SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - World Trade Center São Paulo hosted in February a delegation of the Turkish Natural Stones exporters, led by IMIB (Istanbul Mineral Exporters' Association) interested in exploring business opportunities in Brazil. IMIB put together a program to visit São Paulo before participating at the Vitoria Stone Fair, the biggest trade show of the natural stones in Brazil. The objective of the visit to São Paulo was to include the biggest consumer market of the country in the route and deepen the approach to the market.

Due to the middle class income increase in the last decade in Brazil, a construction boom has been taking place, and since then, the search for new flooring options, mainly made of marble and travertine, attracted international companies interested in supplying the Brazilian market.

Then, IMIB requested the World Trade Center São Paulo to organize a business-to-business roundtable for the Ten Turkish Companies, with architects, marble mill owners, construction companies and distributors in the WTC Events Center on February 17th.Over 100 meetings took place in the roundtable.

From Left to Right: Mr. Alexandre Ladeia, Managing Director of Marmogran, Mr. Cemal Batıbay, Owner of TMG Dogaltas and Mr. Turgut Tabak, Commercial Advisor of the Consulate General of Turkey in São Paulo.

The Turkish companies noticed a strong interest of the Brazilian counterparts and some companies has placed orders for immediate shipments. Over 100 meetings with 26 different participants were eventuated; the same group is planning to return to São Paulo in order to deepen the relationships in this regional market.

The World Trade Center São Paulo develops internationalization strategies to the local and foreign companies, aiming to prepare, promote and connect them to actually make fruitful business in the targeted market.

For more information on this article, please contact Sergio Filho, WTC Sao Paulo, at sergio.filho@wtcclub.com.br.