Group to explore diversification opportunities in Brazil’s market

. Unfolds business mission plan

TO further exploit alternatives under the diversification agenda, Infoplus Business Services (IBG Nigeria) in collaboration with Nigeria Brazil Centre for Business, has concluded plans to embark on a business mission to Brazil.

   The mission is designed to assist interested businesses in developing joint venture partnerships in retail business, economic housing development, agribusiness, as well as harness opportunities in Brazil’s local content policy in the oil and gas sector to develop technical and strategic alliances.

    According to a statement made available to The Guardian, the choice of Brazil is timely as Nigeria grapples with the reality of falling oil price, rising unemployment and increasing rate of poverty and as the Federal Government continues its efforts to re-jig its key sectors especially agriculture.

   The mission, which is scheduled to hold between May 31 to June 6 2015, would see participants visiting four cities in Brazil namely Rio de Janeiro, Porto Allegre, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo.

    “Brazil has been nicknamed the food basket of the world and has earned global recognition as a result of its agricultural technology for tropical weather, heavy investment in innovation and sophisticated service industry among others that qualified its membership in the BRICS countries. 

    “Its model of sustainable development based on robust economic growth with income distribution, social inclusion and job creation has transformed the country into an economic powerhouse with a forecast by the World Bank to become the fifth largest economy in the world.

     “Brazil’s success in agriculture and agribusiness, its premiership in deep sea oil drilling technology, its capacity and creativity in information technology and software services, affordable housing program, robust market for retail franchising in clothing and cosmetics are good reasons to join the trade mission to Brazil this year. These sectors form the areas of focus for the business mission. Women entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend”, the statement read in part.

      Preparatory to the mission, the group noted that it would hold a seminar in its ‘Open for Business’ series tagged Showcase Brazil slated for March 25, 2015 at the Resource Place, Ikeja, Lagos.

   According to the group, the seminar is expected to highlight the economy, travel and culture of the people of Brazil, while interested participants are urged to take advantage of the workshop to register for the mission.

   In its highlight of events, the group explained that the President of Rio de Janeiro Industrial Federation (FIRJAN) is expected to open the event and unveil Brazil’s action plans for Nigerian market.

   “A group discussion on unlocking the opportunities in Brazil for the Nigerian market will follow. On the same day, there would be conference papers to be presented on ‘Sustaining the principles of international trade, the Nigerian market, and its challenges, way forward for Brazilian investors’.

   “Other papers to be presented on the day include Opportunities in Technology for Oil and Gas, Innovation and Development in the Brazilian Equipment and Information Technology Industry and lastly, ‘Facilities for Import and Export-Funding projects in Nigeria’. 

   “Business to business matching would be arranged for participants while in-company visits would be organized on the second and third day to Porto Alegre and Minas Gerais respectively”, the group added.

   Some of the dignitaries expected at the four-day event include the Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, HE Adamu Emezozo, the President, Rio de Janeiro Industrial Federation, the President, Apex Brazil (the Brazilian Investment and Export Promotion Council), the President, Cotrijal- Expodireto (Agriculture and Agro Allied), and the Managing Director, Softex, an oil and gas company, BNDES (the Brazilian Import Export Bank), Petrobras, and Brazilian Association of Franchising.