STORY: Brazilian businessman eyes greater opportunities in China's Xiamen
SHOOTING TIME: Sept. 24, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:15
LOCATION: XIAMEN, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/MARKET

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Caldeira and his company
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARCOS CALDEIRA, Brazilian businessman
3. various of the company
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MARCOS CALDEIRA, Brazilian businessman
5. various of the company
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MARCOS CALDEIRA, Brazilian businessman

STORYLINE:


Marcos Caldeira, a 38-year-old Brazilian businessman, came to the coastal city of Xiamen in east China to learn Chinese in 2013.

Inspired by the city's entrepreneurial environment, Caldeira started his own company focusing on stone trade between China and Brazil.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English) MARCOS CALDEIRA, Brazilian businessman
"Because back (in) my hometown, which is very famous for the stone business. So when it came to China, to Xiamen, I also realized Xiamen is like the "stone city" of China, so just put all together. We have so many colors, different kinds of materials, marble, granite, which can fit into many different projects. And one of the reasons why I decided to open my company in Xiamen. First, the Xiamen government also helps us a lot to boost our business. Plus we have the Xiamen Port that also helped us for the export and plus the import."

Xiamen is one of China's largest stone import and distribution centers.

Caldeira's company has become one of the largest stone exporters in Xiamen to the Brazilian market.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English) MARCOS CALDEIRA, Brazilian businessman
"I think what helps us the most was that we get this more close business (relationship between) China, Brazil since 2017. We can see our business booming since the BRICS (Summit) was held in Xiamen. Well, I think the potential for Chinese market is great. About domestic market, which we have here our warehouse, we also increase, expand our business in Chinese market, with like almost 3 times bigger (than the previous year)."

Caldeira believes that with the inclusion of five new members to BRICS this year, there will be more opportunities ahead.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English) MARCOS CALDEIRA, Brazilian businessman
"I think these five new countries, they are, first of all, they are welcome, and they can bring a lot of opportunities for business, (and) also cultural exchange. We always see China as a key member of the BRICS. And China makes us feel safe when it's talking about business because it is a very serious country that tries not only to develop themselves, but develop other countries that they are cooperating with, which I think is very important."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Xiamen, China.
(XHTV)