ECOCITY BRASIL

NEWS ARTICLES AND RESEARCH

Brazil grows robustly, inflation in check-Mantega

Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:15am EDT

* Economy to grow 6-6.5 pct for rest of 2010-Mantega* Inflation rate will fall within govt target by year-end

(Updates with more comments and context)

BRASILIA, June 17 (Reuters) - Brazil's economy will grow solidly in 2010, but a slowdown from the first quarter will allow the government to bring inflation back to target by year-end, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said on Thursday.

Latin America's largest economy grew a massive 9 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2010 and will grow between 6 and 6.5 ...more

Morgan Stanley Raises Growth Outlook for ‘Booming' Brazil GDP

June 14, 2010, 11:07 AM EDTJune 14 (Bloomberg) - Morgan Stanley raised its growth outlook for Brazil's economy this year after the government reported stronger than expected first quarter growth.

Morgan Stanley expects Latin America's biggest economy to expand 7.9 percent this year compared with a previous forecast of 6.8 percent, Marcelo Carvalho, Morgan Stanley's chief economist in Sao Paulo, wrote in an emailed report today.

"The math changes, although our view ahead does not: Brazil's economy is booming," Carvalho wrote.

Brazil's economy is growing at a Chinese-like pace, with the ...more

Good news for property investors in Brazil as economy continues to grow

www.fly2-let.co.uk

June 12 2010

Owners of holiday homes in Brazil should soon be reaping the benefits of increasing consumer confidence and more job opportunities as analysts suggest 2010 is likely to be a better year for the country's economy.

People looking to invest in Brazilian property in the future also have reason to smile as new real estate rental laws have made things much simpler for fly to let property investors and landlords.Brazil was one of the first nations to officially emerge from recession; with latest ...more

Brazil World Cup Preparations on Track, Minister Says

June 15, 2010, 10:07 AM EDTBy Nicky Smith

June 15 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil is on track with its preparations for hosting the 2014 soccer World Cup amid concerns that deadlines may not be met, according to the South American nation's Tourism Minister Luiz Barretto.

"There's always anxiety about the World Cup" and soccer's governing body, FIFA, "gets very anxious," he said in an interview in Johannesburg today. "They had the same attitude towards Germany and the same here" in South Africa. "FIFA set deadlines for the 12 stadia and all the ...more

Brazil Economy to Expand 7.7% in 2010, RBC Capital Markets Says

June 15, 2010, 12:37 PM EDT

By Veronica Espinosa

June 15 (Bloomberg) -- RBC Capital Markets increased Brazil's economic growth outlook for 2010 to 7.7 percent from 6 percent after a "solid start" this year.

The nation's statistic agency said June 8 that Latin America's largest economy grew 9 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, the fastest annual rate since 1995, and 2.7 percent from the previous quarter, "giving 2010 a solid start," Nick Chamie, head of emerging-markets research at RBC, said in an e-mailed ...more

2010-06-09 09:33:01

Special Report: Global Financial Crisis

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's gross domestic product reached 826.4 billion reais (441.45 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2010, up 9 percent year-on-year.

Releasing the figure on Tuesday, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) said it was the country's highest quarterly GDP growth since the institute started reporting GDP figures in 1995.

It also marked GDP expansion for four consecutive quarters, and sent a clear signal that the Brazilian economy's recovery from the international financial crisis ...more

IBM To Open Research Lab In Brazil

June 9th Wall Street Journal

By SPENCER E. ANTE And NATHAN BECKER

In a move that underscores the growing importance of emerging markets and the globalization of innovation, International Business Machines Corp. said it will open a research laboratory in Brazil with the cooperation of the country's government.

