Successful Delegation to Brazil

Diverse Company Representation at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce
The delegation included a diverse mix of companies: Arboair from Sweden, Cumucore from Finland, Thermory from Estonia, and Amplicam from Latvia. This mix represented the innovative spirit of the Central Baltic region, each company bringing its unique strengths and aspirations to the table. The week was packed with activities designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Brazilian market and its opportunities.

The week began with a warm welcome from Swedcham, which had supported in arranging a full schedule of business activities. The importance of this support cannot be overstated, as navigating a new market, especially one as complex as Brazil’s, requires local expertise and guidance. The initial meetings set the stage for a week of deep dives into various aspects of doing business in Brazil.

Learning from Experts and Building Valuable Connections
One of the highlights of the delegation was a series of seminars and talks at Swedcham. These sessions covered essential topics such as legal aspects of doing business in Brazil, digitalization trends, and cultural nuances. Experts like Alexandre Verri, Sergio Quiroga, and Carol Bötcher provided invaluable insights that helped the companies understand the local business environment better. These sessions underscored the importance of having a local partner to navigate the bureaucratic and legal complexities of the Brazilian market.

Networking was another critical component of the trip. From formal pitching sessions to informal mingling events, the delegation companies had numerous opportunities to connect with potential partners, clients, and industry experts. The feedback from these interactions was overwhelmingly positive, with participants gaining practical insights and forming connections that would be crucial for their market entry strategies.

For instance, Arboair had a significant meeting with Klabin, Brazil’s largest paper producer and exporter, which could potentially open doors for future collaborations. Meanwhile, Cumucore attended the Web Summit in Rio, one of the world’s largest technology events, providing a platform to showcase their innovations and network with global tech leaders.

An inspiring visit to Insper University and reflections on the week
A visit to Insper University’s innovation and entrepreneurship hub was particularly inspiring. The delegation had the chance to engage with students and professors and explore cutting-edge labs. This visit highlighted the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and the role of education in driving innovation.
Reflecting on the week, one of the main takeaways was the significance of personal connections. In Brazil, business relationships are built on trust and personal interactions, making face-to-face meetings crucial. The delegation not only facilitated these interactions but also provided a platform for Central Baltic companies to showcase their capabilities and build trust with Brazilian counterparts.

Conclusion: A Successful Milestone
As the week concluded, it was clear that the delegation had achieved its goals. The companies left Brazil with a deeper understanding of the market, valuable new contacts, and a clear path forward. This success was a testament to the collaborative efforts of all involved, including the mentors, local partners, and organizers.
The Bridging4Growth delegation to Brazil was a significant milestone in our internationalization efforts. It demonstrated the potential for Central Baltic companies to thrive in new markets with the right support and preparation. As we look forward to future delegations, including our upcoming trip to Canada in June, we remain committed to helping our companies grow and succeed globally.

About Bridging4Growth
The Bridging4Growth project is part of and founded by the Interreg Central Baltic Programme. A growth program to support innovative companies from the Central Baltic region to export to new market outside of EU (Brazil, Canada, US & Uzbekistan). The project is run together with Business Tampere (Finland), Tehnopol (Tallinn) and Cleantech Latvia (Latvia).