Northern Brazil

1. Northern Brazil Business – Economy – Environment - Culture - Government

2. General Info • Area: 3.9 million km2 / 45% • Population: 11.3 million • GDP: 9.6 billion US$ • Climate: Equatorial (↑ temperatures and ↑ annual precipitation) • Economy: Iron, Energy production, Electronics, and Natural Resources • Largest Cities: Manaus, Belém, Ananindeua, Porto Velho, Macapá, Santarém, Rio Branco, Boa Vista, Palmas

3. Continued… • Last region to be given importance by the Brazilian government • Least inhabited • Minor contribution to national GDP and population • Composed of states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins

4. Northern Brazil-Business Methods- Ordem e Progresso"Order and Progress"

5. Culture of Business • English is widely spoken in the Brazilian business world • “Women in the Workplace” is not seen as an issue, women have very few problems with colleagues • Negotiations emphasize valuing people and relationships. Therefore you get to know your business partners before “getting down to business” • They really like business cards.

6. Zona Franca • Despite location, there appears to be a sincere commitment to growth in Northern Brazil. • Specifically, Zona Franca, located in Manaus (of the Amazonas state) is an area dedicated to industry. • The Brazilian government has made this a duty free zone therefore enticing industry. • The culture of business therefore is one of hopeful progress. According to the Brazilian statistical bureau Amazonas had the highest growth rate of any Brazilian state at 21.8% in 2005

7. CCE • A major industry in the Zona Franca has become the electronics industry. • CCE-comercializar componentes eletrônicos (trade electronic components) is a major electronics company prospering in Zona Franca • Supplying a lot of electronics to China, other countries look for business from companies like CCE because its location makes import/export less expensive

8. Economy • The economy in the North depends largely on the exploitation of the rainforest • Little manufacturing or farming contributes to the economy. • Electronics Industry and Iron production starting to develop

9. Primary Industries • Majority of exports depend on the products of the rainforest • Rubber, fruits, nuts, herbs, and timber comprise a large portion of the products in the North • Mining and fishing also contribute a small percentage to the economy

10. Continued… • Very little agriculture is done in the North • Forests have been cleared for crops, but near constant rainfall has eroded the soil to where agriculture is near impossible

11. Environment • Amazon Rain Forest • 42% of Brazil (3.6 million sq km) • More species of plants, fish, and mammals than any other country • Destruction • Environmental Consciousness • Climate

12. Environment • Floodplain • Seasonal rainfall patterns • Flooded Forests • Forests grow no more than 20 m • Dry Land • Terra Firme • Aquatic Plants

13. Culture • Shaped by the Portuguese and Native Indians, African population, and settlers from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia • Accents, dialects, and slang vary regionally • Officially a Catholic country – 74% Roman Catholic • Popular food includes white rice and black beans with steak, chicken, or fish • Local markets sell embroideries, potteries, ceramics, wood-carvings, and dolls

14. Continued… • Soccer • Brazilian Carnaval • Samba • most popular rhythm • mixture of Spanish bolero and African Music • Lambada • internationally popular • influenced by Caribbean rhythm

15. Brazilian Government • Federative Republic – national government has much greater power than local • Constitution established in 1988, establishing three branches of government • State and local governments have similar system, but much less power

16. Political Parties • 14 major political parties in Brazil • Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) is Brazil’s largest political party • Liberal Front Party (PFL) is second largest party and holds center-right views • Parties often form alliances for elections • The Workers’ Party (PT) has found power in the last few years • President Lula is a founding member of the Workers’ Party, a labor party

17. National Representation • 3 representatives from each state in the Federal Senate • 7 states account for 65 of 513 seats in representative Chamber of Deputies • - 8 from six of the states • - 17 from largest state of Pará • Governors of each state hold most local powers and have little power to tax

18. North’s Influence on National Politics • Elections are by popular vote, so North Brazilians have less impact than more populated regions • Peoples of the North are more rural and removed from the national political picture • Industries and economy drive political views of citizens • Evidenced by growth of Workers’ Party

19. Porto de Santos

20. Super Seaport Stats • ¼ of the products traded by Brazil move through the port of Santos • The port is completely privatized, therefore it works in the best interest of its companies and the economy • The port is only getting larger with 24 areas already in use and another 27 on the way • Despite size, the seaport runs efficiently due to a meticulous operations center. In hopes of increasing efficiency, a tunnel is being built beneath the port linking the two sides. • www.portodesantos.com

21. Continued… • 41 million tons of material move through the Port of Santos every year • 4 thousand ships pass through the port each year • The global area of the Port of Santos is 7,765,100 m2 • 55% of Brazils GDP comes from the influence of the port has on surrounding cities such as Sao Paulo

22. COOL STUFF www.portodesantos.com

23. The End