The lab, which will help IBM to develop technology systems around natural resource development and large-scale events such as the Olympics, is IBM's ninth research lab and the first in South America. It's also the first new IBM research lab in ...more

Why Beer Can Shortage Means Meirelles Will Boost Brazilian Rate

June 08, 2010, 12:43 AM EDT

By Carla Simoes and Iuri Dantas

June 8 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil is running out of beer cans and farmers are leaving crops in the field as surging demand and Chinese-like growth leads to shortages in Latin America's biggest economy.

Cia de Bebidas das Americas, the region's largest brewer, had to import beer cans for the first time in its 125-year history after local supplies were exhausted. Acucar Guarani SA, the country's third-biggest sugar producer by market value, left 10 percent of its crop ...more

Brazil economic growth surges in first quarter

The Associated Press June 8, 2010, 8:22AM ET

SAO PAULO

Brazil's government says Latin America's largest economy surged in the first quarter on strong domestic demand in the nation of more than 190 million.

The IBGE government statistics agency says the economy grew 9 percent in the January-March period compared to the same quarter last year.

Brazil is bouncing back strongly from the global economic meltdown. Economists and the government predict Brazil's economy could expand 6 percent this year following a slight contraction for 2009.

The IBGE said Tuesday that annual growth ...more

GM to invest $384.6 mln more in Brazil factories

Mon May 31, 2010 4:20pm EDT

* Additional funds to go to plant in Sao Paulo state* Part of long-term plan to increase capacity* Total investment to reach 5 billion reais through 2012

SAO PAULO, May 31 (Reuters) - General Motors [GM.UL] will invest an additional 700 million reais ($384.62 million) to modernize and boost production at a plant in Brazil, one of the world's largest auto markets, the company said on Monday.

The investment will be used to renew the current line of production at the Sao Caetano do Sul ...more

Zell Sees Bargain in Brazil Property on Strong Growth

May 31, 2010, 5:14 PM EDT

By Alexander Ragir

May 31 (Bloomberg) -- Gafisa SA, Brazil's second-biggest homebuilder by revenue, is trading at the lowest level relative to earnings in 14 months after the shares slid 24 percent this year. Guilherme Reboucas, a money manager at Itau Unibanco Holding SA, said the stock is too cheap to pass up.

"There have been times when you had to look at the smaller homebuilders to find value, but now you can basically buy anything in the sector -- Gafisa, Cyrela -- ...more

Brazil stocks, real firm on jobs, euro fears easing

SAO PAULO

Thu May 27, 2010 12:38pm EDT

SAO PAULO May 27 (Reuters) - A surprise drop in Brazil's unemployment rate helped lure investors back to Latin America's largest economy on Thursday, boosting local shares to their highest trading levels in over a week.

At the same time, fears over the euro zone debt crisis, which has prompted a stampede out of riskier assets in recent weeks, subsided after China denied a report that it was reviewing its euro zone sovereign bond holdings.

Unemployment in Brazil unexpectedly fell in April to ...more

Brazil Real Estate Report Q3 2010

www.marketpublishers.com

Over much of the last decade, Brazil's economy has been operating in a virtuous circle that has involved lower risk premia, lower interest rates, a stronger currency, lower inflationary pressures and improved economic fundamentals. This should continue to be the case. Business Monitor International expects that Brazil's economy should expand by around 5% in 2010 and by 4% a year between 2011 and 2014.

Over the recent past some commentators have focused on opportunities for the economy that have arisen because of the awards of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and ...more

Meirelles ‘Confident' Brazil Inflation to Meet Target

May 27, 2010, 4:58 PM EDT

By Michael Patterson and Laura Price

May 27 (Bloomberg) -- Henrique Meirelles, Brazil's longest serving head of the central bank, said he's "confident" inflation will meet the nation's target because the country has already started raising interest rates.

Brazil is seeing "some decline" in exports to Europe as the region's indebted nations struggle to cut budget deficits, Meirelles said in an interview with Bloomberg Television today. The central bank will update its forecasts for economic growth next month, he said at Bloomberg's London office.

