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Please take the time to see a short interview we undertook with Antonia Koumantaropoulou, organiser of one of the largest real estate exhibition and networking events in Brazil.  Full contact details and booking information can be found at the bottom.

1)  Can you give our readers an outline of the ‘Nordest Invest’ event coming up in May? Nordeste Invest is an annual B2B event where investors throughout the world come to Brazil to discuss projects with the most reputable Brazilian real estate and tourism professionals.  Through a session of pre-arranged one-to-one business meetings they are introduced to developers, form partnerships with construction companies, network with a wide range of real estate consultants, and form better relationships so that business can be done.  The event, which is also a conference and an exhibition, concentrates on providing quality information on investing in real estate and tourism in the Brazilian northeast region.

2)  What sort of talks will attendees be able to see and will there be networking opportunities? There are a variety of panels during Nordeste Invest all topics are listed on the Nordeste site but to give a few examples:

3)  Over the last few years, there has been an increasing amount of interest in the North East of Brazil – why do you think this is so? Brazil is experiencing remarkable economic growth and the country’s GDP is forecast to climb to 5% in 2010 as its domestic consumer market increases.  Brazil currently enjoys a £140 billion cushion in foreign exchange reserves. The positive Investment Grade Ratings (Investment Index) that Brazil received from the three agencies: Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor and Moody’s, provides additional reassurance for foreign investors that Brazil is a safe place in which to invest.  For example Natal in Rio Grande do Norte (one of the 9 capitals in Brazil’s Northeast) has a shortage of 130,000 houses. In order to attract foreign investment to Rio Grande do Norte, the government is investing R$ 1 billion to improve infrastructure (roads, hotels, public transportation) and also to build the largest airport in Latin America.

4)  Is the event limited to residential investment opportunities or would there be other opportunities as well? As the Nordeste region’s main activity is on its coastline, it has tended to focus on residential and hotel development.  Nordeste Invest is a leading annual tourism investment event. This year’s three-day event will unite the most important Brazilian and International names in the tourism industry. Among this year’s confirmed participants are senior members from Marriott International Inc, InterContinental Hotels Group, Starwood Hotels, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Accor Hospitality, Intercity Hotels, Blau Hotels & Resorts and Brazil Hospitality Group BHG.  Each year there is increased representation of retail, office and mixed use projects which are largely centred on the capitals of each of the nine states.  International interest in supplying facilities, equipment and logistics for industry has seen this sector grow, too.

5) Are there specific parts of the North East of Brazil that the event is focusing on or would it be throughout? The event covers the whole of the Northeast region which is made up of nine states: Rio Grande do Norte (where the conference is being held this year), Ceará, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Bahia, Sergipe, Piauí and Maranhão.   Professionals travel from all over Brazil to attend this event so there is representation from the major cities such as São Paolo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília.

6) What should investors be doing to limit their risk when investing in the north east? Here are some thoughts:

• The banking system is one of the safest in the world. All foreign investment is subject to registration at the Central Bank of Brazil, but no preliminary official authorisation is required for the remittances of funds relating to investments in Brazil;
• Get advice from ADIT and other professionals in the country (the more you get the better);
• Avoid mega-ventures, especially away from major cities and non-consolidated destinations;
• Evaluate the local market and network with other investors;
• Be conservative in the preparation of masterplans;
• Use brands that add value;
• Use local partners to reduce risks and time.

7) Are there any plans to have events in other parts of the country? Yes ADIT organises various workshops and technical visits within Brazil throughout the year and is represented at the annual São Paulo Real Estate fair.  Nordeste Invest moves between the nine states each year, and next year’s venue will be announced during the opening ceremony of NI 2010 on May 10th.

8)How can readers find out more information and book tickets for the event? ADIT’s representatives in the UK are Tideway Communications.  Please contact kerry@tidewaycommunications.com for more details.  Also visit www.nordesteinvest.com.br or www.aditnordeste.com.br.  The Nordeste Invest site registration page is at www.nordesteinvest.com.br/inscricoes-en.php

9) What would you suggest to those who cannot make it, but are still interested in investing in the north east of Brazil? ADIT – through the Brazilian Government Agency APEX -  runs an investor programme which encourages people who are serious about investing in Brazil to find out more and get help.  Visits can be arranged throughout the year.  Please contact Tideway Communications on +44 20 8878 0787 or kerry@tidewaycommunications.com in the first instance for more information and so the right person can be found in Brazil to service their enquiry or request.