|
|
Topic:Economy, Business and Trade
Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America. Inflation is stable and under control. The economy grew more than 5 percent last year and the future outlook remains strong. Exports have doubled since 2003. Interest rates have fallen steadily, public debt is more manageable, and the country is now a net foreign creditor—the country recently announced that it will set up a sovereign-wealth fund worth US$10-20 billion. Brazil recently earned "investment-grade" status from Standard & Poor's rating agency and is better prepared to face international financial shocks.
Most importantly, stark social inequalities for which the country has long been infamous are being reduced. Much, however, has yet to be done to improve the business climate and resolve the inefficiencies that are generally referred to as the “Brazil cost”. To recognize and evaluate new challenges produced by Brazil’s changing economic landscape, the Institute organized a series of activities and published numerous works on the traditional themes of economic policy reforms, trade and business strategies, and newer topics such as biofuels and innovation.
|
News
Financial Times article by Jonathan Wheatley (07/06/2009)
Brazil to cut back high cost of labour
Brazil’s government is preparing sharp cuts to the country’s very high labour costs as a way of boosting productivity and growth, Guido Mantega, finance minister, has told the Financial Times.
[Read full article]
Article by Paulo Sotero published in Financial Times (07/06/2009)
"History: Stability and democracy are catalysts of success"
Presidente Prudente, a bustling community of 206,000 in the south-western corner of São Paulo state, offers a good view into Brazil’s rise.
From its unremarkable beginning as a stop on the Sorocabana railway when coffee was king, it is now one of two dozen prosperous municipalities at the centre of one of Brazil’s success stories – agro-industry.
Less than one hour to the west, a high-tech ethanol plant is nearing completion. Conquista do Pontal, is one of three plants being built by ETH, a subsidiary of Grupo Odebrech, with Sojitz, the Japanese trading company.
Agriculture has historically been associated with slavery and, in recent decades, with the abuse of workers rights. But, thanks to the rapid expansion of the sugar ethanol industry alongside flex-fuel cars that were introduced in 2003, it is now being transformed into an industry that is emblematic of the South American country’s emergence as a social innovator on the world stage.
[Read full article]
For a PDF version of the entire Financial Times Brazil Survey in which Sotero's article appears, click here
Announcing: The Americas Center of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
The Americas Center intends to understand, cooperate and coordinate with, and respond effectively to changes in Latin American, Caribbean, and Spanish financial institutions and markets. Our mission involves better supervising constituencies, strengthening the Federal Reserve System's and Sixth Federal Reserve District's voice and influence in hemispheric policymaking, and adding value to evolving regional payment processing.
The Americas Center also maintains a comprehensive research and analysis portal, featuring the publication EconSouth, a quarterly economic and business magazine featuring articles on regional, national, and international issues pertinent to the Southeast. The Center also produces much of its content in Portuguese.
|
Events
Brazil's Emerging Economic Power: Now Investment-Grade and Why it Matters
Friday, June 20 2008, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
This event was jointly sponsored with the Wilson Center on the Hill program. It was held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Lisa Schineller, Director of Sovereign Ratings, Standard & Poor's
Nancy Lee, Visiting Fellow, Center for Global Development
Otaviano Canuto, Vice President for Countries, Inter-American Development Bank
Event
Summary |
Book Discussion - Multilateralism, Regionalism and Bilateralism in Trade and Investment: 2006 World Report on Regional Integration
Thursday, April 10 2008, 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
With Philippe De Lombaerde, Editor, and Research Fellow, UNU Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS); Raquel Artecona, Regional International Trade Advisor, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC); And the following commentators: Mauricio Moreira, Integration and Trade Sector, Inter-American Development Bank; Jose Raul Perales, Senior Program Associate, Latin American Program, Woodrow Wilson Center; Chair and Moderator: Kent Hughes, Director, Program on Science, Technology, America, and the Global Economy, Woodrow Wilson Center
Event
Summary |
IV Symposium on International Trade
Friday, February 01 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Three panel discussions will focus on: "Unlocking the Doha Round: Perspectives for 2008"; "Global Warming and Environmental Preservation: What Options International Trade Law Has To Offer?"; "Revisiting the Possibility of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Between the United States and Brazil"
Event
Summary |
Brazil and the United States: Trade Agendas and Challenges of the Bilateral Relationship
Tuesday, October 16 2007, 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Henrique Rzezinski, President, Brazilian Section of Brazil-United States Business Council;
Jason Kearns, Trade Counsel, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives;
Pedro da Motta Veiga, Director, Center for Integration and Development Studies (CINDES);
Maurício Mesquita Moreira, Senior Trade and Integration Economist, Inter-American Development Bank;
I.M. Destler, Visiting Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics;
Jon Huenemann, Vice President, Miller & Chevalier;
Kellie Meiman, Kissinger McLarty Associates; and
Paulo Sotero, Director, Brazil Institute
Event
Summary |
Strategic Scenarios and Interstate Relations in MERCOSUR
Tuesday, May 15 2007, 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The seminar will address current interstate relations among MERCOSUR members with a focus on the nature of recent conflicts, the strategic scenario currently unfolding, and the progress or stagnation of MERCOSUR's integration process.
Event
Summary |
|
|
|
|
Brazil Institute
Woodrow Wilson Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-3027
Email: brazil@wilsoncenter.org
Tel: 202/691-4030
|
|
