The First 10 Years
The first years of BNCC
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The first years the membership fluctuated between 55 and 65 – companies and individuals. Today, we have passed 100 members. This reflects the increased attention Brazil has received through Norwegian companies setting up business in Brazil, but also the increased number of Brazilian professionals in Norway and Brazilian firms wanting to offer their services to the Norwegian business community. The growth from around 60 to 100 members was due to various factors, primarily President Lula’s visit to Norway in 2007, the announcement of the pre-salt discoveries late 2007/early 2008 and the Norwegian government’s development of a Brazil strategy in 2010/2011. Today, we have reached a level which the BNCC present organization still can handle, but further growth will require some strategic choices for the chamber’s modus operandi.
The first year of the chamber – 2002-2003 – was a typical start-up year. BNCC was registered as an Association in Enhetsregisteret (Commercial Registry), bank account and accounting procedures established, logo designed – and later registered as a trademark – promotional flyer produced, website set up and cooperation with Oslo Chamber of Commerce started. 2003 saw 4 membership meetings introducing topics which still today are the most appreciated ones in our meetings – economic and political developments in Brazil and the experience of Norwegian companies in setting up business in Brazil, the first one being Norske Skog. A reception at the residence of Ambassador Cesar de Faria Domigues Moreira at the end-of-the year was a success, a networking event which BNCC in cooperation with the embassy has repeated almost every year. In October 2003 the HM King Harald on a State Visit to Brazil headed a trade delegation of more than 140 people to Brazil. 8 BNCC board members participated and both BNCC and NBCC did profile themselves successfully, with NBCC being responsible for the business part of the official program. 2004 followed the pattern of 2003. Improvements were made to the website. Links to Radiobras’ newscasts in English and regular reports from BOVESPA and DNB were added to increase the information value of the site. Also relations with NBCC in Rio were strengthened and information exchange became more regular. The meetings reflected the interest of the members, with both STATOIL relating their experience and Innovation Norway (previously the Export Council) presenting their new organization and their support services to the industry. |
Growing beyond Oslo
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In 2004, BNCC for the first time ventured outside Oslo by participating at the ONS conference in Stavanger. The links then established with the chambers of commerce in Stavanger – and later Bergen – have given BNCC a wide recognition throughout the Norwegian business community.
2005 saw 5 membership meetings. Topics ranged from Friele sharing their story of 100 years in Brazilian coffee trade through Brazilian eco-friendly furniture designs to Petrobras’ fleet expansion and investment opportunities in Espirito Santo. In 2006 BNCC did however grant its first sponsorship. A group of students in International Business received financial support for a field trip to Brazil to prepare a report on cultural differences in business between Brazil and Norway. Similar sponsorships have later been awarded by BNCC and the Board considers this to be a way to increase enthusiasm for Brazil among future Norwegian business leaders.Board did not see this as part of the BNCC objectives. In 2006 the image of Brazil in the Norwegian mind was hurt by news in media of shady investment schemes in Brazilian real estate, in particular vacation homes in the North-East. To counter this, BNCC organized a meeting on the subject with selected Norwegian real estate developers as speakers. This clarified a series of misunderstandings. At this time the Board expressed concern for the apparent waning of interest in Brazil and the chamber. New inspiration was needed and the arrival in 2007 of Ambassador Sergio Moreira Lima and the visit of President Lula da Silva to Norway in September was just the inspirations we needed. |
BNCC today
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