Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce

The Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen international relations and commerce between Canada and Brazil. Maintaining strong relationships with both countries, the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce works closely to identify membership, investment and trade opportunities between these two economically powerful nations.

Raul Papaleo, President of the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce, stated that annual trade between Canada and Brazil has now reached about $7 billion, a notable increase, but still relatively small when you consider that the combined GDP of the two nations tops $4 trillion. Over the last four to five years, investment has increased, so expecting a future trade increase between Canada and Brazil is only natural.

“The trade is very small, but now we have the space and the patience of both governments to increase the level of trade,” Papaleo said. “Our role in this is to foster the increase in trade and increase in investment between Canada and Brazil.”

Beginning in 1973, the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce works to secure business memberships. Last year, the chamber had 67 corporate members and that figure has since doubled—a sure sign that the group is kicking its goals in networking and building contact companies and people interested in conducting business in and between both locations

Investing internationally

Opportunities exist for Canadian companies to operate in Brazil, and opportunities exist for Brazilian companies to operate in Canada. The Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce provides the information necessary that allows these business operations to prosper in foreign nations.

In maintaining this flow of intelligence, the chamber has forged close ties with federal governments in both nations, as well as the ministries of foreign affairs .
“The first and most evident sector that presents opportunities for companies in both countries to join or to establish their own operations in the other country is information technology and communication,” Papaleo said.  “This is the most evident opportunity, but we have large opportunities in terms of size of projects in the infrastructure area.”

Notably, opportunities exist in research and development, engineering, and manufacturing, particularly in Brazil. This allows for Canadian organisations to offer their expertise in these areas, such as assisting in building infrastructure there. With a need for new roads, highways, airports and buildings, Brazilian cities must remodel to accommodate for traffic requirements.

What other opportunities exist for Canadian companies operating and investing in Brazil?

In Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, overwhelming population and traffic has driven demands for a monorail, rail-based transportation, to increase efficiency and reduce congestion. The value of such a system is more than $1 billion, Papaleo notes. Monorails represent a ‘new era’ way of thinking in terms of transportation, and also tie in with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy conservation and efficiency, and clean energy.

There are also opportunities in Brazil to become involved in oil and gas extraction, with more than $60 million outlined for future investments in new oil wells, allowing the country to become the first- or second-largest oil producing nation in the world, according to Papaleo.

Energy sector development

Ease of operations between the two nations is also fruitful because Canada and Brazil are similar in many ways, Papaleo says, however he feels Canadian businesses can to help Brazil-based companies become more advanced in renewable energy production, such as wind energy and solar energy. It is an area he expects will see much growth in Brazil over the coming two to three years, partly because Canada is considered an advanced nation in terms of renewable energy and production.

Brazil has committed to sustainable means, through clean-tech energy and energy sources. These represent a Canadian growth sector and an area of opportunity and expertise where Canadian organisations would be able to assist those in Brazil.

“Our goal is to offer access to resources and network opportunities for anyone interested or active in investment or trade amongst Canada or Brazil,” Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce states.

“No matter the size of your business, joining the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce is one of the best investments you can make.”

The Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce seems more growth ahead, and has an aggressive target for growing its corporate membership; something it feels only adds further value to its core operations.

The chamber strives for a 50 per cent increase in trade and investment over the next two years, while it is also hoping for a repeat performance in doubling its member size.

To Be Canada, an organization that identifies and supports business opportunities in Canada and Brazil, and was featured in the October issue of IRJ sister publication, The Canadian Business Journal, is a member of the Brazil Canada Chamber of Commerce.  

www.brazcanchamber.org