Small- to medium-sized Georgia firms interested in finding business opportunities in Brazil have been able to turn to the Brazilian-American Visitors Bureau for help since the end of last year.
The bureau, which is a private Georgia corporation, opened its doors in Atlanta in 1992 at the same time as the Brazilian Consulate General temporarily closed here. The two-man bureau headed by Paulo Mello, director of international affairs, first offered services to Brazilian companies and tourists interested in learning more about the U.S.
But when the Brazilian Consulate General reopened last fall, the bureau began offering its services to U.S. companies that have a renewed interest in providing goods and services to the country’s 170 million residents.
Mr. Mello, a native of Recife, Brazil, told GlobalFax in an interview in his office at 173 W. Wieuca Road that he already has worked with several companies on projects ranging from cross-cultural awareness to market research in Brazil for a U.S. mall developer.
Brazilians are more entrepreneurial today and looking for opportunities to do business with foreign firms, he added, because of the government’s economic reforms and the development of common market areas.
As an example, he pointed to college graduates who in the past often wanted to work for multinational companies but now are equally interested in opening their own firms.
Mr. Mello said that the bureau also maintains close relations with the newly established Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. For more information, he may be reached by calling (404) 843-9966; fax, (404) 843-1223.