Representatives of the 61 companies installed at the ABIHPEC (Brazilian Association of the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance –CT&F– Industry) Pavilion of the Cosmoprof Cosmética 2006 celebrated the results achieved in the Association’s sixth consecutive participation in the event, with over R$ 70 million in expected domestic market business and US$ 4.6 million in international sales forecast for the next 12 months.

Ongoing improvements made in the trade show, toward a strictly business-oriented model, have had favorable repercussions. Exhibitors observed that the level of the public present at the Anhembi Convention Center from September 23-26 was considerably higher.

“The proposal we set out to achieve in this edition of the show was successfully brought to fruition, boosted by this extremely favorable moment in which the CT&F Industry finds itself today. In the first half of 2006 alone, gross sales of the industry grew 13.3%, totaling R$ 7.78 billion,” asserts João Carlos Basilio da Silva, President of ABIHPEC. According to Mr. Basilio, the competition among today's trade shows is not healthy for the industry. “ABIHPEC does not act out of any commercial interest; rather, its sole objective is to leverage the growth in business. We have to create a common environment despite the adversities, in order to garner benefits for the industry as a whole. The CT&F industry should unite so that it can continue to grow wholly,” he adds.

The beauty industry also received kudos from Luiz Fernando Furlan, Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce, for its performance in the foreign market. During his visit to the show, Furlan expressed how impressed he was by the dynamic and creative nature of the industry. “An industry that has succeeded in doubling exports in only three years and that will beat the mark of US$ 500 million in foreign sales in 2006 is an excellent example of pursuing the right road,” said the Minister. In the first half of the year alone, exports of the industry grew 26.5% in relation to the same period in 2005.

New business opportunities – ABIHPEC’s participation in the Cosmoprof Cosmética 2006 yielded favorable results for companies with several different profiles. The companies making their debut in the event stressed the large number of new contacts made, while the more experienced companies rated this edition as the most positive up until now. Such was the case of Walmir Paulino, commercial director of Farmaervas. “We made excellent contacts with buyers from countries like Portugal, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and intend to further expand our exports, already representing 30% of the company’ s gross sales,” he exclaimed enthusiastically.

To Eduardo Gil, President of Marcelo Beauty, the attendance by a more qualified public was fundamental to achieving business success: “Our Company has been participating in the Cosmoprof Cosmética since 1995, but this is our first year at the ABIHPEC Pavilion.  The Association provided us with an impeccable structure and promoted our participation in the business round. Marcelo Beauty already exports small volumes to Portugal and Spain, and I know that giving continuity to international market activities requires great dedication and work.”

The business rounds set up between the 22 international buyers brought to Brazil by ABIHPEC, in partnership with APEX-Brasil (Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), and ABIHPEC member companies produced good results, and combined the common interests of these professionals and the pavilion exhibitors. The balance of business gained by project participants had a bottom line of over US$ 9 million in expected business generated solely during the rounds, not counting the US$ 4.6 million in business generated in the exhibit area.

On its way to the third ranking position – According to the Euromonitor 2005 Survey, Brazil now ranks fourth in the world CT&F market, behind only the U.S., Japan and France. Mr. Basilio believes that Brazil is on its way to taking over the third ranking position this year, driven by the estimated 22% growth in gross retail sales.  In 2005, the world CT&F market grew 8.2%, whereas Brazil’s share was 34.2%, the highest among the 10 top ranking counties, earning it a 5.4% share in the overall total.

Press Service:

Sofia Carvalhosa/ Viva Kauffmann/ Fernanda Bonifácio

phone: (55 11) 3083-5055/ email: sofiahc@uol.com.br