Policy makers ...more

Zell's Firm Raising $500 Million to Invest in Brazil Property

By Alexander Cuadros

May 20 (Bloomberg)

Billionaire investor Sam Zell's Equity International is seeking to raise about $500 million to step up investment in Brazilian real estate, betting interest rate increases will fail to stem demand as the economy grows at the fastest pace in two decades.

The firm will invest as much as two-thirds of the money in Brazilian companies tied to the residential and commercial property industries and the rest in countries outside the U.S., Chief Executive Officer Gary Garrabrant said. The new funds will ...more

Brazil Can Grow Without Causing Bubble, Mantega Says

April 22, 2010

By Andre Soliani Costa and Adriana Brasileiro

April 22 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil's economy can grow without spurring out-of-control inflation and with no risk of a bubble in financial markets, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said.

"The economy is growing at 5 percent to 5.5 percent, so it's an economy that is heated, not overheated," Mantega told reporters in Washington today. "There is no risk of a bubble in Brazil."

Brazil's $1.6 trillion economy will expand 5.8 percent in 2010 as domestic demand and investment fuel output, according to ...more

Viewpoint: Brazil's growing international presence

Monday, 24 May 2010 11:41 UK

The Brazilian government's recent mediation efforts to persuade Iran to sign a deal on enriching uranium as a way of allaying suspicions about its nuclear programme highlighted Brazil's ambition to project its influence beyond South America.

Rubens Barbosa, former Brazilian ambassador to the US and the UK, offers his views on his country's growing international presence:

The world has undergone major political and economic changes in recent years. The era of US unilateralism has ended and new centres of power have emerged, a transformation accelerated by the ...more

For Brazil, It's Finally Tomorrow

How the country of the future has at last made it-and what remains to be done

MARCH 29, 2010

By PAULO PRADA

For the past century, Brazil has been a land of great potential-but few results. With runaway inflation and stratospheric national debt, the country was too much of a mess for anyone to take it seriously on the world stage.

How times have changed.

Consider this: In the face of the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression, Brazil's economic output dipped a tiny 0.2% last year, and is expected to grow ...more

Property For Sale in Brazil

Les Calvert March 20th

Come to think of Brazil, and you'll immediately get transported to the football capital of the world! The land of Ronaldos, Ronaldinhos, Peles, and Romarios is the next projected global economic powerhouse. Occupying almost half of the South American continent, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. Considering its vast size, the Brazilian population of around 190 million is miniscule, to say the least. This is because sea-loving Brazilians are mostly concentrated around the coasts. It is estimated that around two-third of the nation's population is situated along the ...more

Lula Unveils Major Infrastructure Investment Plan

Carin Zissis

March 30, 2010

In a move that could bolster the electoral chances of his chosen political heir, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced a massive infrastructure investment program this week. The plan-valued at roughly $880 billion-will be the second stage of the Growth Acceleration Program and is known by its Portuguese acronym as PAC 2. Lula unveiled the plan at a meeting with 1,200 people and his hoped-for successor Dilma Rousseff in attendance. Rousseff's administration would carry out the project should she win the October elections. She steps down ...more

Brazil - A New Superpower in the Americas

By Perla Chaparro on March 17, 2010

EL PASO, Texas - Beyond colorful bikinis and carnivals, Brazil increasingly draws more attention to its emergence as a rising world superpower.

"Brazil must have done something right," said Heitor Santos, specialist in Brazilian politics, in a discussion panel held recently during the second annual Brazilian Festival at The University of Texas at El Paso.

Besides publicizing Brazil's international economic and social influence, its samba steps and Capoeira moves, the annual festival aims to create a greater understanding of the growth and cultural richness of ...more

Brazil's economy adds record number of jobs in Feb

Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:30am EDT

BRASILIA, March 17 (Reuters) - Brazil's economy added jobs for the second straight month in February, creating a hefty 209,425 payroll positions as companies ramped up hiring amid a strong economic recovery, the government said on Wednesday.

