According to data recently released by the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES), the Information Technology industry has grown 4.5% in 2017, reaching US$ 38 billion. This places Brazil as the 9^th largest investor in the world and the biggest in Latin America, concentrating 39.1% of all IT investments in the region. Considering the whole ICT sector by adding the investments in Communications sector, figures reach US$ 105 billion in the last year. In 2017, Brazil was the 6^th global market for Information and Communications Technology.

Following to the recovery path estimated for Brazilian economy in 2018, ABES considers the IT sector will maintain its growth above 4% by the end of the year, with special focus on Cloud and Big Data Analytics technologies.

Such results are being stimulated by the Brazilian government, which launched the Brazilian Strategy for the Digital Transformation focusing on the adaptation of Brazil into a digital economy. One of the main tools designed to encourage IT entrepreneurs is the financial mechanisms provided by the National Bank of Development (BNDES). In March, the bank released a new financial line that allows small and medium-sized enterprises to purchase on-demand software with the BNDES Card adhering to subsidized interest rates. BNDES Card can also be used for website and e-commerce development services, contributing to increasing the share of ICT sector in Brazilian GDP.

Source: Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES)