You first landed to invest in Brazil in 2004, why Brazil?
I first visited Brazil in 2004 at the invitation of a former boss/friend of mine. What I loved most was finding a sense of freedom. No pressures to conform but instead to be happy with what nature has gifted us. My instincts told me that this place would be my new home someday.
You speak about professionals, how important is the experience when it comes to guidance and cooperation in this geographical context?
As much as it is an exciting place to invest, North East Brazil is also at best challenging and at worse scary. Even knowing the steps necessary as a foreign investor, there can be extremely long bureaucratic PROCEDURES THAT INCREASE THEIR RISK OF INVESTMENT and change the margin of the profit. For example, once someone has made a decision to invest begins the process of opening a company, opening a bank account. This process can take three months or more meanwhile, the exchange rate has probably fluctuated considerably which means the cost of the investment has changed. If a foreign investor does not have the right and trustworthy legal counsel the result can be falling into fraudulent traps.
As a licensed broker in the real estate industry, what can you tell us about the comparison of investment in Fortim from 2004 to 2018? How did this region change as a matter of development?
In addition to the emotional attachment that I felt, one of the reasons that convinced me to invest quickly in NE Brazil was the simple procedures for foreign investments. Once applying and receiving a tax id (CPF) any foreigner can purchase property in Brazil. Additionally, the wonderful climate Brazil offers makes the location attractive to any holiday goer and investor. Today Fortim is a destination for adventurous travelers and investors. Back in 2004, it was a known destination only for Brazilians, most of which came from the capital of Ceara, Fortaleza. Now you can find 5-star hotels, boutique hotels, bed and breakfast, and small hostels, individual luxurious beach houses for rent etc. In this region, the main investors come from France, Italy, Canada Albania, and the USA. Occasionally there are also UK, Norwegian, investors. However, the latter investors have purchased lands and houses via the online system. Today one of the main attractions is the sport of kiting. According to the two main kite schools in Fortim, the weather conditions, geography, and relief of the beach make Pontal do Maceio one of the best places to learn the sport of kiting. There is also an Equestrian school where horseback riding lessons and tours are offered daily. Finally, for those who want to explore the dunes and the beaches of Pontal and of the neighboring villages, there are buggy rides organized daily. For those who love river tours, they may enjoy the daily boat tours organized by local fisherman. You can eat oysters, grilled shrimp, and grilled fish while sipping a caipirinha over the Jaguaribe river.