last year, exports by the sector totaled US$ 525 million, representing growth of 14% in comparison with 2006. The leading destinations for the Brazilian products are United States, Argentina and Mexico.
The projections of Abimo indicate that within two years, foreign sales should exceed US$ 1 billion. In 2007, the sector posted revenues of US$ 3.74 billion, growth of 21% compared with the previous year. Last year, the sector generated 31,300 job positions.
Anba