Brazil Business in Brief - Embaixada do Reino dos Países Baixos

Brazil Business in Brief
December 2012
Brazil Business in Brief is a publication of the Dutch Economic Network in Brazil composed of the
Embassy in Brasília, the Consulates-General in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and the Netherlands
Business Support Offices in Porto Alegre and Recife.
The publication provides a selection of news and developments in Dutch priority areas in the Brazilian
economy. It is shared with public and private entities with special interests in Brazil. It is put together
on the basis of publicly available information from various sources such as news articles, press
releases and third party information.
The Dutch Economic Network in Brazil, however, is not responsible for the accuracy of the published
information.
Inhoud
1. Algemeen
Brazil in Numbers
Grote economische missie van 175 bedrijven en onderwijsinstellingen, legt vijfdaags bezoek
aan Brazilië af
Dutch Mission meets Santa Catarina’s Technology
Brazil’s economy stalled, A long-awaited recovery still fails to materialize
Brazil Inflation Will Continue to Slow in 2013
The Pernambuco model
Investments in steel industry stay ‘on hold’
Cities Aren’t Ready for Natural Disasters
Top four Brazilian provinces
Coordinated Efforts to Sell: State Government to invest R$ 24 million to structure hubs
Brazil’s development pragmatism advances
After municipal elections, political agenda shifts to national politics
Project to revitalize Recife´s old quarter is under way
Brazil leads BCG ranking of standard-of-living improvements
2. Agribusiness
Hemobrás starts distributing biologic sealants
3. Olie en gas
Fuel price hike expected still this year
4. Sport
Pernambuco will participate in the 2013 FIFA Confederations
FIFA World Cup 2014
World Cup Urban Transportation Projects Not Funded
5. Transport en Logistiek
Record sales in the Pleasure Boats market
Een boot is een must voor rijke Brazilianen.
Plannen havensector
National Environment Institute gives green light for new port in Bahia
Aviation
Line 6 Metro in São Paulo
6. Vakbeurzen in Brazilië
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
1
1. Algemeen
Brazil in Numbers
On 14th December, the Central Bank released data from its Index of Economic Activity (IBC-BR) for
the month of October: +0.36% that was a considerable improvement over the negative result for
September (-0.52%) that impacted on the meager GDP result for 3rd Q/2012. Over the past 12
months, this indicator posted a +1.52% increase and in the first ten months of 2012 +1.57%. Cepal
estimates that Brazil’s 2012 GDP will be +1.2% while the IMF says +1.03%. The 23 economists
surveyed by Bloomberg News expected a +0.30% increase in the IBC-Br in October.
Growth in Brazil: the region's largest economy, slowed to 2.7% in 2011. This was the worst
performance among the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China), and a sharp slowdown following the
7.5% expansion registered in 2010. The economy remained weak in the first half of 2012, particularly
manufacturing, where output contracted in each of the first five months of the year. Industrial
production grew in August by 1.5% month on month, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the third
consecutive positive result, accumulating gains of 2.3%. Although in year-on-year terms output was
2% down in August, sequential gains in June-August suggest that a turning point in Brazil's economic
cycle has been reached. We maintain the view that monetary easing and stimulus measures will bring
about an upturn in the second part of 2012.
The Banco Central do Brasil has cut the Selic policy rate from 12.5% in August 2011 to a historical
low of 7.25% in October 2012. Further cuts are possible if Brazil's economy remains sluggish, but
forecasts assume that following the cut in October a gradual monetary tightening cycle will begin in
the first half of 2013. Interest rate cuts have contributed to a marked weakening of the Real since
March, which has boosted the profitability of commodity exporters and provided manufacturing with
some relief from import competition. Tax cuts and credit measures (including increased lending by
public-sector banks) will also provide a fillip to private demand and help the sector to work through
its inventory overhang.
As the business cycle picks up, GDP growth will reach 4.2% in 2013, boosted by carryover effects.
Annual growth rates of 4% are achievable in the medium term, assuming a stabilization in developed
economies. But this performance will be weaker than during Brazil's 2004-10 spurt (when GDP
growth averaged 4.5% annually), as several factors will be less supportive, including a deceleration in
labour force growth, a tighter jobs market, weaker Chinese growth (dampening the incremental gains
in the terms of trade Brazil enjoyed in recent years) and slower credit growth.
In a World Bank report on the middle class in Latin America, Brazil was listed as having a middle class
equal to 32% of the nation’s population.
The poor were listed as 28% of the total and the upper class as 3% with the remaining 38% classified
as “vulnerable.” This was defined by the World Bank as meaning that these persons could slip back
into poverty. The vulnerables, the report stated, are those with a greater than 10% chance of falling
below the poverty line in the next five years.
On 23rd October, the World Bank released its annual report “Doing Business” that ranked 185 nations
regarding the ease/difficulty of doing business. Last year, Brazil was ranked 126th but in 2012
dropped into 130th rank. In the 1st rank nation (Singapore) a new business can be opened in 3 days
while in Brazil it takes 119 days.
Berlin-based Transparency International released its CPI-Corruption Perception Index for 2012 on 6th
December. Brazil received a score of “43” on a zero-to-100 scale where 100 is the “least corrupt”.
Since 2011, Brazil improved from when it was ranked 73rd. In 2008 Brazil was ranked 65th. In this
2012 index, Brazil was tied with South Africa and Macedonia in 69th rank.
