Brazil’s nouveau rich reveals the progress it has made
Brazil was known for being a country with millions of its citizens in poverty. That fact is indisputable. It was, remember, hugely indebted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its economic policies and general governance lacked any sort of coherence or focus.
That has changed. As we reported last month, the IMF, once the so-called bastion of financial management, has come to ask Brazil and its neighbours for a lending hand to bailout eurozone countries, whose economic policies have belied the fact they are modern democracies.
Ronaldo unveiled as World Cup ambassador
Considered one of the greatest footballers of his generation and indeed as one of the all-time greats to have ever played the 'beautiful game', Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima – to give him his full name – is a sporting icon revered the world over.
Although he retired earlier this year, it is still hard to refer to him as a former-footballer. After all, still only 35, though no longer at his prime, he technically had a good few years of professional football in him. However, because of niggling, persistent and painful injuries and a thyroid problem – which explained his fluctuating weigh – he accepted that life can be unpredictable and duly hung up his boots.
Role reversal – Brazil now looking to help out IMF
What now seems like a long time ago, before there was any sign of economic degradation within the many complex strands of the financial sector, Brazil demonstrated how it would, in the event of such a financial maelstrom, come out of it fighting and fighting strong.
In 2005, the South American country told the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is made up of 187 countries working to "foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability and facilitate international trade" among other things, that it was planning on paying off its entire debt of $15.5 billion (approximately £8.7 billion) by the end of the year.
Brazil’s important public sector reforms ‘need to continue’
Brazil has undergone a radical transformation over the last ten years, a decade that can be defined as a significant turning point in its history, the 21st century being one in which it finally makes a long and lasting mark on the way the world shapes itself.
This period of change has been evident in all facets of society and no more so than in its public sector. Reforms have not only been welcomed, but greatly appreciated. Yet, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Brazil can further build on these successes by investing more in the mechanism needed to fight corruption.
Brazil aims for sustainable economy
2012 is set to be a big year for Brazil, which is saying something given that every one of the seven years the country was under the stewardship of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, there were seminal accomplishments achieved.
Nevertheless, next year sees Rio de Janeiro host the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, an event that takes place from May 28th to June 6th.
Brazil reports another month of record trade surpluses
Last month, Brazil's development, industry and trade ministry posted its trade results for October. The reaction to the figure was one that can be best described as speechlessness.
The South American country revealed a trade surplus of $2.355 billion for the month, which puts its total figure at $27 billion (approximately £17.24 billion). Some see that figure as lower than what it actually is. The market is pitching Brazil's trade surplus figure for 2011 at $30 billion (approximately £19.1 billion).
Guido Mantega – Brazil’s economic genius and global figurehead
Earlier this year Forbes ran a story on Brazil's finance minister. Its headline ran "Names You Need to Know: Guido Mantega".
That in itself was a big statement. Forbes is one of America's biggest, powerful and most influential magazines, known for its captivating supplements – the Forbes 400 and its annual list of billionaires.
Brazil urged to push ahead with reforms
Greece sighed with relief last week, albeit cautiously and not with any sort of glee, with revelations about the extent of Italy's debt. Cue high tension and drama and the offer of resignation of divisive prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. The closing part of this unexpected turn of events in the eurozone, was the implementation of a new austerity package by the interim government.
Europe, for now, remains cautiously optimistic that from here on things can only get better.
Dilma Rousseff’s great first year
Brazil's first ever female president, Dilma Rousseff, who was elected to the post in a run-off in October last year, is viewed as having had a very successful first year in office, exceeding many people's expectations.
Ms Rousseff, 63, who made history with her inauguration in January of this year, has established herself as a the key figure in transforming Brazil's economy in the run up to hosting the Football World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.
Dilma Rousseff remains tough on corruption
President Dilma Rousseff has made it her mission to challenge corruption in the Brazilian government and it is clear her resolve is not wavering.
Just five months into her presidency, her cabinet faced its first major challenge – allegations that her top aide had received $4 million (£2.5 million) in unexplained income.
