A new business hub has been set up to get more Midland engineering and manufacturing firms trading with Brazil.

The Brazil Business Hub aims to be a “one-stop shop” offering firms a range of support to drum up business in the world’s seventh largest economy.

The project is a partnership initiative between UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), trade association the GTMA and Commercial Doctor, a specialist consultancy with extensive experience in helping companies break into the Brazilian market.

The hub is being launched on January 29, at the GTMA’s Manufacturing Resource Centre, in Alcester, Warwrickshire.

UKTI regional director Paul Noon said the Brazilian way of doing business can be challenging for British firms due to bureaucracy, a complex tax system, employment legislation, under-developed infrastructure and language challenges.

He said: “Brazil is now one of the major opportunities alongside China, India and the USA, for companies looking to expand into world markets. However, Brazil is not a place to make a quick sale. Doing business in Brazil takes time, understanding and perseverance.”

The hub will provide a gateway to UKTI’s services including the Passport to Export programme for new exporters, Gateway to Global Growth, for more experienced exporters and the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS), which puts firms in contact with key contacts overseas.

Several major UK engineering businesses are already present in Brazil including JCB, IMI, BAE Systems, Babcock, Rolls Royce as well as Jaguar Land Rover which is currently setting up a manufacturing plant in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

A West Midland firm which is already reaping the benefits of doing business in Brazil is Staffordshire company Tractive Power, which specialises in battery-powered electric vehicles designed to push, pull and manoeuvre loads of up to 50 tonnes.

The company recently won an order from a major Brazilian aeroplane manufacturer worth £8,000.

Philip Gray, managing director at Commercial Doctor said: “A key tip for doing business in Brazil successfully is to foster personal relationships – the human element is crucial in Brazilian business culture. We are looking forward to sharing our expertise to help firms in the UK succeed in Brazil.”