Investing in Brazil

Brazil's diversity places it in a position of distinction in the South American continent and strongly influences the attraction of foreign investment. It is the fifth largest country on the planet, with a population of 180 million inhabitants, responsible for a very promising, predominantly urban, market.

The country has the possibility to overcome the situation of exclusion from the digital world for a large portion of its population (approximately 28 million Brazilians have internet access, the highest rate in Latin America), due to an increase in telephone services, particularly in the case of prepaid mobile telephones. In addition, the development of a specific model of digital television makes the Brazilian market a gigantic laboratory for the use of applied technology.

Furthermore, Brazil has the largest and most diversified system of science, technology and innovation in Latin America, a result of the accrual of accomplishments in the last 50 years, which include the capacity for oil prospection in deep waters and the ability to build aircrafts. Furthermore, the country invests in space and nuclear programs, as well as in new areas currently at the border of knowledge, such as nanoscience, nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Infrastructure and partnerships

Within the area of infrastructure, due to the urgency in the social agenda, the demand for modernization is shared between the State and capital from the private sector, in initiatives known as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). In the Transport sector, the country is improving a multi-modal model and investing in the extension and modernization of passageways integrating airports, ports, railways and waterways. In addition, R$1.3 billion is being invested in 65 airports with the sole intention of increasing popular and tourist access to the country's inland areas.

In 2003, Brazil launched its National Plan for Tourism, which among other activities, plans to attract nine million foreign visitors in the coming years. Today the country is sought after by 4.7 million foreigners, who in their majority seek out the beaches of the Northeast and urban areas in the Southeast. Another angle to be explored is business and fashion tourism: the beach/surf style exports 50 million articles/year, while the shoe industry exports 550 million pairs of shoes/year, attracting businessmen throughout the world.

Opting for Brazil

Initiatives from the private sector and efforts by government agencies have contributed towards encouraging foreign investors to choose Brazil as a prime investment option, as well as providing incentive for investment from within the country's borders through expansion, modernization and restructuring programs in various sectors of the economy.

Some Brazilian Government programs are assisted by partners who can be verified at Investe Brasil, a publicly- and privately - run agency assigned with the mission of attracting investments into the country and through Brazil Trade Net, a Foreign Affair Ministry agency whose goal is to seek and offer abroad business opportunities in Brazil. One further point worth mentioning is the creation of the Office for the Promotion of Brazilian Exports (Apex-Brazil), with the resources and the flexibility to carry out the commercial promotion of Brazil to foreign markets.