Brazil's Columbia Trading company, which has a presence in over 40 countries, deals in commodities and manufactured products, exporting coffee, sugar and cotton from Brazil and importing manufactured products from China.

It is also a provider of logistics services for its parent company, the multinational Grupo Columbia, in its import and export business.

Its expertise and nationwide network allow it to move goods to distributors and clients quickly. The company says that this is what gives it an edge over its competitors.

Brazil has surpassed Russia to become the largest sugar producer, so Columbia Trading is ready to capitalize on this and work with Chinese investors and clients in the purchase and trading of sugar.

The president of Columbia Trading, Rodrigo Somlo, has explained, "Today Brazil produces more than 40 percent of the world's sugar and will work to become the largest supplier of sugar to China, in view of the increasing needs of its population. At Columbia Trading, we're well positioned to meet this demand."

Columbia Trading says that it is looking forward to an evolving relationship with China. Currently, 20 percent of what it imports comes from China and, by 2020, it expects the figure to be much higher. Its imports include electronics, toys, tires, clothing, car parts and chemical products.

"I'm a strong believer in this new Brazil-China relationship and I don't believe it will slow down, although we'll both have to be able to protect our interests and industries while remaining competitive," said Somlo.

rcordeiro@columbia.com.br

www.columbia.com.br

(China Daily 09/13/2011 page26)