Sources: Brasil Focus, NBSO Recife / Diário de Pernambuco, www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results
and http://www.doingbusiness.org/reports/global-reports/Doing%20Business%202013
Grote economische missie van 175 bedrijven en onderwijsinstellingen, legt vijfdaags
bezoek aan Brazilië af
Van 18 tot en met 23 november bezocht een economische missie Brazilië. Parallel aan deze missie
brachten Prins Willem-Alexander en Prinses Maxima een officieel bezoek aan Brazilië om waar
mogelijk deze missie te ondersteunen. Ook de Minister-president van Aruba, Eman en ambtelijke
vertegenwoordigers van Curaçao en Sint-Maarten sloten zich aan bij het grootste deel van het
programma. In deze vijf dagen werd door de officiële delegatie een intensief programma afgelegd in
Brasilia, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte en Rio de Janeiro. Dankzij
vele ontmoetingen met ministers, gouverneurs, andere autoriteiten en vertegenwoordigers van de
private sector werd nadrukkelijk de aandacht gevestigd op hetgeen de BV Nederland in Brazilië te
bieden heeft.
In Brasilia waren er verschillende gesprekken, o.a. met de staatssecretaris van het ministerie van
Handel en Industrie, waarbij het belang van mondiale voedselzekerheid benadrukt. Minister Ribeiro
Filho kondigde aan dat begin volgend jaar Braziliaanse inspecteurs Nederland zullen bezoeken
teneinde ons inspectiesysteem voor zuivelproducten te analyseren, een reeds lang gekoesterde
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
2
Nederlandse wens. Goedkeuring van dit systeem zou de export van zuivelproducten naar Brazilië
aanzienlijk vergemakkelijken.
Tijdens het gesprek met minister Gleisi Hoffmann (kabinetschef president Dilma, die op bezoek was in
Spanje), Havenminister Leonidas Cristino en viceminister van Luchthavens Guilherme Ramalho
memoreerde minister Hoffman haar recente positieve bezoek aan de Haven van Rotterdam.
De delegatie woonde vervolgens het einde bij van een Hoger Onderwijs seminar, georganiseerd door
NUFFIC met haar Braziliaanse counterparts. Staatssecretaris Sander Dekker benadrukte het belang
dat Nederland hecht aan het “Science without Borders” programma, waaronder 2500 Braziliaanse
studenten een tijdje in Nederland kunnen studeren.
In Ribeirão Preto werd ondanks het feit dat het een vrije dag was het door de USP georganiseerde
seminar “Future of Food Business” goed bezocht. Ook bezocht de delegatie het Nederlandse bedrijf op
het gebied van dierlijke genetica CRV Lagoa, marktleider in Zuid-Amerika.
In São Paulo vond een intensieve kennismakingsbijeenkomst met alle tien sectoren plaats en
brachten de kroonprins, staatssecretaris OCW en delegatie op woensdag een bezoek aan de expositie
“My Waste is Your Waste”, over en met gerecycled materiaal. De kroonprins sprak vervolgens de
slottoespraak uit op een bij FIESP (werkgeversorganisatie van de staat Sao Paulo) georganiseerd
seminar over biobased Wetenschap&Technologie. In deze toespraak lichtte hij de knowhow van hoog
niveau toe, die Nederland in deze sector te bieden heeft, en de belangstelling die Nederland heeft om
meer met Brazilië samen te werken.
In Rio de Janeiro bezochten de kroonprins en prinses Maxima o.a. een seminar over sport en industrie
in het “Maracanazinho”. Op de laatste dag vond er een jachtbouwseminar plaats en werd er een
een bezoek gebracht aan het hoofdkantoor van Petrobrás.
Naast deelname aan het hoofdprogramma, kende het programma van staatssecretaris OCW een
divers programma van ontmoetingen met Braziliaanse (vice-)ministers, vertegenwoordigers van
lokale overheden, universiteiten en onderzoeksinstellingen en ondernemers in met name de creatieve
sector. Hij bezocht ook Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais voor een ontmoeting met de staatsregering en
kennismaking met de hoger onderwijsinstellingen van die regio.
Bron: Ambassade van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, december.
Dutch Mission meets Santa Catarina’s Technology
Santa Catarina’s technology caught the attention of a group of 35 Dutch entrepreneurs who joined
the trade mission to Brazil in November. Organized by the Netherlands Business Support Office
(NBSO) in the south of Brazil, the 19th of November was reserved for meetings with representatives
of the Government of Santa Catarina, a visit to the Sapiens Science Park and Fiesc (Federation of
Industries of the State of Santa Catarina). Matchmaking with entrepreneurs in the technology
industry in Santa Catarina took place in the afternoon. Several companies left the match making
session with interesting business leads. The Mission participating in this event, the TechN-Ventures
Mission visited several regions of Brazil including Santa Catarina and focused on some of the
Netherlands’ promising sectors; ICT technologies concerning the environment, nano-technology,
communications, electronics, biotechnology, biofuels, life sciences and new materials. The mission
also highlighted opportunities for those who desire to know the Brazilian market.
Source: Honorary Consul Curitiba, December.
Brazil’s economy stalled, A long-awaited recovery still fails to materialize
Brazil’s third-quarter figures published on November 30th were a shock. The government had
convinced independent economists that a weaker currency, lower interest rates, and a cut in sales tax
on cars and white goods would prompt a healthy expansion of 1.2% compared with the previous
quarter. In the event, the figure was just 0.6%. The national statistics institute also slashed its
estimate of second-quarter growth, from 0.4% to 0.2%.
