Although the economy recorded 4.2% growth in Q1 2011, economists lowered expectations for Brazil’s GDP growth in 2011 to 4.0%. Exports grew by  31.1% while imports increased by 38.1% year-on-year. The Consumer Confidence Index continued a downward trend, dropping to 115.4 in May, reflecting growing caution in the otherwise positive environment. Retail sales growth slowed to 3.9% YoY in March while outstanding consumer loans decreased marginally to 17.7% in April. The PMI reversed its three-month downward trend and registered a slight uptick to 50.8 in May. However, industrial capacity utilization declined to 82% in April and industrial production contracted by 1.3% on year-on-year basis. Inflation remained a major concern as the Consumer Price Index edged up to 6.55% in May, above the 6.5% upper limit of the inflation target. Unemployment decreased to 6.4% in April, reversing a three-month upward trend. Other highlights include:

• The BM&F Bovespa index lost 0.6% in the last 30 days.
• Net foreign direct investment recorded an inflow of 2.9 billion USD in April.
• The central bank raised the SELIC overnight rate by 25 basis points in the last 30 days.

http://cebviews.com/2011/06/14/brazil-economic-indicators-june-2011/

We don´t solve your problems, we outgrow them!  (Carl Jung)

GER has a long tradition of providing trusted Outsourcing Solutions.

Very well done video about Brazil´s momentum!

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed_edition&videoId=living/2010/06/11/doing.business.in.brazil.cnn

June 2011

by Duncan Simester

Six years ago two partners and I opened a small grab-and-go food business. The store was their idea, and it was a smart one: Nobody nearby was offering high-quality prepared meals. The business (which I won’t name because my partners prefer to stay out of the spotlight) has done well. Many customers adore our food. But if you go online, you might think otherwise.

Brazil is the world's eighth largest economy by nominal GDP and the ninth largest by purchasing power

parity. Economic reforms have given the country new international recognition. Brazil is a founding member

Nine Things Successful People Do Differently

8:58 AM Friday February 25, 2011 
by Heidi Grant Halvorson  |

Power Posing: Fake It Until You Make It

We can't be the alpha dog all of the time. Whatever our personality, most of us experience varying degrees of feeling in charge. Some situations take us down a notch while others build us up.

New research shows that it's possible to control those feelings a bit more, to be able to summon an extra surge of power and sense of well-being when it's needed: for example, during a job interview or for a key presentation to a group of skeptical customers.