The number was a record for the month of February, a holiday-shortened month because of annual Carnival festivities around that country.

In January, Latin America's largest economy added 181,419 payroll positions, also a record for that month. So far this year, 390,844 payroll jobs have been created in ...more

Brazil Tourism Report Q2 2010

Published on March 25, 2010

(Companiesandmarkets.com and OfficialWire)

Brazil's tourism industry has benefited greatly from the announcement of several high profile events to be held in the country. The 2014 FIFA World Cup is set to be a huge draw for visitors and the addition of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will further boost the sector. In January 2010, the government said it would invest BRL1mn to improve facilities throughout the country ahead of the World Cup.

Inbound visitor numbers had been growing but the industry could benefit from greater stability. While ...more

China and Brazil Lead Major Countries With $34.6 Billion Invested in Clean Technology

By LISA FRIEDMAN of ClimateWire

Published: March 25, 2010

China, Brazil and other developing countries are pouring billions of dollars into efforts to reduce carbon emissions and build up renewable energy markets, a trend that some experts say has turned the traditional climate change debate on its head.

A growing body of studies detail the government subsidies, regulatory policies and private investments that have sent money flowing into the clean energy sectors of some of the leading developing countries. The most recent report out today ...more

Big Broadband Brazil

Eric Ehrmann

Posted: March 26, 2010 12:29 PM

With election season underway president Lula's program expanding Brazil's Internet infrastructure has gained credibility across the political spectrum. Regardless of who wins the presidency in October the program helps government and the private sector work faster and smarter. Grabbing first mover advantage among G-20 nations, Big Broadband Brazil is providing high speed backbone for all types of business processes, creating jobs, and securing Brazil's future as an economic and agricultural power.

Lula's strategy, which has seen Brazil's internet population increase from 8 million to 60 million since ...more

Brazil's largest property developer aims to More Than Double Deliveries in 2010

March 26, 2010, 5:07 AM EDT

By Laura Price and Robin Stringer

March 26 (Bloomberg) -- Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos & Participacoes, Brazil's largest property developer, forecast delivering more than double the units it managed in 2009 after fourth-quarter profit jumped fivefold as accelerating economic growth boosted demand for new homes.

The developer expects to deliver 17,000 to 21,000 units in 2010, up from 7,510 in 2009. Net income for the fourth-quarter climbed to 207.7 million reais ($114.08 million), or 49 centavos a share, up ...more

Brazil Real Estate: Top Factors Affecting Growth

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Brazil has been thriving under Lula da Silva who introduced a number of crucial reforms that have led to lower unemployment, a higher PDI and encouraging GDP growth rates. The hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games in 2016 gives Brazil's booming real estate market, as well as other industries, an additional boost. See the following article from Global Property Guide for more on this.

Two major international sporting events are propelling real estate investment in Brazil. The hosting of the 2014 Soccer World Cup ...more

Brazil economy well-placed for election year swings

Tuesday February 23, 2010 09:17:17 AM GMT

BRAZIL-ECONOMY/ELECTION (ANALYSIS)

* Policymakers have more tools to contain volatility* Macroeconomics have become more stable* Uncertainty remains, but is not a looming fear

By Luciana Lopez

SAO PAULO, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Brazil's economy is better-positioned to weather election-year volatility than at any time in the recent past, buoyed by a more solid economic base and a greater range of policy tools.

In recent years, presidential elections such as the one slated for Oct. 3 brought wide swings in financial markets, including stocks and foreign exchange, ...more

Is Brazil The Number One Country In The World For Real Estate Investment?

Friday, August 14, 2009

Billionaire real estate investor Sam Zell is very bullish on investing in Brazil, declaring that Brazil could surpass China's economy in 30 years. Zell, who is regarded as one of the wisest global real estate investors, has frequently touted the benefits of real estate in Brazil. The following article from Property Wire has more on why Zell recommends Brazil so strongly.