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
3
The numbers were “disappointing”, admitted Mr. Mantega. But recovery, he insisted, is on the way:
4% growth will come next year, with 5% in 2014. Few now believe him. Analysts are slashing their
predictions (see chart). Add last year’s anaemic 2.7% and Brazil is seeing its worst growth
performance in over a decade.
The nastiest surprise was the fall in investment, despite the government’s efforts to lower business
costs. The Central Bank has reduced the policy interest rate from 12.5% in mid-2011 to a record low
of 7.25%; it has also pushed state banks to cut spreads and to lend more. A tax on foreign-currency
inflows and the Central Bank’s interventions have engineered a fall in the painfully strong real of
around 20% since February. The government has cut payroll taxes for manufacturers, promises a big
cut in electricity tariffs, and has turned to the private sector to ease transport congestion.
The only good news for the government was that consumption by households is still growing, albeit at
a slower pace than in the recent past. That, and keeping inflation under control, are the recipe for
political popularity in Brazil.
Source: The Economist, December 8.
Brazil Inflation Will Continue to Slow in 2013
Brazilian inflation will continue to slow to the central bank’s target next year, Deputy Finance Minister
Nelson Barbosa announced. Consumer price increases will slow even as service inflation remains
above the average, Barbosa said at an event in Porto de Galinhas, in Brazil’s Pernambuco state.
President Dilma Rousseff’s administration has revamped efforts to spur the economy while keeping a
lid on inflation in the world’s second-largest emerging market. Brazil’s gross domestic product will
grow 1.03 percent this year, the lowest among major emerging markets, according to a Brazilian
central bank survey. Annual inflation has remained above the central bank’s 4.5 percent target for
over two years and accelerated in November to 5.53 percent, even as economic growth flagged.
Since August 2011, authorities have cut taxes for both companies and consumers, reduced
benchmark interest rates to record lows and announced plans to lure billions of reais in infrastructure
investments to spur Brazil’s economy, which grew 0.6 percent in the third quarter, half the pace
forecast by economists. Last week, authorities said they would extend payroll tax reductions to the
construction sector. Government officials are considering cutting taxes on venture capital funds, as
well as payroll tax cuts in additional industries such as the service sector, Barbosa said.
Brazil will work to fulfill promises of reducing energy costs by 20 percent next year. “Electricity is as
important as interest rates and exchange rates,” Barbosa said.
Rousseff said in France this week that she would maintain the current course of economic policy,
adding that the government will work to boost manufacturing and increase competitiveness.
Brazil’s government is maintaining forecasts of at least 4 percent GDP growth next year, Finance
Minister Guido Mantega said last week. The world’s sixth-largest economy expanded 2.7 percent last
year, down from 7.5 percent in 2010.
Source: Bloomberg News, December 14.
The Pernambuco model
Pernambuco is one of Brazil’s fastest-growing states. Once Europe’s most lucrative Atlantic colony, it
languished for centuries. Revival began with a new port at Suape, south of Recife. Its hinterland is
now a sprawling industrial complex. Some 40,000 workers are building a vast oil refinery and
petrochemical plants for Petrobras, the state-controlled oil company. A new shipyard and wind-power
plants rise among the mangroves.
Suape is a monument to federal money, industrial policy and an alliance between Lula and Eduardo
Campos, Pernambuco’s ambitious governor. But the state’s boom goes wider. Rising incomes have
helped Mr Campos attract private investment. Fiat is to start work on a car plant beside the main
road north of Recife. A host of smaller food, textile and shoe factories are now setting up in the
state’s poor interior, including Timbaúba. While the rest of Brazil worries about deindustrialization,
Pernambuco does not: since Mr Campos became governor in 2007, industry’s share of the state’s
economy has risen from 20% to 25%, and will reach 30% by 2015, he says.
Mr Campos won a second term in 2010, and his Brazilian Socialist Party did well in this month’s
municipal elections, in Pernambuco and beyond. He is nominally an ally of Dilma Rousseff, Lula’s
successor as president. But he is also a potential threat to her winning a second term at the 2014
election.
Source: The Economist, October 27.
Investments in steel industry stay ‘on hold’
As the world economy slows down, one of Brazil´s important industries starts feeling the effects and
its consequences. Some of the major industries (especially those who were aiming at the
international steel market) are re-evaluating their investment plans. Currently it is estimated that
there is a global steel surplus of 500 million tons, the result of a production capacity that is presently
by far exceeding international demand. Among those who are reviewing investments are ArcelorMittal and Usiminas. The former has cancelled the construction of a new plant in Santana do Paraíso
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
4
in Minas Gerais, in the amount of US$ 5,7 billion, while the second has shelved plans to build a new
US$ 1,2 billion facility in its João Monlevade plant also in Minas Gerais. Vale, Brazil´s largest mining
concern, who was driven into the steel production business under pressure by former President Lula,
currently has four projects. Only one, CSA in Rio de Janeiro (together with German Thyssen Krupp) is
operational. Of the other three, two (Companhia Siderúrgica de Ubu – CSU in Espírito Santo and Aços
Laminados do Pará - ALPA in the northern state of Brazil) have been suspended or are being
significantly slowed down due to the lack of interest of international potential partners. The only
project in which Vale holds a 50% share which is currently under construction is Companhia
Siderúrgica de Pecém in Ceará, together with South Korean companies Posco and Dongkuk Steel.
