Franca is one of the most globalized cities in Brazil. Through its traditional manufacturing activities: footwear production (more than 500 factories principally men's but also some women's and children's), leather production (more than 30 tanneries), rubber production (more than 40 shoe-sole factories), and more than 50 years of exportation in these areas, it is no wonder the name of this city is not strange to business professionals around the world.

Furthermore, Franca is an internationally known coffee producing centre that boasts the world-famous Mogiana coffee, which is considered to be one of the best in the world. Coffee exportation is very important to this town and the nearby region, which is the Northeast corner of the State of Sao Paulo and the Central-west side of the State of Minas Gerais.

Besides coffee production there is also a high quality milk production which also is regional, as well as having an abundant sugar cane crop that is however more directed toward alcohol production than sugar itself. And this product is further directed not only for cars as an alternative fuel (ethanol), but also in the excellent production of pinga, or as it is also called cachaça (ca-SHA-sa), which is the national hard liquor drink and is gaining popularity throughout the world.

Franca is in the middle of a region called Alta Mogiana surrounded by smaller cities which contribute to this town's commercial activities. There are many large supermarkets, two shopping malls (one of which is specialized in shoe stores), as well as boasting the recently inaugurated Walmart and Carrefour centres. And most importantly Franca is the home of one of Brazil's largest and most successful department store chains, Magazine Luiza. The main branch of this retail store chain is located in the centre of Franca, and Magazine Luiza with more than 350 stores all over Brazil is part of the history of this community with many projects that help in its cultural and educational development.

Also we mustn’t forget Franca’s tradition in sports. This town is the men's basketball centre of South America. An over 40-year tradition in this important world-wide sport has brought dozens of trophies and championships including state, national, continental, and world. Also the women's football team is the First Division, as well as excellent teams in the areas of swimming, table tennis, track 'n field, and martial arts which include Taekwon-do, Karate, Hapkido, Kung Fu, Capoeira and Judo.

One more even older tradition is especially peculiar to this region and that is its diamond mining. Franca continues to be a diamond centre though this aspect of the town has been played down in the last decades. It once was world famous for diamond-dealing and many potential "mines" are still scattered around this region. However environmental concerns, lack of governmental initiative and clandestine business ventures have obscured this once thriving economic activity.

If you want to know more about this lovely town please don't hesitate in contacting us at franca@francasite.com and as the Francasite director is Canadian/British, emails in English are welcome.
Business queries are also welcome and will be answered and or forwarded.

thanks
John Bolissian
franca@francasite.com
john@john.com.br
www.john.com.br