During a debate cycle with the theme “Economic Challenges for 2019”, the Special Secretary of Trade and Foreign Affairs of the Brazilian Ministry of the Economy, Mr. Marcos Troyjo, stated that the government will promote the opening of the Brazilian economy in the next four years, by means of bureaucratic simplification, tax reduction, and negotiations. The first stages of this process will involve adjusting the country's production capacity in order to prepare it to face international competition. Leveling the field, correcting past mistakes and reducing the cost of doing business in Brazil are some of the measures that need to be taken before Brazil can benefit from higher volumes of trade.

The Secretary highlighted that trade still accounts for only a small percentage of Brazil’s GDP, so the focus will be on increasing the trade flow as a whole, including imports. According to him, the greatest competitive economies of the world not only export a lot but also import a lot. He cited many examples of countries that based their development strategies on increasing trade with the world, such as Germany, Japan, China, Chile, Spain, Singapore, and South Korea. The focus for Brazil will be nevertheless in competitively inserting Brazil into the world economy and not simply opening the country to global trade.

In a different event, the Special Secretary of Productivity, Employment and Competitiveness, Mr. Carlos da Costa, conveyed a similar message. During the board meeting of Sebrae, the institution that supports micro and small businesses in Brazil, Mr. Costa stated that the government intends to increase competitiveness and competition in the Brazilian market, especially through technical qualification and managerial aptitude. He also highlighted the importance of investments in innovation, of opening the market and of investing in the digital economy.  

Source: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Services of Brazil