A buyers’ project and textile show, the Destination Africa expo in Cairo, Egypt on November 11 and 12, had been organized by the government of Egypt.It had also invited Brazilian buyers. The representatives from Brazilian textile mills Círculo, Fiama and Damenny joined it after being selected by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate of Egypt in São Paulo.

On the show’s first day, the Brazilians visited stands and spoke with prospective suppliers. On the second day, they attended a conference with local textile industry specialists and learned about the local market.

The Brazilian buyers who went to were pleased with the prospects of doing business as a result of being at the event. The textile industry show featured 100 to 120 businesses from Egypt and other African countries.

Arab Chamber International Business executive Fernanda Baltazar, who travelled to Egypt alongside the Brazilian buyers said that itwas a small, but highly focused industry show. It was helpful in order for the Brazilian companies to become familiar with the market and to demystify it.

This was sourcing manager Giovani Pacheco’s first time in Egypt. Hailing from Gaspar (SC), his company Círculo makes yarn for hand-weaving. He claims it was important for him to get to meet many of his commercial liaisons – besides prospecting for new partners in the Arab country.

Pacheco said that face to face talk is much more legit than sending out an email or making a phone call. It helps to build a closer connection. This has been a great experience for Círculo. According to him, the company imports some 10 tons’ worth of yarn per year. He explained that they use Egyptian yarn in our embroidery work.

Besides building rapport with suppliers, the trip to Cairo might mean new deals for the company. Pacheco said that he was now in talks to import finished items from Egypt. He hadn’t been aware of thattype of product which he learned about it at the expo.

Fernanda Baltazar said that although no actual deals were closed by the Brazilian executives at the expo, many doors have been opened. She explained that that was good for meeting people and getting in touch with them one-on-one.

The Arab Chamber executive convened with the organizers of Destination Africa and is now outlining a new buyers’ project for the upcoming edition – the organizers guaranteed that the show will happen again in 2018.