Brazil Post begins “internationalisation” with office in Miami

Brazil Post has confirmed that it has begun its planned expansion abroad, with its first international office set to open in Miami early next year. The state-owned postal service was given the powers by Brazil’s Congress just over a year ago to, for the first time, open offices outside of national boundaries.

Brazil Post (Correios), one of the largest postal companies in the world, has an eye on increased international business, making the most of the emerging Brazilian economy.

It said the establishment of its office in Miami, Florida’s largest city and a key trading and cultural centre for Latin America, will be supported by APEX, Brazil’s Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments.

The office will initially be an exploratory unit to help the company continue its internationalisation strategy.

“The internationalization of Correios aims mainly to seek new business opportunities in markets for logistics and fulfilment, and provide support to Brazilians who are abroad,” the company explained.

“The process will also enable the extension of already existing partnerships with local postal operators for the delivery of traditional correspondence.”

Brazil Post, which hosts next year’s World Mail and Express Americas event in Rio, said Miami had a “strong relationship” with Brazil, with both a large presence of Brazilian residents and a large annual influx of Brazilian tourists.

Last year alone, Florida received more than 1m tourists from Brazil.

Brazilian media have reported that Brazil Post’s internationalisation strategy could also involve the acquisition of Portugal’s national postal operator, CTT Correios, which is up for sale as the Portuguese government looks to raise cash and cope with the liberalisation of the country’s postal market.

Reports have claimed Brazil Post is interested in starting up postal banking operations in Portugal.

Last year’s Brazilian postal reforms granted Brazil Post the power to buy other companies (or stakes in other companies) for the first time, as well as its international operating powers.