This project should become operational in 2015.
There are two other important Brazilian steel industries which have also decided to maintain their
investments on track, they are CSN and Gerdau. The former a traditional producer of laminated steel
is now building a plant to produce long steel products, while Gerdau, a traditional producer of long
steel products is building a plant to build flat steel products. Investments in these two new plants
together amount to US$ 3,6 billion.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife / O Globo, October 21.
Cities Aren’t Ready for Natural Disasters
Few of Brazil’s cities are prepared to deal with natural disasters, according to the results of a survey
conducted by IBGE. The statistic agency’s 2011 profile of Brazilian cities showed that only 6.2% of
them have any planning to deal with disasters or to prevent them by reducing the risk areas where
citizens live. This was shown clearly in January 2011 when massive mudslides and flash floods killed
nearly 1,000 residents of mountain cities outside of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil’s worst natural disaster.
Out of the 14 cities affected by that tragedy, only four had any disaster plans.
Source: Globo.com, November 14.
Top four Brazilian provinces
A survey made by the Intelligence Unit of the Economist Group in UK, and published by magazine
Veja, shows a comparison on business climate among Brazilian states.
Top four provinces are Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul.
Source: Veja,
http://veja.abril.com.br/multimidia/infograficos/ranking-de-gestao-dos-estados-brasileiros
Coordinated Efforts to Sell: State Government to invest R$ 24 million to structure hubs
One of the priorities in Rio Grande do Sul’s development policy is to support the Local Productive
Arrangements (LPA)- working agreements between companies, employees and institutions in the
same segment and geographic region.
The goal is to increase the chances of survival and success. The State Government wants to invest R$
24 million in structuring arrangements with great potential to generate jobs and income.
Through the Chains and Local Productive Strengthening Program, a pilot project supported five LPAs
during the term in power of Tarso Genro (current governor) in the fashion industry, gems, and
jewelry, postharvest and metal mechanics sector. This year, another 7 economic sectors benefited
from another call tender. The goal is to fund 20 LPAs by 2013. “Our strategy is to incentivize
leadership and strengthen relationships between companies and institutions,” says program
coordinator and director of the Rio Grande do Sul Development Agency (AGDI), Sérgio Kapron.
Twenty-seven institutions make up the State Nucleus of Transverse LPA actions, which promotes
synergy between the private and public participants.
The activity has opened new markets through collaborative sales representation at trade shows and
on international missions.
Last September Rio Grande do Sul had its own stand at Frankfurt Auto Mechanic Trade Show in
Germany because of the automotive LPA. Thanks to the State representatives of Santa Catarina the
state acquired a new BMW plant. Rio Grande do Sul state has GM (full plant). The most recent new is
that the Renault Group, visited Porto Alegre to decide if they will open a new plant for the ‘electric
car’. The decision will depend on new Federal rules for this car type
The Caxias do Sul metal-mechanic cluster is considered one of Brazil’s most important economic
centers: with an annual revenue of R$ 21.2 billion, its 2.900 companies generate 70.000 jobs in 17
cities around Caxias do Sul.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Porto Alegre, December.
Brazil’s development pragmatism advances
President Dilma Roussef´s participation in Spain’s 22nd Ibero-American Summit held in Cadiz in
November, had a twofold purpose: to put across her views on the EURO crisis and the importance of
the role of the state to promote economic growth (thereby stimulating the economy and social wellbeing); and to announce the firm intent of Brazil´s federal government´s plans to go ahead with
some major structural infrastructure projects such as the high speed train linking Rio de Janeiro, São
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
5
Paulo and Campinas (the two largest metropolitan and industrial regions of Brazil); new concessions
to the private sector regarding port development; and massive investments in new railways and
highways. In short her message to Europe was: “we have been able to keep economic growth and
expect to stimulate it even more in 2013 by means of our government’s development policies”. It is
political pragmatism.
In 2013, public tenders amounting to (estimated) US$ 60 billion should be held for the railway and
highway construction projects. Two thirds of this sum should be directed to railway infrastructure.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife / Valor Econômico, November 20.
After municipal elections, political agenda shifts to national politics
The recently elected mayors haven’t even had the opportunity to try their new office chairs and
politics have already shifted to national interests. Political analysts try to figure out the impact of the
outcome of the local elections on the next round of elections. In 2014, new representatives will be
chosen for the state and national parliaments as well as new governors and president. Current trends
point at three names for presidency. They are President Dilma Roussef, in case she runs for reelection; Aécio Neves, former Governor and currently Senator for Minas Gerais; and Eduardo Campos,
at present Governor of Pernambuco after having been reelected in 2010. Odds are that there will be
other candidates, however, for the time being analysts are betting their cards on these names. Dilma
is likely to run for a second term as she is restructuring her coalition and strengthening her political
position. Neves is running for his party‘s (PSDB) presidency; and Campos (PSB) is initiating his
political engineering to assess how far his political muscle will take him in the coming electoral
dispute. Given the very large number of political parties (approximately 30), the regional interests,
and the personal aspirations of all major political players, the next round of electoral politics promises
to be tough.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife, December.
