International Dependence or Independence

We are going through a historic crisis, and although we still do not know its full consequences, one certainty remains: business planning will be completely transformed. This leads us to a topic that is still underexplored—the international market.

As bold as it may seem, we must bring this topic into focus now and, above all, understand the opportunities it presents.

Let us reflect briefly: why should we think about something so long-term and, moreover, outside our own country?

For a moment, let us think about the future—especially the opportunities to align our strategies and expand into new countries (that is, new partners).

This is not optimism, but rather a reflection of movements already taking place in the market. For example, the United States government announced that the drug hydroxychloroquine was on the verge of being approved to combat COVID-19.

This announcement brought a sense of hope to many around the world. At the same time, the Russian government was pursuing its own results with the drug mefloquine, which were achieved just four days after the U.S. announcement.

These two examples highlight the importance of post-pandemic planning, bearing in mind that both discoveries are aimed at treating patients already infected.

So far, a preventive solution has not yet been found, but it is likely to emerge soon, especially given the intensifying global race for a vaccine—one that will bring immeasurable benefits to whoever succeeds first.

It is also worth noting that, during a meeting of the Chinese Communist Party on March 27, concern about the domestic market was evident. As a result, a gradual reopening toward normality—especially in the services sector—has become a reality.

These developments have been encouraging worldwide, particularly for sectors that interact closely with China or depend on it commercially.

The difficulty of leaving the comfort zone remains a major barrier in Brazil, especially since the international market is still underexplored.

Whether due to lack of knowledge or fear, many entrepreneurs see international expansion as something reserved only for large companies—which is a misconception.

Access to international markets has indeed become more “democratized.” What is required is courage and proper knowledge to avoid mistakes that could seriously impact a business—especially in a volatile environment influenced by external factors.

Knowing how to seize opportunities is essential to avoid dependence on already saturated markets and vulnerability to unforeseen events—such as the one we are currently experiencing.

Confidence remains: we will overcome this moment and, together, take advantage of the opportunities ahead—including those in the international market.

Arthur Martinho – International Vice President of IBREI