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1994-05-02
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<text>
<title>
Brazil: World Trade Outlook
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
World Trade Outlook 1992: Brazil
Export Opportunities Grow As Reforms Produce Results
</hdr>
<body>
<p>By Robert L. Farris
</p>
<p>Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello and his
Administration are pushing ahead with a program of market-based
economic reforms similar to those that have proven instrumental
to the recent economic successes in countries such as Mexico
and Chile. The reform program is beginning to produce modest
results. During 1991, Brazil's economy grew only slightly, 0.8
percent, but reversed the dramatic, 4.6 percent contraction in
gross domestic product in 1990. Again in 1992, economic growth
likely will be slow, perhaps 1 percent, as the country continues
through its program of painful, but necessary, economic reforms.
</p>
<p>U.S. exports 1991--$6.2 billion U.S. imports 1991--$6.7
billion
</p>
<p> To encourage greater competitiveness and attract foreign
investment and technology, the Collor Administration is
implementing measures to make it easier to do business in
Brazil. Collor has lifted most import barriers, implemented a
program to lower import duty rates from an average of about 25
percent now to 14 percent by mid-year 1993, simplified import
documentation and procedures, and lowered tax rates on
remittances of profits abroad. Concurrently, the Collor
Administration has made considerable progress toward restoring
relations with the international financial community. Brazil
reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund in
January 1992 for a $2.1 billion standby loan, and renegotiated
its debt with the Paris Club (governmental lenders) in
February. These developments bode well for Brazil's chances of
reaching a rescheduling agreement with its commercial bank
creditors later this year.
</p>
<p> After a slow start, the pace of Brazil's privatization
program is picking up. Several major steel, petrochemical,
fertilizer, and transportation equipment companies likely will
be sold this year. The Collor Administration has proposed
changes to Brazil's constitution to allow privatization in the
telecommunications, electrical energy, oil, and gas sectors.
Brazil's congress likely will vote on these changes this year.
</p>
<p> Even though Brazil's constitution bars telecommunications
privatization, new telecommunications regulations have opened
cellular telephony, value-added services, and satellite data
communications to private sector involvement. Similarly, new
laws and regulations will dramatically open Brazil's tightly
restricted computer market to imports and foreign investment in
November. Economic and trade reform and improved international
financial relations, coupled with privatization and
deregulation, mean that opportunities for U.S. business in
Brazil are dramatically improving. Best prospects for exports
to Brazil are: electronic components, aircraft and parts,
industrial chemicals, computers/peripherals and software,
laboratory and scientific instruments, mining industry
equipment, automotive parts and service equipment,
telecommunications equipment, medical equipment and supplies,
and industrial process controls. Recent import liberalization
has created new markets for imported consumer goods such as
sporting equipment, cosmetics, automobiles, and processed foods.
In addition, changes in tax policies have improved conditions
for franchising services, which should grow rapidly over the
next few years.
</p>
<p> The Department of Commerce has scheduled the following trade
events this year to take advantage of export opportunities in
Brazil: Paper, Packaging and Graphics Arts USA'92, May 4-9;
Electrolectronics USA'92, May 26-29; Envinontec USA'92
(pollution control equipment), June 6-14; Food Processing and
Packaging USA'92, June 23-26; Productivity Instrumentation
USA'92 (laboratory and scientific instruments), Aug. 4-7;
Compute USA'92, Sept. 14-18; and Study USA'92 (continuing
education services), Sept. 17-23.
</p>
<p> For additional information on commercial conditions and
business opportunities, contact the Brazil Desk at (202)
482-3871.
</p>
<p>Source: International Trade Administration, Business America Magazine
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>