GMB – What is your assessment of ICE London 2023?
Witoldo Hendrich Jr. – The impression I have – and talking to some people – this year the fair is bigger than the last pre-covid event. It's surprising. There was a change in structure, as we had large providers with two-story stands and this has decreased. The number of large stands decreased, but the number of smaller ones increased. That's why I notice that there are more exhibitors, and I am very satisfied with the results of the fair.
And how are firm’s business right now?
For Brazil, what we can say is that we are more and more experienced. Payment methods have evolved a lot since the last ICE. PIX practically dominated the market and this is an experience that we have developed over time. In addition, we are showing our growth, since we opened in Mexico, in Peru we are running and in Colombia, too. Here we are not only showing what we managed to improve in Brazil and in Europe and the United States, but also presenting the new markets of Online IPS, Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
That is, adapting more and more to the new regulated markets, which obviously have different characteristics.
Completely different. What we try to do in every country we enter is to have a local office with local staff. We work this way to avoid cultural confusion and localized lack of understanding. I take care of the Brazil office with our people, just as a Peruvian takes care of Peru and a Colombian of the Colombian market. We have our foot planted in each country with whom we know the place, the culture and the difficulties of each country, to deliver a much more fluid product.
Speaking of which, everything depends on good regulation, which is precisely what Brazil lacks.
True. That's what I get asked the most here. This is curious, as since 2016 we have been saying that “it will be now”, standing still for two years until Michel Temer’s Provisional Measure arrived in 2018. What was going to be voted on in 2016 was Bill 442/91, approved in the House on last year and stalled in the Senate. Expectations are always high, but I don't know why things don't happen. This is frustrating for the market and for me, as a Brazilian citizen, it is even more frustrating. Everyone who wanted to operate in Brazil is operating, but I, as a citizen, do not see the tax coming in or consumer protection. This is missing for our reality in Brazil.
And what are Online IPS' plans when that happens?
We already know the market, so we intend to adapt to any requirement that the law or regulation may make in relation to payment methods to offer service to everyone who has a license. For our part, to remain aware of everything that happens in terms of legislation, so that we can adapt our structure, physical, operational and legal, so that we can provide services to any companies licensed in Brazil.
Source: Exclusive GMB
