CCBC opens office in Fortaleza to boost internationalization and bilateral business promotion
By Alessandra Taraborelli
Recognizing the business potential in Ceará and Canada, the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC) inaugurated an office in Fortaleza, Ceará, earlier this month. The initiative is part of a strategy to promote internationalization and foster business relations between Brazil’s Northeast region and Canada, positioning the area as a strategic hub for Brazilian companies.
The decision to establish the office in Ceará was based on its privileged location and robust infrastructure, making it an attractive center for medium- and large-scale enterprises. According to the “Best Cities to Do Business” ranking by Urban Systems and Exame magazine in 2023, Ceará boasts eight cities among the top 100 with favorable business environments. Fortaleza leads the region, followed by Caucaia, Crato, Itapipoca, Juazeiro do Norte, Maracanaú, Maranguape, and Sobral.
Fortaleza stands out due to its strategic geographic location near the Pecém Complex, which features comprehensive infrastructure including an industrial area, port, and Export Processing Zone (EPZ). It serves as a gateway to the Northeast, offering seamless access to international markets and ideal conditions for businesses in key and emerging sectors such as logistics, blue economy, wind energy, infrastructure, and basic sanitation.
“There are shared interests and priorities between Ceará and Canada in fostering collaborative and sustainable projects. With the opening of an office in the Northeast, CCBC aims to share its expertise through an ecosystem specifically designed to promote and accelerate this vital networking between institutions and companies in partnership with Canadians,” says Hilton Reche Nascimento, CCBC’s Commercial Director.
Nascimento also highlighted that, in addition to the areas already mentioned, green hydrogen represents another key area of interest. Canada has adopted policies to promote the production and export of green hydrogen, including tax credits and loans. Meanwhile, Ceará is on track to become Brazil’s first green hydrogen producer. “Canada and Ceará have much to teach and learn from each other. Our office will facilitate this exchange, enabling greater collaboration with fewer bureaucratic hurdles. We are optimistic that bilateral relations will generate essential business opportunities for both parties,” he adds.
The Ceará Chapter will be led by André Menescal and Igor Maia, two seasoned professionals in international business. Menescal is the founding partner of André Menescal Advogados and Executive Director of the Maranhão State Industries Center (CIEMA). Maia brings over 14 years of experience in the energy, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors and serves as President of the Chamber of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment at ADECE and the Brazil-Argentina Chamber in Ceará (CBACE).
“The new CCBC office aims to contribute to the state’s economic and social development by supporting the internationalization of local companies and attracting investments to the region,” explains Menescal.
Maia underscores the importance of CCBC’s involvement in this endeavor. “Having CCBC as a partner not only facilitates entry and operations in international markets but also adds strategic value, reducing risks and optimizing results,” he states.
