Centrorochas Strengthens Business Diplomacy Agenda at CNI Forum
Amid shifts in global trade, the association highlights the importance of international engagement in defending industry interests and expanding business opportunities for Brazil’s natural stone sector.
Changes in international trade, marked by the imposition of tariffs and the restructuring of supply chains, have created a growing need for new strategies to strengthen Brazilian industry's position in the global market. Against this backdrop, the Brazilian Center of Natural Stone Exporters (Centrorochas) reinforced its business diplomacy agenda during the Industrial Diplomacy Forum, hosted by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) on Wednesday (November 4) in Brasília.
Represented by its president, Tales Machado, and vice president, Fábio Cruz, the association took part in discussions on investment, trade, and international cooperation, reaffirming its commitment to engaging in strategic dialogue that can enhance the competitiveness and international business expansion of Brazilian companies.
“Today, the decisions affecting our exports go far beyond traditional trade relations. We need to engage closely with those involved in these discussions, understand international developments, and help ensure that the interests of Brazil’s natural stone industry are taken into account,” said Tales Machado.
The forum brought together business leaders, government officials, and ambassadors from eight countries. Among the authorities in attendance were Ricardo Alban, president of CNI; Laudemir Müller, president of ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency); Tatiana Prazeres, Secretary of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC); Ambassador Alex Giacomelli, from Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Danuza Amorim, Director of Internal and External Governance at CNI.
The program featured discussions on investment and business opportunities with ambassadors from Mexico, Sweden, India, and Canada, as well as cooperation in science, education, and technology with diplomatic representatives from China, Chile, Morocco, and Mozambique.
During the forum, CNI also launched the Industry Geopolitical Outlook 2026–2027, developed in partnership with the Center for Global Studies at the University of Brasília (UnB). The publication examines the impact of geopolitical shifts on industrial activity and provides insights to guide business decisions, anticipate risks, and identify opportunities.
According to Fábio Cruz, institutional engagement must be aligned with a commercial strategy that delivers tangible results for companies. “Having a presence in international markets is important, but we need to go further. Relationships with governments, embassies, and institutions should help open doors for our companies, connect them with new buyers, and create the conditions for opportunities to turn into business. That is the kind of result we aim to achieve through our international efforts,” he emphasized.
The event also provided opportunities for discussions on ways to raise the profile of Brazilian natural stone among strategic audiences, including the international financial community.
According to CNI, the forum is expected to become a permanent platform for dialogue between the business community and diplomatic representatives. Contributions from the panel discussions will be compiled into a set of recommendations to be shared with business leaders, government officials, and diplomats.
