Sao Paulo: International Mining is attending M&T Expo 2009, which includes the 5th International Trade Fair for Mining Equipment, is demonstrating the resilience of the Latin American market in these difficult times. The event, taking place in São Paulo, Brazil, shows strong growth, 25%, compared with the previous event in 2006. “We have had to open another three pavilions,” explains Afonso Mamede, President of Sobratema – the Brazilian Association for Technology in Equipment and Maintenance – the association responsible for M&T Expo. He also said that Latin America has not suffered as much as many other regions in the global recession.
The organisers of the show, which also includes the 7th International Trade Fair for Construction Equipment, estimate that the number of visitors over the week will exceed 42,000, coming from all over Latin America. The show covers 52,000 m2 and has over 420 exhibitors (a 50% increase), with many others left on the waiting list unable to get space at the exhibition. There are exhibitors from 28 different countries. Asian countries occupy 20% of the total area, 15% more than M&T Expo 2006, with a large presence from Chinese companies.
“For the first time, Latin America is being perceived as part of the solution to the problem due to the enormous demand for infrastructure works that exists and that must be satisified in developing,” said Mário Humberto Marques, supply and Equipment Director at Andrade Gutierrez. He also suggested that perhaps the measures taken by developed countries to circumvent the global crisis will begin to produce results which should bring about a renewal of growth, even before the end of the year.
Paulo Oscar Auler Neto, who is in charge of equipment acquisition for Odebrecht, says the show underscores the importance of the fair to his company. “In the past, if we wanted to get to knw equipment that was made in Asia, for example, we had to travel abroad. With the size of this fair today, we will be in contact with the very latest in equipment engineering worldwide right here in Brazil.”
Mamede was not surprised by the success, noting that demand for M&T space was still very heated, despite the world recession. The last six years have seen continuous growth in equipment sales in Brazil.