BRAZIL

A Report on Cultural & Business

Aspects of Brazil
World’s third biggest developing
nation
 Physical Details
• LOCATION :
Eastern South America, bordering the

Atlantic Ocean.
• Area:
• Total: 8,511,965 sq km
• land: 8,456,510 sq km
• water: 55,455 sq km
• largest country in South America; shares
common boundaries with every South
American country except Chile and
Ecuador.
• Capital: The capital of Brazil is Brasilia.
 Population & Demographic
Features
• Total Population: 198,739,269
• Age structure:
• 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244)
• 15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725)
• 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.)
• Median age:
• total: 28.6 years
• male: 27.8 years
• female: 29.3 years (2009 est.)
• Urbanization:
• urban population: 86% of total population (2008)
• rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
• Sex ratio:
• at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
• total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
• 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)
• Religions:
• 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)
• Languages:
• Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less
common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools),
German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor
Amerindian languages
• Literacy:
• definition: age 15 and over can read and write
• total population: 88.6%
• male: 88.4%
• female: 88.8% (2004 est.)
• School life expectancy (primary to tertiary
education):
• total: 14 years
 Political Framework
• Brazil is a democratic country it gained
its freedom from Portuguese in 1822
but remained under Monarchy till
1889 under Dom Pedro II.
• Brazil saw a period of dictatorship from
1930-1945.
• Luiz Inacio da Silva, commonly known
as Lula, was elected president in
2002, after his fourth campaign for
the office. He was re-elected in 2006
for a second four-year term.
• There are 11 independent parties in
brazil in different regions.
 Economic Facts & Figures

• Stock Exchange : Rio De Jenario stock exchange

• Economy: Mixed
• CURRENCY : Real
• GDP: purchasing power parity: $1.836 trillion
• GDP - real growth rate: 5.4%
• GDP - per capita: $ 9,700
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6%
• Labor force: 99.47 million
• Exports: $160.6 billion .
• Exports - partners: US 14.2%, China 9.2%, Argentina
8.3%, Germany 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3%
• Imports: $120.6 billion f.o.b.
• Imports - partners: US 20%, China 8.9%, Argentina
8.1%, Germany 7.6%
• Major Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement,
 Cultural Factors
Making appointments:


• Brazilians conduct business only through personal

connections. Hire a Brazilian contact in your industry
that can help you make the right connections [known in
Portuguese as a 'despachante'].
• Make appointments of any kind at least two weeks in
advance. Showing up at an office without an
appointment is unacceptable in Brazilian business
culture.
• Poor punctuality is characteristic of Brazilian
business culture. You will have to accept that waiting
around for your Brazilian counterparts will be part of
doing business here.
• Always arrive on time for a business meal or meeting
at a restaurant. Usually, Brazilian business protocol
demands punctuality on these occasions.
 Dressing & Conversation
• Appearance is vital in any business culture, however in Brazil the
subtle differences are more acceptable; for instance you may
wear jeans and a nice shirt and blazer to a meeting and
be totally accepted. Men should wear dark suits in black,
charcoal gray, or navy blue. Again depending on the
industry.
• Wardrobe options for women include conservative dresses,
suits, pantsuits, skirts, and blouses. While you should
dress conservatively, strive for an elegant, rather than
'frumpish', appearance.
• Maintain steady eye contact at all times; it is considered
impolite to break eye contact. People stand closely in front of
each other, even when talking. Brazilians are a gregarious
people and as such they like proximity.
• Attempting to direct or monopolize a conversation is
frowned upon. Make an effort to learn different words and
phrases--don't worry about making mistakes. Brazilians will
appreciate your efforts even if your vocabulary is limited.
• Topics to Avoid
Ethnic and/or class differences ,politics, Argentina, Brazil's
main rival. [Only if you are discussing soccer, but Argentina is
one of Brazil's great business partners in Mercosur.] Criticizing
 Gifting
• A relaxed social situation is the best time to present
a gift. Do not give anything that is obviously
expensive. Your generosity will only cause
embarrassment or be misinterpreted as a bribe. Small
electronic items are often appreciated. Good choices
include scientific calculators, electronic address books
and day-timers, pocket CD players, and pocket radios.
• Avoid giving items in black or purple handkerchiefs
are associated with funerals. Gifts of knives, scissors,
or letter openers are interpreted as the severing of
a close bond. Avoid practical gifts, since they may be
perceived as too personal.
 Business Norms
• In Brazilian business culture, English is widely spoken.
Women business travelers will have few problems
dealing with male colleagues in Brazil. Be aware that
it will probably take several trips to bring the
negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion. Changing
your negotiating team can jeopardize the entire
contract and is a major breach of Brazilian
business protocol. Moreover, you will have to
emphasize that you value people and relationships over
business.
• With the exception of Sao Paulo, Brazilian business
culture generally has a slow pace and an informal
atmosphere. Expect an air of formality, however, during
initial meetings.
• Placing an emphasis on increased power and status,
rather than money, is sometimes an effective negotiating
strategy. Be prepared to discuss all aspects of the
contract at once rather than methodically, “point-by-
point.” Never leave as soon as a meeting is over.
• Brazilian business culture is intensely hierarchical;
 Public Norms
• The "O.K." sign [using your first finger and thumb
to form a circle] is considered vulgar.

When things are going well, it's acceptable to

use the "thumbs up" sign.
 SWOT ANALYSIS OF BRAZIL
STRENGTHS WEAKNESS
Brazil is endowed with extensive and varied natural To achieve sustainable growth, structural reforms
resources and its economy has been diversifying. will be necessary — notably in education, social
Manufactured products represent a growing security, the employment market, taxation
proportion of production and exports. A lack of investment has resulted in deficient

The capacity to cope effectively with international energy, rail, road, port and airport infrastructure
financial market volatility has increased. with public/private partnership difficult to set up.
Brazil's domestic market potential and competitive Brazil remains exposed to fluctuations in world

labor costs enhance its attractiveness to foreign prices for certain commodities
investors.

Opportunities Threats
Median population is 27-28 years. Lack of Leadership after 2010 as

Fast growing economy. no effective leader after LULA.

Due to high level of de forestation

natural calamities and oil spills are

an eminent danger of natural
calamity.