Project to revitalize Recife´s old quarter is under way
Since having been chosen as one of the cities to host the Confederations Cup in 2013 and the World
Cup in 2014, authorities in Recife are struggling to get as much of the revitalization plan completed
before these coming historic milestones. The urban intervention project includes the transformation of
old harbor warehouses in new overhauled buildings with specific functions such as a handicraft
shopping mall and restaurants. Some old buildings have been torn down and are being replaced by
new edifices which will house a museum (Museu Luiz Gonzaga), a cruise ship terminal, a hotel with
convention facilities and a marina.
Besides these initiatives, city authorities have created incentives for the small businesses to open
shop in the region, as well as for urban dwellers to occupy the old buildings, many of which are
abandoned by their current owners. If this project develops as expected by city officials, by 2014 the
old district of Recife will enhance new vibrations.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife, December.
Brazil leads BCG ranking of standard-of-living improvements
Brazil is the country that best used the economic growth it reached to raise the standard of living and
its population’s well-being. The GDP grew at an average rate of 5.1% between 2006 and 2011, and
social gains obtained in the period are similar to those of a country that registered yearly GDP gains
of 13%. The conclusion is from a study carried out by international consultancy Boston Consulting
Group (BCG), which compared economic and social indicators from 150 countries and created the
Sustainable Economic Development Agency, known as SEDA, based on 51 indicators collected from
the World Bank, IMF, UN and OECD. In this comparison of recent progresses, Brazil leads the index
with a score of 100, attributed to the country that obtained the best results in these assessment
criteria. Next are Angola (98), Albania (97.9), Cambodia (97.5) and Uruguay (96.9).
The study used data available for all countries and that allowed the creation of a comprehensive
panorama of ten different areas of economic and social development, including: income, economic
stability, jobs, income distribution, civil society, governance (includes political stability, freedom of
expression, property rights, low level of corruption, among other items), education, health,
environment and infrastructure.
According to BCG’s survey, Brazilian performance over the last years regarding improvements to the
population’s quality of life is mainly due to income distribution. “Brazil considerably lessened the
income gap between rich and poor over the last decade. At the same time, the number of children in
school went to 97% from 90% since the 1990s, says the text of “From wealth to well-being,” officially
released on Monday. The study also refers to Bolsa Família, the federal government’s family welfare
assistance project, stating that the government’s help to poor families is tied to keeping children in
school.
Christian Orglmeister, from BCG’s São Paulo office, says Brazil’s performance is commendable, but
should be eyed with caution. “When starting from a lower level, it is easier to show progress in a
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
6
certain period of time. Brazil is a lot better than five years ago in several areas, even in
infrastructure, but still needs to advance a lot.”
The study also made a more specific analysis about recent progresses by Brics countries – Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa – in the generation of more well-being for its citizens. In
regards to economic expansion, Brazil trailed behind its peers between 2006 and 2011, but it also
outdid the average obtained by the bloc in areas such as environment, governance, income, income
distribution, jobs and infrastructure.
Source:
http://www.theinformationcompany.net/2012/11/brazil-leads-bcg-ranking-of-standard-of-livingimprovements/
2. Agribusiness
Hemobrás starts distributing biologic sealants
In the federal government´s quest to enable Brazil to become less dependent on foreign sources of
blood derivatives, Hemobrás’ unit in Goiana (Pernambuco) will be distributing biologic sealants (used
in surgeries) made from human plasma. An initial lot of the (highly valuable) substance will be of 3,4
liters, and will cost approximately R$ 400.000, which represents approximately R$ 133 per milliliter.
In the international market the product is sold for R$ 1000 per milliliter. Practically all of the first lot
will be destined to the public hospitals. Currently Brazil imports approximately five liters per year,
being the greater part used in the private hospitals. As of this initiative, according to official sources,
Brazil is on its way to become self-sufficient in terms of blood derivatives. Full scale production of the
new plant in Goiana (Pernambuco) is expected to occur only in 2014.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife /Diário de Pernambuco, October 23.
3. Olie en gas
Fuel price hike expected still this year
Given the end of this year´s electoral season and a slump in Petrobrás’ results, analysts expect the
federal government to give the company a green light for the badly needed gasoline price increase.
As a result of excessive political meddling Brazil´s government controlled petroleum company has
been facing difficult times, stark criticism from market analysts, from the press and nervousness from
the stock markets. Despite huge increases in operating costs, escalating debt and increase in full time
employee headcount, oil production in September plunged to 1,844 million barrels per, the worst
performance since 2008.
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
7
The meager output combined with relatively low prices has occurred after changes in Brazil´s legal
framework regarding oil exploration, higher local content requisites and massive investments in
CAPEX. All together, these conditions explain a decrease in cash generation and subsequent decrease
in share value when compared to March / April 2012.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife/Valor Econômico, October 30.
4. Sport
Pernambuco will participate in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup
Strategically planned as a dress rehearsal for the 2014 World Cup, the cities that will be hosting the
next Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013 were officially announced in October. To the great delight of
all Pernambucanos, Recife, the State´s capital was chosen as one of the host cities. Other host cities
besides Rio de Janeiro with its famous Maracanã are Fortaleza and Salvador in the Northeast, Brasília
(Brazil’s capital city) and Belo Horizonte (in the state of Minas Gerais). All these cities are either
overhauling their stadiums (Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro), or building brand new arenas
(Brasília, Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador). The northeastern capitals are performing well in this
competition. The Castelão stadium in Fortaleza was inaugurated on December 16. Then comes
Salvador´s Fonte Nova, which is scheduled to be inaugurated in March 2013. Recife, will inaugurate
its new stadium in April 2013. The main tests will not be the stadiums themselves but everything that
comes along with the broader project, including quality and functionality of airports and
accommodation infrastructure, as well as safety and transport to and from the arenas. The challenge
continues.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife, Diario de Pernambuco, November 9 / Globo.com
December 15.