World property guru Sam Zell is looking to open a real estate financing company in Brazil as record-low interest rates in ...more

Buoyant demand to stoke Brazil Q4 retail profits

Mon Feb 22, 2010

* Emergence of new middle class boosts retailers * Pao de Acucar net seen up on strong sales; cost cuts ease * Renner seen up on decade's best holiday season

* Hypermarcas best positioned to tap consumer boom By Guillermo Parra-Bernal

SAO PAULO, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Buoyant consumer confidence, abundant credit and strong year-end sales likely spurred a surge in fourth-quarter net profit for three major Brazilian retailers, a Reuters survey showed on Monday. Brazilian consumers helped pull Brazil's economy out of its first recession ...more

Brazil Touts Record Month for Job Creation

February 10th , 2010

RIO DE JANEIRO - The Brazilian economy created 181,419 new formal jobs last month, a record for January, Labor Minister Carlos Lupi said on Thursday, hailing the figure as a signal that 2010 will be a banner year for employment in Latin America's largest economy.

Manufacturing, which was still laying off workers in December, added 68,920 new positions in January.

The service sector contributed 57,889 jobs, while construction firms made 54,330 new hires.

"Strong industry is the sign of the total recovery of the economy," Lupi told reporters. "This ...more

Financial Experts Get More Bullish and see Brazils GDP Growing 5.47% in 2010

18th Feb 2010

Brazilian Analysts from the financial market have elevated the growth forecast for the Brazilian economy this year. According to the Focus report, disclosed this Wednesday, February 16, by Brazil's Central Bank (BC), the estimate for expansion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been raised from 5.35% to 5.47%.

For 2011, the expectation has been maintained at 4.5%.For the growth of industrial production, this year the estimate has dropped from 8.61% to 8.55%. In 2011, analysts expect expansion of 4.85%, the same as previously ...more

Brazil Stocks Gain on Economic Recovery Outlook; Real Advances

February 17, 2010

By Alexander Ragir

Feb. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Brazilian stocks gained, pushing the Bovespa index to its highest level in a month, as commodities rallied and better-than-estimated housing starts in the U.S. eased concern that the economic recovery is faltering.

Vale SA surged the most in three months as investors speculated this year's contracts with Chinese steelmakers will reflect a doubling in so-called spot market prices. BM&FBovespa SA jumped 3 percent on a report that Latin America's biggest exchange is in talks with counterparts in Shanghai, Shenzen and Hong ...more

Brazil Economy Forecasted to Grow More Than 5% in 2010

Central Bank Governor states that Brazil economy is in its strongest macroeconomic position ever

PR Newswire

BRASILIA, Brazil, Jan. 20

BRASILIA, Brazil, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Brazil's economy is on track to grow more than 5 percent in 2010, according to the most recent weekly analyst survey of the Central Bank of Brazil. Speaking on a call with international media and financial analysts today, Central Bank Governor Henrique Meirelles pointed to several macroeconomic indicators showing Brazil's success navigating through the 2009 global financial crisis.

"After several decades of low growth ...more

International Yachts Arrive in the Coast of Piauí

12th February 2010

On the morning of Friday 12th February the representative of the Ministry of Tourism, Segundo Hermano Carvalho gave a newspaper interview on local television, talking about the luxury sail boat race 'Island of the Sun' which will land on the Piaui Coast between the 13th and 19th of this month . "The Piauí coast has extraordinary natural beauty which made the event's organizers choose the location for this luxury sail boat race," he explains. There are 26 boats from countries like England, Belgium and France. "It's the ...more

BRAZIL´S PRESIDENT PLEDGES LONG-TERM STABLE GROWTH

PROPERTY BOND BRAZIL | 17th June, 2008

Brazil´s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has stressed that the country will continue to grow in a stable manner, making it a great location for people considering overseas investment.

