Brazil is the largest national economy in Latin America, the world's tenth largest economy at market exchange rates and the ninth largest in purchasing power parity (PPP), according to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; with large and developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool. The country has been expanding its presence in international financial and commodities markets, and is regarded as one of the group of four emerging economies called BRIC.
Brazilian exports are booming, creating a new generation of tycoons. Major export products include aircraft, coffee, automobiles, soybean, iron ore, orange juice, steel, ethanol, textiles, footwear, corned beef and electrical equipment. The biggest investment boom in history is under way and Brazil launched a four-year plan to spend $300 billion to modernise its road network, power plants and ports. Brazil's booming economy is shifting into overdrive, with biofuels and deep-water oil providing energy independence and the government collecting enough cash to irrigate the desert and pave highways across the Amazon Rainforest. Brazil had pegged its currency, the real, to the U.S. dollar. However, after the East Asian financial crisis, the Russian default in 1998 and the series of adverse financial events that followed it, the Brazilian central bank temporarily changed its monetary policy to a managed-float scheme while undergoing a currency crisis, until definitively changing the exchange regime to free-float in January 1999.
Brazil is an emerging market with regard to property investment and many believe with the changes taking place in Brazil will continue to strengthen the poperty market throughout the coming decade and beyond. Brazilian real estate is priced at a relatively low figure as compared to many other emerging markets and while property can still be found that is very low priced the main focus has been on off plan new construction of resorts, gated communities and beach front located upscale developements that foreigners can feel at ease in.
Many gated private communities are springing up along the shores - particulary in the North Eastern sector of Brazil from Natal to Fotaleza. A housing shortage in Brazil means that investing in residential projects will not only supply the local born market but will also provide housing to those who wish to settle in Brazil either permantley or for part of the year. The climate is ideal for those wishing to have warm but not stiffling heat for a year round lifestyle. |