FIFA World Cup 2014
SEBRAE (the Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises) has reported that micro,
small and medium enterprises have already achieved R$ 50 million in business from the 2014 FIFA
World Cup Brazil. SEBRAE estimates that this value should reach an amount of between R$ 60 million
and R$ 100 million in contracts up to the beginning of the World Cup, in 18 months’ time (Portal
Brasil).
Source: Brazil weekly, December 14.
World Cup Urban Transportation Projects Not Funded
Funding for urban mobility projects planned for the 2014 World Cup is running far behind schedule.
According to the Ministry of the Cities, out of R$7.2 billion (US$3.5 billion) in planned investments for
urban transportation projects in the 12 cities that will host games, as of Sept. 15 only R$711 million
(US$346 million) had been released.
Thus far, projects in only four cities have begun—Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Recife and Curitiba.
Although stadium projects are for the most part on schedule, there is growing concern that the urban
mobility projects will not be finished on time and may have to be abandoned. The other area of
concern for the World Cup is the status of the airports that serve the host cities.
Source: Brasilinform, November 21.
5. Transport en Logistiek
Record sales in the Pleasure Boats market
Not only have Brazilians spent more money on imported and locally made luxury goods as well as
international holiday trips, but the acquisition of boats and yachts has also risen significantly.
According to Acobar (Brazilian Association of Boat Builders) in 2011 the industry recorded an increase
in sales of 37%, reaching an overall amount of approximately US$ 800 million. Some reasons for this
impressive performance are the low base from which this statistic originates, a slump in demand in
traditional markets (North America and Europe), as well as the increase of the wealthy and very
wealthy segments of the Brazilian population. Import of pleasure boats attained a record US$ 220
million in 2011. As a result, in 2012 the country raised (boat) import duties from 20% to 35%. The
underlying objective was to stimulate construction of boats and yachts in Brazil. Apparently this move
from the Brazilian federal government is producing the expected results. Currently 10 foreign boat
builders have come to Brazil in an attempt to build their products locally. The largest name, American
Brunswick, is expected to start operating their new yard in Joinville, Santa Catarina (SC) by the end
of this year, in what will be their 11th production facility in the world. French Beneteau has already
started production in its new facility in Angra dos Reis (nearby Rio de Janeiro). Italian Azimut-Benetti
has spent R$ 30 million to build its own plant in Itajaí, also in Santa Catarina. For another Italian
yacht builder, Ferretti, Brazil has become crucially important since almost a third of their overall sales
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
8
come from their Brazilian facility in Vargem Grande (SP). Cranchi, Sessa Marine and Rio Yachts (also
Italian) have also come to Brazil, and so has Astondoa from Spain.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office Recife/Valor Econômico, October 22.
Een boot is een must voor rijke Brazilianen
De jachtbouwers en hun toeleveranciers zijn in november naar Brazilië gekomen met de Nederlandse
handelsmissie. ‘De watersport staat hier nog in de kinderschoenen’, zegt Farouk Nefzi van de Hiswa,
de belangenvereniging van de watersport. ‘Brazilië wordt steeds rijker en de mensen hier waarderen
luxe. Het land heeft miljoenen kilometers aan kustlijn. De tijd is rijp voor de Nederlandse
jachtbouwsector om hier in te stappen.’‘Brazilianen zijn gericht op status’, zegt Christina Norris. Ze is
een Nederlands-Braziliaanse en ontwerpt jachtinterieurs. Zij begeleidt de Nederlanders deze week op
hun trip. ‘Eerst ga je voor een mooi huis, dan wil je de auto en dan is het tijd voor een jacht als je
geld hebt’, zo schetst Norris de volksaard. Maar watersport in de zin van een ontspannen strijd met
de elementen, kennen Brazilianen nog amper. ‘De smaak van de Brazilianen is nu nog Amerikaans’,
zegt Daan Balk van de gelijknamige werf op Urk. ‘Ze houden van snelle speedboten, met flink wat
herrie en kabaal.’ De scheepswerf houdt zich bezig met een ander segment in de markt, want Balk
bouwt het liefst grote houten zeiljachten, bijvoorbeeld driemasters.
Met de superjachtbouw zijn dermate grote bedragen gemoeid dat de klant niet over één nacht ijs
gaat. Daarbij wil de klant zich vaak met alles bemoeien, tot aan het doucheputje toe. Daar gaat veel
tijd in zitten. Productie in Brazilië is nog moeilijk. De jachtbouw is dermate gespecialiseerd dat de
kennis daarvoor in Brazilië op dit moment nog ontbreekt.
De potentiële Braziliaanse klandizie heeft zeker wat hordes te nemen. Zo zullen velen onder een
andere vlag varen, omdat het aankoopbedrag voor een jacht een keer over de kop gaat door de
importheffingen. Op een bedrag van € 50 mln scheelt dat een slok op een borrel. Ook is
milieubescherming een rem op de ontwikkeling van jachthavens. ‘Er liggen veel bijzondere riffen voor
kust’, zegt Gerwin Klok van de Koninklijke Metaalunie. ‘En om de jachthavens te kunnen aanleggen,
moeten er golfbrekers aangelegd worden. De Braziliaanse overheid is zeer terughoudend met het
geven van vergunningen.’
