Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 8/29/2006

Question
Hello,

I am going to Sau Paulo and to Brasilia for two weeks in Sept. Primarly for business and I had a few questions?

1. Where is the best place to exchange currency from dollars? Is it better to have dollars or reales?

2.What is the correct business attire to bring?

3.How would I go about making contacts with Brazilian Real Estate companies to introduce the possibility of working with them on a referral basis here in Miami?
4. Best baragin shopping including flea markets for apparel, similar to canal street in New York?

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Mari

Answer
Hello,

I am going to Sau Paulo and to Brasilia for two weeks in Sept. Primarly for business and I had a few questions?

1. Where is the best place to exchange currency from dollars? Is it better to have dollars or reales?

IM CURRENTLY in the US on vacation with family so do not know what the dollar is trading at.  If I were you, Id just carry a MasterCard or Visa and go to Bradesco or HSBC bank and pull out reals whenever you need them.  You can use your US DEBIT CARDS -- or credit cards with PIN numbers (more expensive for you) to retrieve cash at ATM machines.  I use ATMs whenever i need money.  I never have dollars on me.  You wont need them anyway.

2.What is the correct business attire to bring?

DEPENDS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT.  Who are you meeting? Dress like them.  If you are meeting an executive for Embraer, where a suit, or a sport coat at least.  If you are meeting a director from a coffee company, a mid manager, where nice slacks and a nice shirt, tucked in.

3.How would I go about making contacts with Brazilian Real Estate companies to introduce the possibility of working with them on a referral basis here in Miami?

THAT requires some additional homework on my end and I cannot do that now.  You have to find some that speak English so they can talk to your clients in the US.  If you are meeting with real estate execs, they will most likely be in nice slacks and a nice shirt, sometimes a buttoned up short sleeve shirt.

4. Best baragin shopping including flea markets for apparel, similar to canal street in New York?

In Sao Paulo, you will go to Rua 25 de Marco.  I dont know in Brasilia.



Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Mari