Economy and Trade

President sounds upbeat note on economy

Dilma Rousseff this week sent an optimistic message regarding Brazil’s economic prospects in 2012, declaring the country will maintain a ‘very favourable’ monetary policy and an ‘advantageous’ credit situation. Read more

Standard & Poor's upgrades Brazilian debt

The soundness of Brazil's economy is indicated by the credit-rating agency’s decision to upgrade the Government's local currency debt from BBB+ to A-, and its sovereign dollar-denominated debts from BBB- to BBB. Read more

Agricultural exports increase dramatically

The total value of Brazil's agricultural exports between January and September was almost 25% greater than during the same period last year, with the soy, sugar-alcohol and meat sectors leading the way. Given the likely rate of expansion of the farm sector over the coming years, Brazil is set to challenge the United States' position as the world's leading agricultural producer. Read more

World Cup expected to provide huge economic boost

Ahead of the draw for the 2014 World Cup qualifying groups, which takes place in Rio de Janeiro on 30 July, Brazil’s Ministry of Sports has predicted that the tournament will inject an additional US$ 70 billion into the economy. Read more

Brazilian agriculture set for continued expansion

A new study predicts that Brazil’s farm sector will expand significantly over the next ten years, challenging the United States’ position as the world’s leading agricultural producer. Brazil is expected to remain the biggest exporter of chicken and beef, and to increase exports of corn, milk and soy by more than 50%. Read more

Brazil says IMF chief must be chosen on merit

Brazil is working with other emerging and developing countries in order to have a greater voice in the selection of the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Read more

Economic surge continues

In a week in which record figures for job creation were announced, the head of Brazil's Institute of Applied Economic Research predicted the country could become the world's fifth biggest economy by 2020. Read more

Forecasts highlight growth potential for Brazilian agribusiness

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply has released a set of forecasts outlining the great potential for growth in Brazilian agribusiness over the coming decade. Read more

Guide to international money transfers

The Central Bank has published an online guide containing advice for anyone making international money transfers either to or from Brazil. Read more

Brazil consolidates investment grade status

The global credit rating agency Moody's has awarded Brazil 'investment grade' status in recognition of the country's economic solidity. It is the third major global agency to have done so in the last eighteen months. Read more

Economy bearing up well in global slump

Brazil's economy shrank less than expected in the first quarter of 2009, raising hopes that the recession will be short-lived. Read more

Brazil and China consider trading with own currencies

Plan would see importers and exporters in the two countries making and receiving payments in reais and renminbi. Read more

Brazil records strong economic growth

At the end of the year it is likely Brazil will have registered GDP growth of around 6% in 2008, and the chief global economist of Itaú bank predicts the country will fare better than most in the global economic downturn. Read more

Brazil to participate in G20 financial summit

President Lula will head the Brazilian delegation at the Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy in Washington. Read more

President Lula advocates financial regulation

For the Brazilian president the financial crisis shows that the state has a role to play in the market economy. Read more

Mercosur and EU hold summit in Peru

EU representatives and the heads of state of the Mercosur countries have renewed their commitment to strengthening their political, economic and commercial relations. Read more

Brazil achieves 'investment grade'

On 30 April the influential credit-rating agency Standard & Poor's promoted Brazil to investment grade, reflecting the increasingly secure environment the country offers to foreign investors. Read more

President defends Brazilian biofuels

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has strongly rejected accusations that Brazil's sugarcane-based biofuels programme is harmful to the environment and a contributory factor in the increase in global food prices. Read more

Brazil's economic growth gathers pace

Brazil's Gross Domestic Product increased 5.4% in 2007, the fastest rate of growth since 2004. Read more

Significant rise in Brazilian direct investment abroad

An UNCTAD report shows that in 2006, for the first time ever, Brazilian direct investment abroad exceeded total inflows. Read more

Brazil-US dispute over cotton subsidies

A WTO panel has ruled in favour of Brazil in the dispute regarding US cotton subsidies. Read more

Brazil hasn't given up on Doha Round, says finance minister

Brazilian finance minister Guido Mantega says Brazil is interested in resuming the Doha Round of world trade negotiations. Read more

Statement of the Group of Four on Trade

G4 Statement on Trade from Brussels: Minister Celso Amorim (Brazil), Commissioner Peter Mandelson (EU), Minister Kamal Nath (India), Ambassador Susan C. Schwab (US). Read more

President Lula says agreement on agricultural subsidies within reach

An agreement regarding agricultural subsidies in the Doha Round of World Trade Organisation negotiations could be reached within a month, President Lula said today. Read more

Government launches economic growth programme

The Growth-Accelerating Programme (PAC) is the biggest investment project in Brazil in the last 40 years. Read more

Brazilian agricultural exports almost double in five years

Figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply show that Brazil’s agricultural exports rose from US$ 24.8bn to US$ 49.4bn between the beginning of 2002 and the end of 2006 – an increase of 99%. Read more

Amorim says Brazil and US share desire for progress in WTO negotiations

Brazilian foreign minister Celso Amorim met with US trade representative Susan Schwab in New York on 3 January. Read more