Feiten en cijfers; Varen in Brazilië
10 Aantal grote jachthavens in Brazilië (in Nederland circa 654)
2,5mrd Omzet totale watersportindustrie in Nederland, van jachthavens tot scheep- bouwers en
toeleveranciers
400mln Huidige omvang Braziliaanse jachtbouwindustrie
39 Aantal miljardairs in Brazilië, dagelijks komen er 6 à 9 miljonairs bij
Bron: Financieel Dagblad, 1 december 2012
Plannen havensector
Tijdens een druk bezochte openbare bijeenkomst heeft president Dilma op 6 december de plannen
van de regering voor de Braziliaanse havensector gepresenteerd. In een eerdere fase werden reeds
de voornemens m.b.t. het wegennet en de spoorwegen onthuld, en nog voor het einde van het jaar
zullen de vliegvelden aan de beurt komen, zo verklaarde president Dilma. De totale investeringen
voor de havensector die werden aangekondigd bedragen BRL 54 miljard (ongeveer € 20 miljard). Van
deze totale investeringen zal BRL 31 miljard worden besteed in de jaren 2014/2015, het restant in de
periode 2016/2017.
Daarnaast zal ook nog eens BRL 2,6 miljard worden geïnvesteerd in toegang tot de waterwegen via
spoor- en wegvervoer en verkeerspleinen.
Het is nadrukkelijk de bedoeling om ook private investeerders meer in de havens te interesseren, via
concessieverleningen. Daarvoor biedt de Nationale Ontwikkelingsbank (BNDES) deze investeerders
een financiering tot 65% aan met een gesubsidieerd rentepercentage.
De voornaamste doelstelling van deze investeringen is het efficiënter maken van de havens. Het gaat
er niet zozeer om de tarieven zo laag mogelijk te krijgen, aldus president Dilma, belangrijker is het
vergroten van de vrachtoverslag, meer operationele efficiënte en de concurrentie tussen de terminals
te vergroten om de vrachtprijzen te verlagen.
Dit is ook de filosofie die zal worden gehanteerd bij het verlenen van nieuwe concessies aan 5
havens, waarvan drie nieuw: Porto Sul (Bahia), Aguas Profundas (Espirito Santo) en Manaus
(Amazone). Het criterium voor de veilingen zal een combinatie zijn van de grootste vrachtoverslag
voor het laagste tarief en niet meer het verdienmodel met voorkeur voor zo groot mogelijke
inkomsten uit de te verlenen vergunningen.
Het Palacio do Planalto heeft er alle vertrouwen in dat het dankzij deze investeringen mogelijk zal zijn
te voldoen aan de groeiende vraag in de Braziliaanse havens, die volgens het Nationaal Plan van Port
Logistiek tussen 2009 en 2030 zal oplopen van 258 miljoen tot 975 miljoen ton.
President Dilma wil ook alle 54 openbare terminals veilen. Aanvankelijk was er onzekerheid binnen de
overheid of zou worden overgegaan tot veilen of verlenging van contracten. Een van de belangrijkste
obstakels voor de constructie voor nieuwe privé-terminals is ook geëlimineerd, namelijk de eis van
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
9
het bezitten van genoeg eigen vracht van de bouwende onderneming. Vanaf nu kan ook vracht van
anderen worden meegerekend.
Ook de regelgeving inzake het gebruik van loodsen wordt versoepeld, volgens de nieuwe regels
kunnen schepen geladen tot maximaal 5 ton zonder loods een haven binnenvaren. Tot nu toe was dit
3 ton. Ook het aantal loodsen zal worden opgekrikt, teneinde de wachttijden bij havens te verkleinen.
Op het gebied van baggeren zal ook het nodige veranderen. Kennen de toegekende opdrachten op dit
moment een looptijd van 5 jaar, dit zal worden opgekrikt naar 10 jaar. Dit zal het makkelijker maken
om deze baggerwerkzaamheden beter te plannen, en aldus effectiever te maken, aldus president
Dilma. Alle baggercontracten zullen in 5 bundels worden gegroepeerd, met in iedere bundel
verschillende havens. De investeringen in nieuwe baggercontracten zullen naar verwachting BRL 1,1
miljard beslaan.
Om de implementatie van deze plannen effectief te laten verlopen kondigde president Dilma ook een
aantal institutionele wijzigingen aan. Het Havenministerie van minister Leônidas Cristino, geplaatst
binnen de Presidencia, zal meer macht krijgen. Naast het uitbreiden van de verantwoordelijkheid voor
de toezichthouding op de havenoperaties in het land, zal het Havenministerie ook het Nationaal
Agentschap voor Waterwegen (Antaq) en de jurisdictie over de havens van rivieren en meren
overnemen van het Ministerie van transport. Er zal een nationale commissie gekoppeld aan het
Havenministerie worden opgezet die loodsdiensten in havens zal gaan reguleren.
Bron: Ambassade van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, December.