Speaking as he and the country were honoured by the Brazilian Stock, Mercantile & Futures Exchange, the world´s third largest exchange by market value, president Lula said that his government´s priority was maintaining a stable growth path in the coming years.

He stated that he had always believed "that Brazil could achieve the current economic conditions" and ...more

Late in, first out

Sep 14th 2009 From The Economist Intelligence Unit ViewsWire

Brazil is the first Latin American country to emerge from recession

Brazil is the first Latin American country to emerge from recession-and one of the earliest among the G-20 countries to have done so-following a 1.9% quarter-on-quarter expansion in economic activity in the April-to-June period. Whereas the global environment remains difficult and the export sector therefore continues to struggle, the strength of domestic demand has propelled the economy to the start of a recovery.

The second-quarter rebound came after two consecutive quarters of shrinkage (1% in the ...more

BRAZIL GDP GROWTH SPEEDS UP TO 1.8 PCT IN 3RD QTR

FORBES, 12.09.08

SAO PAULO, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Brazil's economic growth unexpectedly accelerated to 1.8 percent in the third quarter from the second, the government said on Tuesday, as the country showed signs of resisting the global downturn.

The expansion of the gross domestic product was faster than the 1.6 percent expansion in the second quarter from the first, the government's statistics agency IBGE said.

GDP had been expected to grow 1.2 percent in the third quarter, according to a median forecast of 17 economists polled ...more

Zell ready to get involved in financing real estate development in Brazil

THURSDAY, 13 AUGUST 2009

World property guru Sam Zell is looking to open a real estate financing company in Brazil as record-low interest rates in Latin America's biggest economy boost demand for alternative investments.

Zell, who declared a couple of months ago that Brazil is the 'number one country in the world for investments, is looking for a partner for his Equity International real estate investment company with a view to grow Brazil's 'still nascent' real estate financing market.

The company's, chief strategic officer Thomas McDonald confirmed that ...more

General Motors: Investing $1B in Brazil to produce 2 car models

15th July 2009 - The Washington Examiner

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - General Motors will invest $1 billion to develop two car models in Brazil, despite woes at the company's headquarters in the U.S., the company announced on Wednesday.

The bulk of the investment will go for production of new small- and mid-sized cars at the Gravatai plant in southern Brazil, said Jaime Ardila, president of GM's operations in Brazil and other Mercosur trade bloc nations.

"We'll begin development of the models now and the production will begin in 2012," Ardila ...more

Brazil stocks close on biggest rally in two months

SAO PAULO, July 15, Reuters

Brazilian stocks surged on Wednesday as strong economic data and corporate earnings in the United States lifted investor hopes that a global economic recovery was on the way.

The Bovespa index BVSP of the Sao Paulo stock exchange rose 4.96 percent to close at 51,296.66, the biggest gain since a 5.01 percent jump on May 18.

Analysts said the better-than-expected results from Intel and Goldman Sachs Group helped bolster Brazilian shares as investors generally look to American markets to gauge international sentiment and risk-taking.

"The Brazilian ...more

LATIN AMERICAN MARKETS: Brazil, Mexico Leap To Two-month Highs

July 15th 2009 - CNN

Brazilian and Mexican stocks surged Wednesday, posting their strongest gains in more than two months as prices for commodities climbed and investors on Wall Street adopted renewed optimism that corporate earnings will improve.

In Brazil, the Bovespa rose 5% to 51,296.66, the biggest percentage gain since May 4. The benchmark benefited from a surge in preferred shares of Petrobras and Vale, which have the heaviest weighting on the Bovespa.

Vale (RIO) also staged its strongest rise since May 4, soaring 8.3% after Bank of America-Merrill Lynch ...more

Brazil One of the First to Recover from Global Crisis, Says Minister

July 15 2009 - Newsroom

Brazilian Finance minister, Guido Mantega said Tuesday, July 14, that Brazil is not facing fiscal troubles and anti-cyclic policies are showing satisfactory results. His statement was supported by the latest release on retail sales, for May, which was higher than expected.

