Brazil Solar Energy Set to Soar – July 2015
The Brazilian solar power market is set to be worth US$1.3 billion annually. With the EU market now more tightly regulated, photovoltaic panel manufacturers have been quick to seize the opportunity.
Last year, the Brazilian solar power market began to open up. This year and thereafter, it will be worth some US$1.3 billion annually, according to industry insiders at the EnerSolar Conference in Sao Paulo.
Brazil is committed to rapidly expanding its solar capacity and China, the major supplier of photovoltaics, would seem its natural partner. It remains to be seen, however, how open the Brazilian market will be to Chinese panel manufacturers.
Brazils furniture makers vow to go global – July 2015
“In the coming years, Brazilian furniture manufacturers will exhibit at many international fairs including Shanghai,” says Michel Otte, President of the Association of the Brazilian High Design Furniture Industry (ABIMAD). As the organiser and promoter of this year’s ABIMAD Show, he is in a better position than most to know.
For much of the past seven years, the Brazilian furniture market has been growing more rapidly than the overall economy, notching up an impressive 6.5% per annum. Only a fraction of that has been exported.
Explaining the industry’s predicament, Otte said: “While Brazil is a major exporter, for several years we ceased to be price competitive. Now we are focusing on patented Brazilian designs, and using sustainable raw materials to make our products unique.”
Brazil House Fair proves learning experience for Chinese exhibitors – August 2015
There was something for everyone at the House and Gift Fair South America – the biggest gift fair in Latin America and the fifth biggest in the world.
For the boys, there were Batman lamps and model planes: for the girls, there were mirrors, chandeliers, and lots of flowers. For the traditionalists, red phone boxes: for the innovative, two-legged orange horses. For the 108 Chinese companies gathered together by CIEC Overseas Exhibitions, there were an estimated 110,000 visitors and the chance to sell to 1,300 exhibitors from 15 countries.
New dawn for Brazil Marine sector after Petrobras cleanup – August 2015
Hit by corruption allegations and excessive bureaucracy over the last 12 months, 2016 may see better times for Brazil’s maritime industries.
“After 10 years of growing at 19% per year, the Brazilian marine industry is going through a period of transition” explained Renan Joel, Director of Marintec South America. “But it can regenerate, and the prospect of creating a positive regulatory framework will benefit everyone along the value chain.”
“The corruption investigation is a big opportunity, particularly for those foreign companies that have not yet done business in Brazil.” according to Jan Lomholdt, Managing Director of M&O Maritime and Offshore Partners (Brazil). “For us and companies used to working transparently, we want the industry to clean up its act and create a level playing field.”
Suppliers brave red tape to target Argentina Medical market – December 2015
Although overshadowed by the Brazilian market and stymied by a sluggish economy, Argentina offers clear opportunities to some international medical suppliers.
But restrictive government regulations make it difficult for foreign companies to enter the market. A trustworthy partner based in the country is required for product registration and, even then, the approval process may take up to a year. So at ExpoMedical 2015, everybody was looking for partners.
Argentine LED importers look for green light – September 2015
Its tough for exporters to Argentina today – the government tightly controls imports and access to foreign currency. All importers must seek approval from the Argentine Tax Authority before ordering imports. Then they need to apply again to buy foreign currency from the government.
On the other hand, the Presidency will change soon. Elections are coming up and all three main Presidential candidates promise to relax or remove the currency exchange restrictions. Argentine and overseas Exhibitors at the BIEL Lighting Show in Buenos Aires were looking to the future.
South American canal projects bridging the oceans – November 2015
The idea of linking the Atlantic and Pacific is as old as The Panama Canal. But the last five years have seen several new projects announced – one of the most ambitious is a freight railway linking the coast of Brazil on the Atlantic to a port in Northern Peru on the Pacific.
But crossing South America at its widest point does not seem the simplest solution to the Panama Canal bottleneck. In central America, several more projects are under discussion, at the planning stage, seeking funding or even under construction – in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia.
No stopping the “Car-Wash” clean up
For three days here on the streets of São Paulo the people have been expressing their views on the future of Brazil. On Wednesday street demonstrators called for the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. On Thursday another crowd gathered to say “No to the coup!” – implying a right wing plot to topple the government.
Today, Saturday, Paulista has a jolly atmosphere, mostly supporting the leader of the corruption investigation, judge Moro. Inflatable dolls of Dilma in striped convicts’ shirt are selling well. The flags, balloons, singing and drumming represent a cheerful Brazilian way of dealing with issues that are actually deeply troubling for the country, its government and its future.
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Continental rail link for cheaper soy
The idea of linking the Atlantic and Pacific is as old as The Panama Canal. A simple waterway through a 90 km sliver of land separating two oceans with Europe and Asia on either side.But the last five years have seen several new projects announced. The most startling of all, a freight railway linking the coast of Brazil on the Atlantic to a port in Northern Peru on the Pacific.
One impulse for the project is to streamline the transportation of soy products from Brazil to China. A rail route followed by shipping from Peru could be 30% less costly than the Panama Canal. Crossing the continent of South America at its widest point does not seem the simplest solution to the bottleneck of traffic at the Panama Canal.
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Time for a change in Buenos Aires
At one end of the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, within sight of the Presidential Palace, Pablo is discreetly offering passers-by “change…cambio…dollars”.
“You understand this is the “blue” rate, not official,” he explains as we walk down a narrow passage off the main road, “we can give you 15 pesos to the dollar.” The official rate is closer to 9 pesos to the dollar.
It is tough for exporters to Argentina today – the government tightly controls access to foreign currency. But Argentina remains dependent on imports, and the government is running out of money to support the double exchange rate.
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Argentina starts the Latin two-step
The Tango, invented in Buenos Aires, is a taut, teasing, intricate dance for two. And foreign businesses looking for opportunities in Argentina can soon find themselves taking the first steps in their own version of Argentina’s national dance. Because in many sectors you can’t go it alone. You need a counterpart.
There are tough obstacles to imports, starting with product registration. Unless you have an office in the country you must appoint an Argentina business to submit your application. You need to find someone you can trust to work with – even then, it may take up to a year. This Buenos Aires conference was a speed-dating event for importers looking for a partner.
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Drought hit Brazil turns to the sun
For three years Brazil has been hit by power cuts, hurting business and creating headaches for the government. The reason – Brazil put all its energy eggs in the hydroelectric basket.
65% of its energy should come from hydroelectric power, but poor rains since 2013 have left the reservoirs half empty.
Now the government sees solar power as the quick, clean way to increase capacity. In less than a year, the solar-voltaic panel market has become worth billions of dollars.
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