National Environment Institute gives green light for new port in Bahia
IBAMA, the country’s federal environment authority has given mining company BAMIN (Bahia
Mineração) the green light to initiate the construction of a new port in the south of Bahia, known as
Porto Sul. This infrastructure project is of as great an economic importance as it is of an
environmental concern. Environmentalists in Brazil have voiced their apprehension regarding the final
impact on what is considered to be one of the most well preserved natural areas of Bahia. The port
will take approximately 5 years to be constructed and will serve as Bahia’s iron ore export outlet. The
mineral will come from a mine in the hinterland (near Caetité) approximately 760 km from the coast.
A new “west-east” railway is being built and will have as final destiny the new port. It will link other
regions of Brazil´s rich interior to the sea. The basic concept of this deep water harbor is based on a
3500 m ocean pier which leads to an offshore iron ore loading terminal. Other berths will allow other
vessels to dock simultaneously and agricultural products such as soybean, ethanol, fertilizers will
make use of the new port facility.
Source: Netherlands Business Support Office/Valor Econômico, November 18.
Aviation
The federal government wants to make Brasilia International Airport a central hub for air traffic in
Latin America. The strategy will take a step forward if the Federal District government manages to
approve a bill to reduce the rate of ICMS value added tax from 25% to 12% for aircraft refueling.
President Dilma Rousseff said her country will build some 800 regional airports and open more
regional air routes in a bid to boost transportation infrastructure. “Some people in Brazil can travel
only by air. We want cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants to have an airport within 60 kilometers,”
she said at a business seminar in Paris.
Source: brasil.gov.br & Xinhua
Line 6 Metro in São Paulo
Government of São Paulo State and World Bank are calling for proposals for the international bidding
of Line 6 Metro with 15,3 km extension and 15 stations, 640 thousand passengers per day.
Concession for 25 years. Bidding document will be published the end of 2012.
http://www.stm.sp.gov.br/images/stories/temporarios/folder_english.pdf
http://www.stm.sp.gov.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3700%3Avideo-linha-6laranja&catid=160%3Aplanos-e-projetos&Itemid=517
6. Vakbeurzen in Brazilië
InfraBrasil Expo & Summit
São Paulo, January 28-29, 2013
www.infrabrasilsummit.com.br
Feicon Batmat - International (infrastructure fair)
São Paulo, March 12-16, 2013
www.feicon.com.br/en/The-Fair/Presentation/
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
10
Brasil Road Expo 2013 - Road Infrastructure
São Paulo, March 19-21, 2013
www.brazilroadexpo.com.br
CeMAT South America (International Materials Handling and Logistics Trade Fair)
Sao Paulo, March 19-22, 2013
cemat-southamerica.com.br/en
Expoagro Afubra - Agricultural Fair of Technologies, Products and Services
Rio Pardo, March 20-22, 2013
www.afubra.com.br/
FIEE - International Electrical, Electronic, Energy & Automation Fair
São Paulo, April 1-5, 2013
http://www.fiee.com.br/
Intermodal South
Intermodal South America (transport en logistiek)
São Paulo, April 2-4, 2013
www.intermodal.com.br
Laad Security (International Defence and Security Fair)
Rio de Janeiro, April 9-12, 2013
www.laadsecurity.com
Intersecurity (urban security fair)
São Paulo, April 16-18, 2013
www.intersecurityexpo.com.br
Rio Boat Show 2013
Rio de Janeiro, April 25 – May 1, 2013
www.rioboatshow.com.br
Agrishow, International Trade Fair for Agricultural Technology in Action
Ribeirão Preto, April 29 – May 3, 2013
www.agrishow.com.br/
Feira Biomassa e Bioenergia - Biomass and Bio-energy Fair
Florianopolis, May 14-16, 2013
www.feirabioenergia.com.br
Hospitalar (International Products, Equipment, Services and Technology Fair for Hospitals,
Laboratories, Pharmacies, Clinics, and Exam Rooms)
São Paulo, May 21-24, 2013
www.hospitalar.com
Airport Infra Expo (Latin American Airport Infrastructure Seminar & Exhibition)
São Paulo, May 22-24, 2013
www.airportinfraexpo.com.br
Brasil Offshore - International Offshore Oil & Gas Trade Show and Conference
Macaé - Rio de Janeiro, June 11-14, 2013
www.brasiloffshore.com/
Fispal Tecnologia (International Food and Beverages Industry Packaging, Processes and Logistics
Fair)
São Paulo, June 25-28, 2013
www.fispaltecnologia.com.br
Fispal Food Service (International Out-of-Home Dining Products and Services Fair)
São Paulo, June 25-28, 2013
www.fispalfoodservice.com.br
Expo Aero Brasil – EAB (International Aeronautical Fair)
São Paulo, July 11-14, 2013
www.expoaerobrasil.com.br
Frutal 2013, International Week of Fruit Crops, Floriculture and Agribusiness
Fortaleza, September 9-12, 2013
www.frutal.org.br
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
11
Verdere informatie over beurzen en tentoonstellingen in Brazilië zijn te vinden via de volgende link:
http://www.brasilglobalnet.gov.br/ARQUIVOS/Publicacoes/CalendarioFeiras2013p.pdf
Voor vakbeurzen op het gebied van agro-business, zie:
http://brazilie.nlambassade.org/producten-endiensten/landbouw/landbouw/minbuza%3Ashare/beurzen---fairs---feiras-e-exposicoes.html
Brazil Business in Brief
http://brasil.nlembaixada.org/
12