Mantega said any worry about the country's fiscal situation is unnecessary, stressing that the fiscal situation had improved in the past few years with the country managing significant primary surpluses and which also enabled to save 0.5% of GDP for the Sovereign ...more

OECD advises Brazil against more fiscal stimulus

July 14 2009 - Reuters

By Ana Nicolaci da Costa

Brazil is already recovering from the global financial crisis but there is no need for additional fiscal stimulus unless activity weakens much further, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said in a report on Tuesday.

Brazil's government has had an "appropriate" response to the crisis but should not implement any more anti-cyclical measures, the OECD said.

The government reduced its primary surplus target for this year to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product from 3.8 percent to free up cash ...more

Brazil's GDP May Shrink Less Than Previously Forecast

Bloomberg, July 13, 2009

By Andre Soliani

Brazil's economy may contract less than previously expected this year, raising speculation policy makers may pause after cutting interest rates for a fifth straight time next week.

Economists covering Brazil's economy predict gross domestic product will shrink 0.34 percent in 2009, compared with a forecast for a 0.50 percent drop a week earlier, according to the median forecast in a July 10 central bank survey of about 100 economists published today. The central bank will cut the so-called Selic rate to a record 8.75 ...more

Dancing through the economic crisis

July 6 2009 - The Financial Times

By Jonathan Wheatley

Francisco Alves and his wife Fernanda have just invested R$70,000 ($35,860), saved up over the past three years, to install new cold-rooms and other equipment at their "micro-distributor" in Recife, north-eastern Brazil.

For two days their 15 saleswomen, earning 30 per cent commission, have been pushing hand carts around the local streets selling Nestlé products - yoghurts, biscuits, coffee - door to door.

They used to distribute a competitor's products but switched to Nestlé because of the marketing and support they were offered and because ...more

Developing World Seen as Engine for Recovery

June 24 2009

After bruising global downturns, the American economy has usually led the world back to growth, but developing countries could be the engine that powers the next recovery.

Despite fears just months ago that they would be among the biggest victims of the financial crisis, emerging giants like China, India and Brazil are set to rebound strongly next year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development predicted Wednesday - as Europe, the United States and Japan lag.

"It's good to have a locomotive out there pulling the train," Ángel Gurría, the ...more

Brazil's recovering economy Ready to roll again

June 11 2009 - The Economist

Among the last to fall into recession, Brazil may be among the first to grow out of it.

"NEVER before in the country's history" is the catchphrase of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that most annoys his opponents. The president, in his selective amnesia, would have voters believe that everything good about Brazil dates from his election in 2002. Even more infuriating for the previous government, which provided the precursors for progress but got no credit for it, he is often right. Take interest rates: on ...more

MASSIVE OIL FIND OFF BRAZIL SENDS BG SHARES UP 5%

The Independent, April 16 2008

Shares in BG Group rose by more than 5 per cent yesterday as it emerged that an oilfield discovered last year off the coast of Brazil could turn out to be the world's third largest.

The exploration company owns a 30 per cent share in the consortium exploring the Carioca field, part of the Santos basin, a potentially huge oil resource 7km beneath sea level in the South Atlantic.

The surge in BG's share price was prompted by Haroldo Lima, head of Brazil's national oil ...more

National Geographic Magazine: Brazil and Nepal ''best for adventure holidays''

Monday, March 23, 2009

Brazil and Nepal have been deemed to be the best destinations in the world when it comes to taking adventure holidays.

This is according to the experts at the National Geographic Adventure magazine, who cast their votes based on a number of different categories.

It was the second time in three years that Brazil had been voted in for adventurers, but it marked the first entry for Nepal.

Brazil was lauded for its easy access to the Amazon, improved infrastructure and near-perfect beaches, the magazine''s ...more