Brazil is a giant in all senses. It is the largest Latin American country with a population of 188 million. It is by far the continent's largest economy, producing 40% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its purchasing power is the 9th largest in the world. It is predicted to become one of the 4 most dominant economies by the year 2050.

Gone are the days of instability. With low interest rates and controlled inflation, Brazil´s economy is transforming and the boom time has arrived. Financial leaders are praising today’s politicians with declarations that they’ve never had a government so committed to the capital market. Interest rates are at an all-time low, inflation is stable and with increased credit and more jobs, investor confidence is high and gaining momentum. Brazil has broad-based growth in many markets and is exporting widely. An increase in production, savings, credit and jobs has led to an attractive and profitable private sector and investment is flooding in. Confirmation of this can be seen in the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa). 2006 saw market capitalisation rise by 37% to 1.54 trillion Reais ($723 billion) and 26 Initial Public Offerings. In the first 2 months of 2007, Bovespa raised more capital than Hong Kong.

Brazil is set to become an investment-grade country as early as 2008 following an upgrade to its credit rating in late 2007. Analysts representing Credit Suisse attributed the decision, which significantly boosted Brazil’s financial markets, to “faster-than-expected improvement in the fundamentals of the Brazilian economy.” This news confirms that Brazil is now one of the most stable countries in South America - to date only Mexico and Chile have achieved investment grade - and that the confidence placed on President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is justified, as he looks for faster economic growth and opportunities to take advantage of the global economy.