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Orchestra Brasil project conducts a trade mission in Latin America

  Four countries will be visited by the Roadshow with manufacturers of supplies for furniture       In an innovative initiative of the Orchestra Brasil project, manufacturers of accessories, finishes, components and technology for the furniture industry will take part in a Roadshow in four Latin American countries. The goal of the mission is to bring them closer to representative bodies, furniture manufacturers, distributors and importers in the markets visited. The trade mission starts on October 24, during Fenafor in Peru. After that, it will visit embassies and hotels in Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. It finishes on November 5.    Each country visited by the Roadshow will have the assistance of a representative of the local press to mobilize the media and opinion makers promoting the Brazilian potential to manufacture not only furniture but also supplies for the woodworking industry. Mercosul countries, traditional trading partners of Brazil, are among the ten top buyers of the products produced by the members of the Orchestra Brasil project.    Peru, the first market to receive the trade mission, is at a turning point to strengthen business partnerships with Brazil, due to growing incomes, international business and the rise of the furniture industry. The Peruvian economy has been growing at an annual average of 7% since 2005, with an expectation of 6% for the next five years – above the average for Latin America. The monthly production of furniture in Peru almost doubled in the last five years and the average annual imports of products manufactured by Orchestra Brasil member companies grew over 15% from 2005 to 2011. However, considering all countries that export to Peru, the growth totaled 20%, showing that there is room for an increase in the Brazilian participation in the Peruvian market.   Argentina was, until 2011, the main destination of Brazilian inputs for furniture, with an average annual growth of 15.4% over the period 2005 to 2011. Although the barriers set up by Argentina have affected bilateral trade in 2012, the negotiations held in the last months are expected to improve the situation by the end of the year. The results in the first half of 2012 have already shown some rapprochement between the two countries. From January to June, Argentina ranked second among the main Brazilian destinations of components, finishes, accessories, chemicals and technology for furniture. Paraguay was the fifth main destination of Brazilian products, with an average annual growth of 26.1% from 2005 to 2011, while Uruguay had an average annual growth of 13.5% in the same period, ranking tenth among the top destinations.   The Orchestra Brasil project – a partnership between the Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves (Sindmóveis) and the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) – dates back to 2003 and promotes the competitive inclusion of suppliers of the woodworking sector in the international market in a sustainable way. In addition to the Roadshow, the project also includes the participation in the most important international fairs of supplier for the woodworking industry.