Brazilian Businesses from Campinas Region Ready To Go Global

Dec. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- The President of the Brazil-Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (Brazil-Florida) Jefferson Michaelis,  and the Secretary for Economic and Social Development Rui Rabelo, awarded last week, November 29,  international certificates issued by Florida International Business School to the top entrepreneurs who participated in the Internationalization of Companies (Business Program) in Campinas, conducted through a partnership between the Department of International Cooperation, the Department of Economic and Social Development, and the Brazil Chamber of Commerce in Florida, USA (Brazil-Florida).

Besides Mr. Rabelo, attended the ceremony the director of the Department of International Cooperation, Rodrigo Hajjar and the Consultant and Speaker on Quality Control, Mr. Jose Carlos Nascimento. Among others, Mr. Hajjar and Nascimento contributed very proactively for the success of the project.

According to Hajjar, the objective of these (hands on) classes, which began in March this year, was to clarify the process of foreign trade and help the local entrepreneurs to settle abroad, and develop and internationalize their companies. "We appreciate the confidence of these entrepreneurs and applaud the initiative to participate in this project," he added.

For the secretary, this initiative is important because it bears fruit in the whole country.

This was the first year of the program, which at first was a 'long shot'. Our goal was finalizing the program with five companies and six companies on board, and some small business deals between the U.S. and Brazil "I was wrong to underestimate our potential. Brazilian entrepreneurs are very smart, and eager to build strong companies abroad. We need to take the first step to make things happen. We just did and it worked, "said Michaelis.

To make the project even more practical, a trade Mission was created with the assistance of Mr. Renato Sabaine with the U.S. Commercial Service in Brazil, Mrs Pamella Seay and Kay Tracy with the Charlotte County Government.  27 people representing several companies went to Florida. According to Michaelis, the group was very concise and focused in business, thus leaving among the Americans a mark of professionalism. "As a direct result, many opportunities were created. Apart from the negotiations with the United States, many Brazilian participants like Mr. Jose Edson Santos (http://www.GDSnegocios.com.br), Rubmar Spironello (http://www.sebaolivraria.com.br), Ricardo Barbosa with Carbonic Saude e Nutricao, Sung Tien Lo (http://www.MHSglobal.com.br), and Consultant Carla M. Gagliardi were able to connect their businesses within the classroom colleagues as well.

Lysis Cristinna, one of the business women who attended the project, enthusiastically says: For me, the network was the first reason for her company to participate in the project, which also gave her the opportunity to learn about the laws, obligations and how the administrative sector of American business and culture works. And she adds: "I intend to open a branch in Florida, because the Chamber of Commerce is very supportive. I was even talking to Jefferson Michaelis about it, "she commented.

The project was so successful that plans for 2012 are in full swing. The workshops will resume in March and will follow the same curriculum presented this year. "We intend to redevelop the Business Clinic, and make it happen more often next year, " said Michaelis. In addition, the Project will be expanded to two more cities in 2012.

In 2011, the workshops took place once a month at the Business Education IBE, Getulio VargasFoundation, Rua José Paulino, 1369, at the Center.

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The Brazil-Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, BTCC, is a not-for-profit organization. BTCC has emerged as one of the most dynamic bilateral business catalysts in the nation in recent years.