If you are an entrepreneur or small to medium sized business you will find a range of information and expert professional advice you need to do business in Brazil. Need professional advice? Potential investors are advised to consult one of our professional services member firms at an early stage as they will be able to ensure that all relevant matters are identified. To contact our Brazilian member firms, please click here. If you require professional advice in a city not listed, please contact the MSI Secretariat directly.   Brazil Fast Facts GDP (PPP) US$1.838 trillion GDP per capita (PPP) US$9,700 GDP real growth rate 4.5% Inflation 4.1% Local currency Brazil Real (BRL) Exchange rate BRL 1.85: US$ 1 Capital city Brasilia Population 191,908,598 Ethnic groups white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census) Language Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French Religion Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census) Area size 8,511,965 sq km Top import sources US 16.2%, Argentina 8.8%, China 8.7%, Germany 7.1%, Nigeria 4.3%, Japan 4.2% (2006) Top export markets US 17.8%, Argentina 8.5%, China 6.1%, Netherlands 4.2%, Germany 4.1% (2006) Unemployment rate 9.8%

All figures as of 2007 unless stated.

Brazil's economy
Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. Having weathered 2001-03 financial turmoil, capital inflows are regaining strength and the currency has resumed appreciating. The appreciation has slowed export volume growth, but since 2004, Brazil's growth has yielded increases in employment and real wages. The resilience in the economy stems from commodity-driven current account surpluses, and sound macroeconomic policies that have bolstered international reserves to historically high levels, reduced public debt, and allowed a significant decline in real interest rates. A floating exchange rate, an inflation-targeting regime, and a tight fiscal policy are the three pillars of the economic program. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA DA SILVA restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration, LULA DA SILVA announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. The government's goal of achieving strong growth while reducing the debt burden is likely to create inflationary pressures. 

Legal and judicial system
It is based on Roman codes. The judicial system consists of a Supreme Federal Tribunal.

Government
Brazil is a federative republic and has a bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from each state or federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

Information obtained from The CIA World Factbook and Wikipedia, May 2008.