The first commercial mission to Guatemala by Franchising Brasil — a sector internationalization program carried out through a partnership between the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) — resulted in US$3.380 million prospecting new business for the delegation of Brazilian companies made up of the brands Acquazero, Buddha Spa, Corpo Bueno, Doutor Sofá, Global Franchise, Grupo SD, Kumon, Biomagistral and Avatar Dogueria.
Held between the 6th and 9th of May, the delegation participated on the first day in the morning of a soft landing workshop organized in partnership with the Guatemalan Franchise Association. In the afternoon, there were presentations from the Shopping Associations and the Brazilian Embassy in that country. After a networking lunch with local partners, the first technical visit took place at the Genba food brand Distribution Center.
The second day was equally intense. In the morning, the delegation made technical visits to the Moto Shop VRC and Al Macarone units. The lunch was offered by the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce. During the afternoon, Brazilian franchisors participated in a workshop focused on economic opportunities in the country. Later, there was a meeting with potential local investors, in which each Brazilian company made its presentation, followed by a networking cocktail.
On the third day, the activities continued. In the morning, we visited the Guatemalan branch of the Sobrancelhas Design franchise and the Cantel home products store. After a break at Café Gitane and lunch, the delegation explored specific locations for possible Brazilian franchises in Cayalá. The last day of the program was dedicated so that Brazilian companies had free time to delve deeper into specific markets.
“Brazilian companies had the opportunity to establish valuable connections, explore the local market and identify several expansion opportunities in Guatemala”, says Bruno Amado, International Projects Manager at ABF and executive manager of Franchising Brasil. “The technical visits and meetings with local investors opened doors for future partnerships and promising businesses. We are very pleased with the impact and reception that our brands received in the country”, he concludes.
About Franchising Brasil
Franchising Brasil is a project aimed at supporting the internationalization strategy of Brazilian franchise networks and their commercial promotion in the main international markets. The initiative is a partnership between ABF and ApexBrasil, which works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investments to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy through commercial promotion actions. To participate, simply download and fill out the accession form available on the website and send it to [email protected].
About ABF
Founded in 1987, the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) is a non-profit entity that officially represents the Brazilian franchise system. Its mission is to defend, promote, and foster the sector, nationally and internationally, so that it remains prosperous, sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and ethical. With over 35 years of history, ABF enjoys great prestige and a consolidated image in the market, also being the headquarters of the Ibero-American Franchise Federation (FIAF), leader of the World Franchise Council (WFC) Task Force, member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), and responsible for the world’s largest franchise fair, the ABF Franchising Expo.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investments to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diverse commercial promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and adding value to Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits by foreign buyers and opinion leaders to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand.