Thursday, December 07, 2006

Joao Pessoa - unusual destination in Brazil for Indian Investment

Vijay Electricals from Hyderabad has acquired a transformer making plant in Joao Pessoa in Brazil for about a Million dollars.
Wonder where is it..? One needs to look at the large map of Brazil. It is a small city located in the eastern -most point of Brazil in the state of Paraiba. Population 500,000. About 2000 Kms from Rio de janeiro. One can reach Joao Pessoa without having to go to Sao Paulo or Rio. There is direct flight from Lisbon to Recife, the famous resort town of Brazil. From there just one hour drive. Of course, the Municipality of the city has all the info in its website. Its claims include
- new International airport by 2008
- the greenest city in South America
-the third oldest city of Brazil
- the sun salutes Joao Pessoa first before the rest of Souh America
- and of course silver white sanded beaches

I asked Mr Jai Ramesh the Chairman of Vijay Electrivals, how did he choose this place so remote and unknown. He smiled..Fiscal and other incentives...

Vijay electricals has already started production of transformers in the Joao pessoa plant. They are going to invest more millions of dollars to expand the capacity to reach a turnover of 50-60 million dollars !!. Indian managers have already been positioned there.

How did Vijay Electricals go to Brazil? They had supplied transformers in the past. They had been watching the market and found that Brazilian electrical supplies to homes are going to be increased with the importance given to people-centred development by President Lula.

I salute the venture or rather the adventure of Vijay Electricals and their ambition in the farthest corner of Brazil and wish them success !

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