Abipa looked to the marketing and communications executives from its member companies to develop its work and put its ideas into practice. With that new position, it adopted the form of shared management: sharing ideas, exchanging experiences and teaming up with executives in various positions and with different skills. All at the same time.

Foreign Trade
It is responsible for attending international treaty negotiations, for promoting trade, investment and economic relations between Brazil and foreign markets. Among the most notable among these are North, Central and South America, Africa and Europe. Asia, the Middle East and Oceania are emerging economies. The committee, represented through Abipa, forms part of a select group of representatives of organizations which can monitor government during international negotiations.

Import duty exemption
One of the Abipa team's toughest jobs is the reduction of duties on imported equipment and raw materials. The import duty exemption committee seeks to make possible the reduction in duties on capital goods where there is no available national substitute, aiming at modernization of the Brazilian market and a positive return for the whole productive chain.

Forestry
The forestry committee aims to reinforce a policy of social responsibility and of environmental conservation, as well as strengthening the commitment of member companies through continual activity aimed at sustainable development and new ways of spreading the message of forest advancement. Because of its
important role in that market, Abipa it is represented on the board of directors of Conaflor - Commission for Coordination of the National Forests Programme.

Logistics
Here, specialists in the areas of transport and exports look after all the logistical 'bottlenecks': road, sea and rail transport. These professionals have expertise to highlight all the barriers to exportation by top Brazilian producers, such as a lack of containers, of ships, of road and rail logistics and high freight costs.

Marketing
Consolidating the image of Abipa is one of the objectives of the marketing committee, which works to point out the best forms of communication. Prompt action and well directed messages make all the difference when releasing information and making announcements to a segment so specific in the market.

Technical Standards
Do you know the terminology used to lay down norms for behaviour and communication. Well, that is precisely what the technical standards committee is involved in. Apart from standardising the national industry terminology and testing procedures, the group defines specifications of accepted values in terms of properties, taking account of application demands and quality criteria.

ABIPA formed working groups composed of managers in different areas of activity. By involving professionals from its members companies, ABIPA enhanced the quality of its business and is establishing a cycle of improving results for everyone.